Jesus Christ Superstar, with Wedding Singer's Maroulis, Begins June 13

By Andrew Gans
June 13, 2008

Constantine Maroulis — the "American Idol" finalist who was seen in Broadway's The Wedding Singer and Off-Broadway's Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris — stars in the Premier Theatre Company's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which begins performances June 13.

Maroulis, seen on the fourth season of Fox TV's "American Idol," portrays Judas in the production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical at the Henderson Theater in Lincroft, NJ. The cast also features Joseph Russo (Jesus), Tara Beams (Mary), Joe Necci (Pilate), Spiro Galiatsatos (Simon), Peter C. Cappello (Peter - select performances), DJ Brown (Peter - select performances), Jay Casale (Caiaphas), Matt Morales (Annas), Aaron Fried (Herod), Bre Cade (Soul Girl), Jade Cintron (Soul Girl), Stevi Incremona (Soul Girl), Natasha Kurilew (Soul Girl), Jenn Nelson (Soul Girl), Deseree Spinks (Soul Girl), Jason Arellano (Apostle), Alfred Califano (Apostle), Billy Cardone (Apostle), Joseph DeMaio (Apostle), David Destro (Apostle), Anthony Preuster (Apostle) and Anthony Younes (Apostle) with Greg Chianetta, Keely Davenport, John Gallagher, Michelle Mazzei, Anna Oleinik, Sean Rempel and Raymond Saada.

Performances will continue at the New Jersey venue through June 28. Mark Fleming produces and directs Superstar with co-direction by Jay Casale and music direction by Anthony D'Amato.

Jesus Christ Superstar, with a score by Lloyd Webber (music) and Rice (lyrics), debuted on Broadway in 1971. The musical dramatizes "the excitement caused by [Jesus'] message, his betrayal, his trial before Pontius Pilate, and his ultimate sacrifice." Superstar features such songs as "Everything's Alright," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Gesthemane" and the title tune.

A Brooklyn native, Constantine Maroulis is a graduate of both the Boston Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music. He trained as an apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and appeared as Roger in a tour of Rent. In addition to his performances on "American Idol," he has also been seen on "Law & Order: SVU" and in several independent films. Maroulis played an engagement at the Public Theater's Joe's Pub as well as a stint in Broadway's The Wedding Singer and Off-Broadway's Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Tickets are available by calling (732) 774-7827 or by visiting www.premiertheatre.com.

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The Premier Theatre Company season will also feature productions of Damn Yankees (July 11-27) and The Fantasticks (starring 2007 Miss New Jersey Amy Palumbo and Richard Herzog, Aug. 1-10).