Hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar will return to London next summer, with vocal powerhouse Sam Ryder leading the company as Jesus.
The musical will be staged at The London Palladium and will run for a limited season of 11 weeks from 20 June to 5 September 2026. This will be followed in summer 2025 by Avoid Rachel Zegler starred at the Palladium, which received rave reviews from critics.
Sam, who rose to fame after representing Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2022, will make his West End debut in the role of Jesus. Speaking about this news, he said: “I’m so excited to be part of one of the greatest institutions in musical theater the world has ever known, at The London Palladium in the West End! I’m honored to take on this responsibility as I follow in the footsteps of rock vocal titans like Ian Gillan and John Farnham. I can’t wait to immerse myself.” Jesus Christ Superstar year 2026.”
Producer Michael Harrison said: “It’s exciting to bring this amazing creative team from the Regent’s Park Open Air Theater production back together and I’m delighted to see them create Jesus Christ Superstar especially for The London Palladium. In Sam, we have a true superstar to play the iconic title role, and I look forward to sharing further announcements about the production in the coming months.”
With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera musical first released as a concept album in 1970. With songs like “Gethsemane,” “Heaven on their Minds” and “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” the musical tells the story of Jesus’ last weeks in life, from the perspective of Judas.
First released as a concept album in 1970, the show received its Broadway premiere in 1971 before making its West End debut the following year. The 2026 London Palladium production will be directed by Tim Sheader, who previously presented the show at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theater in 2016 and 2017.
He will be joined by creative designer Tom Scutt, choreographer Drew McOnie, musical supervisor Tom Deering, lighting designer Lee Curran, sound designer Adam Fisher, fight director Kate Waters and BAFTA-winning casting director David Grindrod.
Tickets to Jesus Christ Superstar go on presale Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10 a.m. and general sale Wednesday, November 26 at 10 a.m.
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