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An updated version of 鈥淛esus Christ Superstar,鈥� complete with graffiti, leather and drugs, will launch the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Little Theatre鈥檚 95th season.

First performed in 1971, the show is loosely based on the Gospels, following the last week of the life of Jesus Christ. The show will run from Friday, Aug. 30, through Sept. 15.

鈥� 鈥楯esus Christ Superstar鈥� has never been done at ALT before,鈥� said director Brian Clifton. 鈥淚t felt like a great time to do a classic rock opera.鈥�

Clifton has placed the story, as told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, in 2024, complete with issues such as mental illness.

鈥淓veryone looks like people you see today,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got women playing male characters; we鈥檝e got a woman playing King Herod.鈥�

Judas is the only character who sees where everything is headed, Clifton added. 鈥淧eople are getting out of control and the power and the money are getting out of control.鈥�

A live band will accompany the music and lyrics of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

The musical explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire. The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as 鈥淪uperstar,鈥� 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Know How to Love Him鈥� and 鈥淕ethsemane.鈥�

Thirty people will helm the stage.

鈥淭his is actually the biggest cast ALT has ever had,鈥� Clifton said. 鈥淲e wanted to start out with something big. This show has always been on my bucket list to direct.鈥�

The director set the musical in an encampment with an abandoned train station.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to be climbing on (the train), dancing and singing,鈥� he said of the cast. 鈥淲e wanted this gritty kind of feel. Jesus went after the people who were disenfranchised, the people who had no home.鈥�

Clifton, whose parents introduced him to musicals through 鈥淪uperstar鈥� when he was little, also directed ALT productions of 鈥淕rease,鈥� 鈥淪ongs for a New World,鈥� 鈥淪hrek鈥� and 鈥淗ead Over Heels.鈥�