“Jesus Christ Superstar” has been a hugely successful stage production in several runs over the years, and a new arena tour studded with stars looked to be no exception. Starring John “Johnny Rotten” Lydon (of the Sex Pistols), Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd, and JC Chasez of ‘N Sync, the production was set to kick off a 54-city tour in New Orleans on June 9, but producers have reportedly killed it without explaining why.
According to the website: Options Clause Entertainment LLC, an affiliate of S2BN Entertainment, announced today the cancellation of the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular Tour. The tour was scheduled to kick off in New Orleans on June 9. All purchased tickets will be refunded. Tickets purchased online and via telephone will be automatically refunded. Tickets purchased from outlets/venue box office must be returned to that location for refund.
Ben Forster, who was to play Jesus in the production, took to Twitter to vent his frustration over the show’s cancellation, saying he was devastated.
I am so devastated. I'm sorry to everyone who got tickets and flights..Who ever fucked it up I hate u . But #IforgiveU #imjesus..wellwas x
— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) May 30, 2014
Thank u all for the amazing supportive messages. I am feeling very positive about what's next. Jcs has been amazing. Thanks to all of u. X
— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) June 1, 2014
Michael Cohl–who worked on the controversial, injury-laden production of “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark”–was a producer for the tour, and had said recently that the cost of the show was in the eight figures, meaning it would have to take in several hundred thousand dollars a night to stay afloat. However, there has been no indication that cost was a factor in the production being pulled.
Image via YouTube