CASTING details have just been released for the big AIS Arena “Jesus Christ Superstar” due to hit Canberra in early June.

Following on from what has become a local tradition, the two main roles of Jesus and Judas have been cast from out of town and the rest of the parts will be taken by local luminaries, including Jenna Roberts, who will play Mary Magdalene.

Luke Kennedy, who shot to fame in 2013 as Ricky Martin’s grand finalist on season two of “The Voice Australia”, gets to play Jesus. Kennedy is a seasoned musical theatre performer, with performances in ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Chicago’, Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Grease’. He has also played Jesus in five productions across Australia of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. He has declared himself ‘thrilled’ to be coming to the AIS Arena.

Judas, the antagonist (some say the most interesting character in the musical) will be played by Michael Falzon, the Sydney rock tenor and producer who runs his own production company, Good Egg Creative. Falzon is known for his roles in ‘Rock of Ages’, Jeff Wayne’s musical version of ‘The War of The Worlds’ and ‘Hedwig and The Angry Inch’. He appeared in the Australian leg of ‘The Music of Queen: Rock and Symphonic Spectacular’ in Sydney and Perth.

The rest of the production is all homegrown. A collaboration under the aegis of Pee Wee Productions (director, Stephen Pike, musical director Ian McLean and publicist, Coralie Wood), it will also feature the talents of award-winning costume designer Anna Senior, in what ‘CityNews” hears will be a “classical” approach.

With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Jesus Christ Superstar” premiered on Broadway in 1971 and was seen in the 1972 Harry M. Miller/ Jim Sharman production at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre with Trevor White as Jesus, Jon English as Judas and Michele Fawdon as Mary Magdalene.

“Jesus Christ Superstar”, at AIS Arena 7.30pm, June 2-6, matinees June 6 at 1.30pm and June 7 at 5pm. Early bird tickets now on sale at ticketek.com.au or 132849.