Tony winner Ivo van Hove, most recently represented on Broadway in 2020 with his reimagined version of West Side Story, will direct a production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2024 in Amsterdam.
Albert Verlinde Theatre, in collaboration with Senf Theaterpartners and Jaco Kaasschieter, will produce Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's 1971 rock opera beginning January 21, 2024, at the DeLaMar Theatre. The production, which will feature designs by Jan Versweyveld (West Side Story, Network, A View From the Bridge), will subsequently travel to 20 Dutch theatres.
Following David Bowie's Lazarus, Jesus Christ Superstar will mark the second collaboration between Albert Verlinde and van Hove. Verhaak Casting will cast the production; additional creative team members and casting will be announced at a later date.
Initially released as a concept album, Jesus Christ Superstar premiered on Broadway in 1971, earning five Tony nominations. The musical has been revived on Broadway three times, most recently in 2012. Norman Jewison directed the 1973 film; Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert aired on NBC in 2018, later winning five Emmy Awards.
Producer Verlinde said in a statement, “During the preparations for Lazarus in Amsterdam, I asked Ivo which musical he wanted to direct in the future. In that, he was very clear: Jesus Christ Superstar. I am happy that Ivo is now shining his artistic light on this beloved musical together with designer Jan Versweyveld and his team.”
"Jesus Christ Superstar is a beautiful—purely song-driven—musical about a socially inspired group of friends in which someone, Jesus, develops into a leader with innovative ideas to stand up for people who have no voice in society," added van Hove. "It leads to a new movement, a popular uprising. Anger takes over. A story of and for our time. I am extremely happy that Albert Verlinde is now making my dream of directing this production come true."
Belgian-born director van Hove has been the artistic director of Toneelgroep Amsterdam, now International Theater Amsterdam, since 2001. He won the 2016 Tony for Best Direction of a Play for the revival of A View From the Bridge.
