THEATRE + COMEDY

Tony-winning Broadway veteran Ben Vereen, who received his first Tony Award nomination for playing biblical traitor Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, will return to the rock opera as Pilate in a limited Houston run this August. The Musical Theatre of Houston will present the two-performance engagement of Superstar Aug. 19-20 at the Wortham Brown Theatre. Aaron Callies will direct and choreograph.

In addition to Vereen as Pilate, the principal cast will include Sam Brown as Jesus, Jacqueline Grady as Mary Magdalene and Tommie Harper as Judas.

Jesus Christ Superstar has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The sung-through rock work premiered on Broadway in 1971.

A Tony Award winner for his role in Pippin, Vereen has also appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair and I'm Not Rappaport. He was also featured in the television miniseries "Roots.

The Musical Theatre of Houston is a new professional theatre organazation founded by director/choreographer Aaron Callies. The rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, will be the first production in the Wortham Brown Theatre to make use of its brand new high tech moving stage lights! The Musical Theatre of Houston’s web site is www.mtohouston.net.