The Texas Jesus Christ Superstar will close Dec. 12. The Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musicalization of the life of Jesus Christ began performances Nov. 30.

In this staging by Scott Thompson and Richard Byron, Sean McDermott and Danny Zolli will be Jesus and Judas in the Austin Musical Theatre's production at the Paramount Theatre.

McDermott most recently performed the role of the American chess player, Freddy, in the Alliance Theatre's revival of Chess. He appeared on Broadway as Danny in the most recent revival of Grease!, as Chris in Miss Saigon and in Starlight Express, playing Rusty on the tour of the same show.

Zolli returns to Judas, a role he covered in the North American tour of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neely and Carl Anderson. Zolli's other theatrical credits include Che in Evita and Tobias in Sweeney Todd.

Other cast includes Paul Ainsley, playing Herod, the role he created in Broadway's Jesus Christ Superstar, Mona Caywood as Mary Magdalene, Richard Kinsey (Javert in Les Miserables) as Caiphas, James Beeks (Ragtime, Smokey Joe's Cafe) as Simon and Greg Holt (Les Miserables) as Pontius Pilate. Rounding out Superstar are Blake Yelavich, Jesse Galvan, Lloyd Lamb, Michael McKelvey, Mark Rosholt, Kevin Archambault, David Ponton, Shirley Reynolds, Matthew Tatus, Michael Word, Aubrey Vale Lindquist and Laura A. Walberg.

Christopher McCollum designed the set with rock concert styled lighting by Tony Tucci and costumes by Neal Teguns.

Tickets are $45-$15 and available by calling STAR Tickets at (512) 469 SHOW. The Paramount Theatre is located at 713 Congress Avenue.

-- By Christine Ehren