Jesus Christ Superstar | Australia
Cast
/ Creatives
Michael Paynter
Jesus
(Sydney and Melbourne)
Michael Paynter has been a significant part of the Australian music industry landscape since first appearing in the clubs of Melbourne in 2004. He has been an international recording artist with Sony Music Worldwide, culminating in several top 20 singles and the multi-platinum Love The Fall (featuring The Veronicas) in 2010.
He has recorded albums in Los Angeles and the UK, and written and worked with the best of the best the world over. He has toured extensively in Australia and internationally, sharing arena and stadium stages with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Seal, The Script and 5 Seconds of Summer, as well as legends such as John Farnham and Hall and Oates. After more than a decade of creation and achievement, his name has become synonymous with quality, consistency and passion.
As a session musician, Michael is currently a full-time member of classic Australian band Icehouse, as well as the guitarist and vocalist in Australian icon Jimmy Barnes’ band, and performs live with Bachelor Girl, Killing Heidi, Delta Goodrem, Reece Mastin and many others. Michael was also music director for The Veronicas from 2013-2020, touring with them all over Australia/NZ, Europe, US and Asia. When not on tour, he is one half of MSquared, the 2023 ARIA Award-winning, Melbourne-based songwriting and production team currently making waves both here in Australia and internationally.
www.michaelpaynter.com
Robert Tripolino
Jesus
(Perth)
Robert is an Australian actor, composer and producer who has been calling London and Australia home for the last few years. In the UK, Robert most recently played the role of Marius in Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning West End production of Les Misérables.
Robert is really excited to reprise the role of Jesus, having previously played the role in the London Barbican Centre run of this production in 2019. Robert is not a stranger to the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, having played the role of The Man in Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind. Prior to this, Robert had success internationally as a performer with various productions and shows including playing Roger in Johnathan Larson’s hit musical Rent at the iconic Sydney Opera House as well as touring Australia in Disney’s hit musical Aladdin in the role of Omar. Robert also had the pleasure of workshopping alongside Stephen Schwartz, performing the role of Sal in the UK premiere of Rags in Manchester.
As a writer, Robert has written Dreamsong, which premiered where he graduated (Victorian College of the Arts) in 2011 and then again at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show is currently being workshopped in London. His other writing credits include Guilty Pleasures, Death Suits You and numerous short works with Meerkat, a production company that adapts children’s literature for the stage in Australia. As a producer, Robert has created several shows in both London and Australia. His most recent works include his solo London concert, Midnight Somewhere.
Robert’s passion project sits in his home town of Geelong, where his family has been running and refurbishing the Palais Geelong theatre since 1997. For the theatre, Robert produced the show House of Dreams, a community project that celebrated the memory and community that the Palais Geelong created in its golden era from the 40’s to the 70’s. He is now working alongside historians to create an oral history text that gives readers the opportunity to deep dive into the history of the Palais Geelong and all the amazing acts that played there.
www.roberttripolino.com
@roberttripolino
Javon King
Judas
Javon King (he/him) is a Green Room Award-winning New York City and Melbourne based actor, singer and dancer. Some of his Australian theatre credits include Tristan/Young Man 6 in The Inheritance at fortyfivedownstairs, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at Chapel off Chapel (Green Room Award winner for Best Supporting Actor), and Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Australian tour of Hairspray (Crossroads Live), for which he received a Green Room Award nomination for his performance. Javon received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University in 2019.
Professionally back home in the US, Javon toured across the United States and internationally as Angel in the 20th and 25th Anniversary tours of RENT. His other credits include Henry/Jack understudy in Newsies and Mereb in Aida. Javon was also in a commercial for Hairspray Live! back in 2016 during the airing of the show! He is so grateful for this opportunity and to all of his friends and family back home for their continuous support of his dreams. Thank you to my amazing agencies, both back home in the US and in Australia!
@javond_king
Mahalia Barnes
Mary
Mahalia Barnes has been in and around music her entire life. Throughout her childhood years she was exposed to everything from Mahalia Jackson, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke to Ike + Tina Turner to Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder, all of which helped shape her into the powerhouse soul and blues vocalist that has jaws dropping every time she picks up a mic.
Mahalia has a unique ability to make her audience feel every word and note she sings. Fearlessly vulnerable and deeply connected to the songs she performs. Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates consistently play to capacity crowds around the country. They have toured nationally and internationally alongside artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Mavis Staples, Joe Bonamassa, Bryan Adams, Tom Jones and more.
The Soul Mates consists of a floating line up of some of Australia’s most respected and in demand players, often featuring Clayton and Lachy Doley on keys, Franco Raggatt on guitar, Benjamin Rodgers on bass and Warren Trout on drums. The Soul Mates love to play intimate stripped back shows as well as big gigs where the band will sometimes include a horn section, or special guest vocalists like Karen Lee Andrews, Jade MacRae and Prinnie Stevens – but no matter what format, every single show is powerful, dynamic and one of a kind. If you are fortunate enough to be a part of the audience, you’re sure to be captivated, invited into Mahalia’s world and taken on a journey.
Mahalia and the band have released three full length albums as well as several EPs since 2006. Their 2015 album, Ooh Yea – The Betty Davis songbook, entered the US Billboard Blues charts at #10, and the Australian ARIA Jazz charts at #5. Their latest release, Hard Expectations, features appearances from US blues greats Kirk Fletcher and Joe Bonamassa, with the title track penned by none other than Don Walker.
Mahalia is also an in-demand session vocalist and live backing vocalist across multiple genres, everything from jazz, soul and blues to rock n roll, pop and RnB. Mahalia has recorded, toured and collaborated with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Liam Gallagher, Beth Hart, George Benson, Robert Jon + The Wreck, Birds of Tokyo, Diesel, Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell to name a few.
Elliot Baker
Caiaphas
Elliot has recently featured as Don Attilio in The Phantom of the Opera (Opera Australia / Really Useful Group) in successful seasons at the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Arts Centre. His other credits include Monsieur Lefèvre and Don Attilio in The Phantom of The Opera on Sydney Harbour (Handa Opera / Opera Australia) and Male Swing in Friends The Musical Parody (SK Entertainment).
Elliot is thrilled to be a part of his favourite show telling the most important story ever told. Elliot would like to thank his family Lachlan, Wendy and Eliza Baker for their constant support, faith and love.
John O’Hara
Annas
Hailing from Perth and a graduate of WAAPA, John most notably earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He has played Ned Schneebly in the original Australasian production of School of Rock, Bernadette in Priscilla – Queen of the Desert, Rodney in Dusty, Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, Roscoe Dexter in Singin’ In The Rain, Peter in the South African production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the Father in Wicked and Henry Etches in Titanic. Most recently he played Phil Spector / Terry Britten in the original Australian production of Tina The Tina Turner Musical. Further highlights include The Who’s Tommy for Victorian Opera, Songs For A New World, Company, Rock of Ages, The Boy From Oz, Hair, Shout!, Leader Of The Pack, High Society, Oklahoma!, Grease, Cinderella and Peter Pan. John is a featured vocalist for internationally esteemed Queen tribute act Rock Rhapsody.
On radio, John is a regular presenter for ABC Radio Hobart and Northern Tasmania. He also provides content at ABC Sydney for nationally broadcast program, Nightlife. John is an established and sought after cabaret artist. Artistic Director, Alan Cumming selected John’s solo show #VAL – A Campfire Kiki With Mother for his 2021 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. An invitation subsequently followed to perform with Alan at Australia’s Club Cumming. His other solo works include Dedications, premiering at Adelaide Cabaret Festival and That’s Not Your Light, John! for the inaugural Perth International Cabaret Festival. John creatively directed the 2020 Crown Christmas Spectacular at Crown Theatre, Perth which subsequently led to his mainstage directing debut, Legally Blonde in the same theatre. John was engaged as the 2022 Festival of Voices Ambassador in Tasmania. John wrote and directed the 2023 50th year anniversary celebration, Come Play Cabaret for Wrest Point Casino in Hobart.
Joshua Dormor
Priest | Ensemble
Born and raised in Western Sydney, Joshua is an emerging performer with a clear passion for the arts. Graduating in 2023 from ED5 International, Joshua is proud to be making his professional musical theatre debut in Jesus Christ Superstar. In recent years, Joshua was given the opportunity as Dance Captain and to perform in segments of the Woolworths Carols in the Domain, perform onboard Sydney Showboats as the Male Dancer and feature in a variety of musicals with the esteemed Packemin Productions. Joshua is proudly represented by T&E Management.
Darcey Eagle
Mob Leader | Ensemble
Darcey is a Melbourne based performer who first showed an interest in music theatre after playing Sharon Percy as part of the child cast in Billy Elliot the Musical in 2008. They went on to train at Patrick Studio’s Australia where they obtained a Diploma in Music Theatre in 2014 and later studied at The Victorian College of the Arts, graduating in 2019 with a BFA in Music Theatre and as the proud recipient of the Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation Award that year. Their stage credits since include Columbia in the 50th Anniversary tour of The Rocky Horror Show, Sally Simpson in Victorian Opera’s Tommy and Dance Captain of the Australian tour of Cruel Intentions the 90’s Musical. Darcey is excited to share their love of storytelling through dance in this production of Jesus Christ Superstar!
Josh Gates
Ensemble
Originally from Hobart, Josh started their career understudying the role of young Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz, starring Hugh Jackman. They then performed the title role of Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical in Melbourne and Sydney, which won them a Green Room Award for Best Actor in a Musical and an Australian Dance Award. Josh’s other credits include La Cage Aux Folles (The Production Company), Anything Goes (Opera Australia / GFO), Born Yesterday (MTC), My Fair Lady directed by Julie Andrews (Opera Australia / GFO), Mamma Mia! (Gannon / Fox), Lazarus The David Bowie Musical (The Production Company), Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), Andrew / Ensemble in the Original Australian cast of Jagged Little Pill (GWB Entertainment) and most recently as Dance Captain / Phantom and understudy Brad, Riff Raff and Rocky in the 50th Anniversary Australian tour of The Rocky Horror Show.
Samuel Harmon
Ensemble
Samuel Harmon is a versatile performer based in Sydney. He graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Music Theatre) in 2019. Most recently Sam appeared in the award nominated Rent (LPD Productions) as onstage swing / cover Roger, Mark and Benny. His other theatre credits include Kip / John Merrick understudy in the award winning musical The Marvellous Elephant Man (Floating World Entertainment) and ensemble / cover in Metropolis (Hayes Theatre Co. and The Little Eggs Collective). Prior to this he appeared as Harry in Kinky Boots (Packemin Productions) and Justin Bieber in The Bieber Fever Tribute Show / Tour (Premier Entertainment).
Sam has appeared in numerous campaigns for leading brands such as Myer, McDonalds and Meat & Livestock Australia. He also co-starred in the short film The Other Loss, selected for the Lift Off Global Network film festival in 2021. Sam is proudly represented by T&E Management
Melanie Hawkins
Ensemble
Melanie’s theatre credits include the leading role of Stephanie Mangano in Saturday Night Fever, the original Australian cast of Wicked in the role of the Witch’s Mother, Constance in Rock of Ages, Hugh Jackman’s Broadway to Oz arena tour, an original cast member in Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show, the world premiere of King Kong Live On Stage, the role of Zelda in the Australian tour of Singin’ in the Rain which included a season in Tokyo, Japan, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, GFO’s Into The Woods concert and Shout – The Legend of the Wild One. Melanie also appeared in The Production Company’s seasons of The Boy from Oz and Oklahoma! for which she was also dance captain. She has toured Australia and New Zealand as a lead dancer, singer and dance captain of Strut n Fret’s wildly successful cabaret Blanc de Blanc Encore.
Marie Ikonomou
Ensemble
Marie is a proud Aboriginal woman from the Boorooberongal clan of the Dharug nation. Her passion for the arts, along with deep pride in her Indigenous culture, led Marie to the Bangarra Dance Company where she was mentored and trained during her high school years. Marie credits Bangarra Youth for teaching her how to deepen her connections of body, mind and spirit.
Marie completed her Diploma of Elite Performing Arts at Ettingshausen’s Pro in 2020 and then made her professional musical theatre debut in 2021 in Jagged Little Pill (GWB), followed by a position in the ensemble for the national tour of Mamma Mia! The Musical (LWAA Productions) in 2023. Marie’s professional credits also include performing at the Logies Awards with Jessica Mauboy, World Pride with Kylie Minogue, Australian Idol with Megan Trainor and Bangarra’s 50th Anniversary performance.
Marie would like to thank her family, friends, agents, teachers and mentors for their ongoing support and guidance.
Graeme Isaako
Simon | Ensemble
Graeme was born in Sydney and spent his early years growing up in Auckland, New Zealand developing a passion for the performing arts from a musical family. Graeme made his musical theatre debut in Cameron Mackintosh’s 2002 production of Oliver! playing Dipper. He appeared in Simon Gallagher’s The Mikado as Nanki-Poo and Disney’s The Lion King understudying the role of Simba. Graeme toured Australia in Disney’s Aladdin and played the title role for the Auckland and Singapore seasons.
More recently he appeared in Opera Australia’s 2023 production of Miss Saigon, the feature film Elvis directed by Baz Luhrmann, and the original Australian cast of Moulin Rouge! the Musical. Graeme trained at Janice Breen Performance Studio and Urban Dance Centre and was a popular contestant on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. He also competed in the 2020 season of The Voice featuring in Team Delta for Nine Network.
Ethan Jones
Priest | Ensemble
Ethan has worked in the performing arts industry since 2013, creating, performing and producing theatre internationally and Australia-wide. He debuted as The Rum Tum Tugger in Cats: The Arena Spectacular (Brisbane Convention Centre) in 2014, and soon after in Pirates of Penzance (QPAC) directed by Simon Gallaher. After graduating from WAAPA, Ethan was cast as Joe alongside Marina Prior in 9 To 5 The Musical, then played Brad Majors and understudied Frank-N-Furter in the 50th Anniversary Australian tour of the legendary rock musical The Rocky Horror Show. Most recently, Ethan joined the Ensemble of Bob Fosse’s Chicago (Crossroads Live) as an understudy for Billy Flynn. Ethan’s other theatre credits include Disney in Concert: A Dream is A Wish (Riverside Theatre), Peter Allen in The Boy From Oz (Crown Theatre), Lucas Beineke in The Addams Family Musical (Regal Theatre) and Doody in Grease: The Arena Spectacular (RAC Arena). He also produced and managed 1950s Prom (Perth Mess Hall), and has worked with Short + Sweet Festival, MELT Festival and Anywhere Theatre Festival, all in Queensland.
Tana Laga’aia
Peter | Ensemble
Tana (He / They) is of proud Samoan heritage. He trained at NIDA in 2023, and had to leave the diploma course early to make his professional debut as the comfort counsellor Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (September Remedy Productions) at the Hayes Theatre. Most recently Tana toured Australia as Benny (Understudy S Collins and Angel) in Rent (LPD).
Bella Massey
Swing
Growing up in Singapore, Bella started dancing at the age of five years, attending the prestigious Jitterbugs Swingapore. In 2019, Bella moved to Sydney to further her training, graduating from ED5 International with an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts. Upon graduating, she secured her first contract with Opera Australia as part of the Circus Ensemble in Il Trovatore. Bella has completed several contracts for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, appearing in numerous productions on Ovation of The Seas and Anthem Of The Seas, allowing her to perform for audiences across the globe. As a much sought-after artist in Sydney, Bella is involved with the Pussycat Production’s cabaret, MEOW, and as a regular performer for the NRL & JLD Entertainment. Bella is thrilled to be making her musical theatre debut in Jesus Christ Superstar and is proudly represented by Kulik Management.
Danielle Matthews
Soul Singer | Ensemble
Danielle Matthews is an Australian/Vanuatuan singer, cabaret and recording artist. She was the inaugural winner of the prestigious Rob Guest Endowment Award and is best known to Australian audiences for her show The Songs of Shirley Bassey. Her musical theatre credits include Urinetown, Showboat, The Mikado, The Silent Anzac, Respect the Musical and Art Centre Melbourne’s Morning Melodies. Danielle has appeared in concert throughout Australia and performed with celebrated composer Stephen Sondheim. Television performances include The Voice, Good Morning Australia, Studio 10, Sunrise and Today. She has performed the Australian National Anthem at the MCG and Australia Day ceremonies in Canberra.
During the pandemic lockdowns, Danielle became a popular content creator and entertained millions of people around the world, with her eccentric musical parodies. She has released two albums and has sung in the in-game soundtracks of major computer game franchises Assassins Creed and Skull and Bones. Danielle is the Co-Artistic Director of the Logie, ARIA and Helpmann Award-winning Choir of Hard Knocks.
Calista Nelmes
Soul Singer | Ensemble
Calista is a proud Kiwi-born artist, originally from Tauranga, New Zealand but now residing in Sydney. Following her graduation from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, she was fortunate enough to join the original cast of Showgirl! aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, before making her professional musical debut as Lorraine in the New Zealand tour of Jersey Boys. In 2023, Calista re-introduced herself to Australia by gracing Australian screens on season 12 of The Voice, where she made it all the way to the top 12 of the competition. Most recently, Calista made her Australian music theatre debut taking on the iconic role of Maureen in the Australian tour of Rent, earning her rave reviews and a nomination for Best Performance in a Musical for the 2024 Time Out Arts and Culture Awards.
Adam Noviello
Priest | Ensemble
Adam Noviello is an actor, singer, songwriter and producer fast becoming known for their multi-faceted career. Theatre credits include Hannah From Hamburg in La Cage Aux Folles, Funny Girl, Matilda The Musical, Farrah/Young Bernadette in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Muse – A Song Cycle, Chess The Musical, Guardian / Kabarett Qween in Senser, The Who’s Tommy and Sebastian in Declan Greene’s Moth. Adam made their feature film debut as the co-writer and star of the award-winning Australian film, Spencer.
In 2024, Adam was named by Triple J as one of Ten Queer Artists To Discover Before They Blow Up. Their debut single Heretic topped the Australian iTunes Dance Chart, featured on the Triple J Unearthed Pride Playlist, and also hit #5 on the Australian Independent Record Labels Association singles chart. During their 2023 UK tour, they made their West End debut playing at the iconic London venue Crazy Coqs. They then followed this up with their first solo tour of Australia, The Fumbling Tour, with their song Fumbling being nominated for Independent Music Video of the Year at the 2024 AIR Awards. Adam’s music is available to stream and download on all major streaming platforms. They would like to thank their team and loved ones for their ongoing support.
Stellar Perry
Soul Singer | Ensemble
Stellar Perry started performing at a young age, penning her own songs at eight, learning piano by 12, touring Germany, England, Austria and Japan at 14, and starting her first band in high school at 15. At 16, she successfully entered the national TV singing competition Star Struck, and then auditioned for Australian Idol and made it to the top 14, which she subsequently bettered with X Factor making it to the top 9. For the following decade Stellar grew, reinvented herself, performed, co-wrote, top lined and collaborated with producers around the world including vocalising on One Day At A Time featuring Jus Jack and Black Dogs which reached #2 on the New York Dance Charts and on other tracks with Jolyon Petch and DJ Sunshine.
In 2020, Stellar decided it was time to really put herself out there once more. She auditioned for The Voice and true to form, brought her honesty, heart and individuality and formed a very obvious bond with her coach Delta Goodrem. Stellar made it to the grand finale and won a new legion of fans. 2022 marked a change in direction for Stellar, successfully auditioning for the role of Oberon in The Lovers (Bell Shakespeare at the Sydney Opera House). This new direction has led most recently to Stellar being cast as Magenta in the 50th Anniversary Australian tour of The Rocky Horror Show in 2023 and 2024.
Nathan Pinnell
Dance Captain | Swing
Nathan is an award-winning performer. His professional career began at the age of nine in two Opera Australia productions, Falstaff and Manon Lescaut. As a young boy he also appeared in numerous television commercials such as Sea Monkey’s, Australia Post and Meadow Lea. Nathan has been involved in Melbourne Fashion Week, re-opened Hamer Hall Arts Centre, performed for the Prime Minister at Australia House in London and taken part in a launch for Mercedes Benz.
His theatre credits include Chicago: The Musical 2023-24 tour as dance captain / swing, Singin’ In The Rain (dance captain / swing / dialect coach), Hugh Jackman: Broadway To Oz (dance captain / featured ensemble), Anything Goes (dance captain / swing), Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom: The Musical as Liam Lamb (understudied and performed Ken Railings, Nathan Starkey and Clarry Welch), Legally Blonde as Carlos (Savoy, West End), West Side Story as Baby John, Chicago: The Musical (2009 tour) for which he received a Green Room Award, Dusty: The Original Pop Diva as Young Tom, We Will Rock You, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, High School Musical and Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision.
For the Production Company, Nathan has performed in The Boy From Oz (Chris Bell), Gypsy (Tulsa) receiving Best Supporting Actor for the Theatre People Pro Choice Awards, Promises Promises, 42nd Street, Sweet Charity and The Music Man. His television credits include It Takes Two, Blue Heelers, So You Think You Can Dance, The Footy Show, Australia’s Most Wanted, Wicked Science, The Morning Show, Morning’s with Kerrie Anne, Sunrise and the 2022 Corolla campaign for Toyota. Nathan was also Assistant Choreographer for Caroline O’Connor and Strictly Sydney Mardi Gras Finale Float 2014. For the last two decades, Nathan has been choreographing and mentoring artists in some of Australia’s leading performing arts institutions.
Daniel Raso
Fight Captain | Swing
Hailing from Sydney, Daniel studied at The McDonald College of Performing Arts. His stage credits include William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (September Remedy Productions), Simeon in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (TML), Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (Newtheatricals), Dewey Finn in School Of Rock (SCS), Michael Wormwood in Matilda The Musical (Louise Withers and Associates), David Van Patten in American Psycho (BB Arts), Sonny in Grease (GFO), Paul in Kiss Me Kate (Bravetouch Productions), The Tap Pack (Tap Pack Productions) and High School Musical: Live On Stage (Disney Theatricals). He also assisted Tony nominated choreographer Kelly Devine on the World Premiere production of Doctor Zhivago (GFO). Most recently, he was a part of the international tour of School Of Rock (GWB), where he covered and performed the role of Dewey Finn.
Daniel has appeared in the Australian television series Puberty Blues, A Place To Call Home and Comedy Inc., as well as making the Top 24 in the 2009 season of Australian Idol. He is featured in Rebel Wilson’s film The Deb, and also performed alongside Tim Minchin for the opening number of the 2020 BAFTAs. He’d like to thank his friends, family and T&E Management for their constant love and support.
Clay Roberts
Ensemble
Clay was most recently seen as Henry and understudy Romeo in & Juliet during the Australian and Singapore tour (MCG). His other stage credits include Ensemble and understudy Duke in Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Global Creatures), understudy Olaf / Weselton and Ensemble in the US tour of Frozen (Disney Theatrical Group), Diesel and understudy Tony in West Side Story (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), Jack Kelly in Newsies (Theatre by the Sea), swing and understudy Sky / Eddie in Mamma Mia! (LWAA), swing and understudy Michael / Doctor / Escapologist / Bruce in Matilda the Musical (LWAA / RSC), Munkustrap in Cats (RUG), Henry in Next to Normal (Hayes Theatre Co, Doorstep Arts), and Coricopat and understudy Munkustrap / Rum Tum Tugger / Mungojerrie / Macavity / Alonzo in Cats (RUG). Clay won the BroadwayWorld Rhode Island Award for Best Actor (Musical) – Professional for Newsies.
Josh Spiniello
Ensemble
Originally from Adelaide, Josh relocated to Melbourne to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Throughout his studies, Josh had the privilege of performing in notable productions including Marry Me A Little, Heathers and Morning Melodies. In between studies, Josh made his professional debut in A Very Naughty Christmas in 2023. Recently, he performed as Moritz in Spring Awakening. Josh is thrilled to be part of Jesus Christ Superstar and extends heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, and all his teachers for their unwavering support in pursuing his passion.
Bree Tipoki
Resident Choreographer | Swing
Bree is a proud First Nations mother, creative and performer of the Palawa people of Lutruwita. Trained at Body Language Dance Studios in Hobart, Bree then graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in Musical Theatre. Most recently Bree was the Dance Captain and Swing understudy for La Choc & Arabia in the Australian tour of Moulin Rouge the Musical (Global Creatures). Her previous credits include Director / Choreographer for Altitude Theatre’s Once on this Island, Associate Director / Choreographer for The Producers (Altitude Theatre), Shrek (GFO), Resident Choreographer for School of Rock (GWB), Dance Captain for The Wizard of Oz (GFO), Rachel Marron understudy in The Bodyguard (GFO), Side Show (One Eyed Man Productions and Hayes Theatre), Cats (RUG), Showboat (TPC), Truly Scrumptious understudy in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TML) and Wicked (GFO). Bree would like to thank her husband and sons for their unconditional love and support.
Liam Wigney
Ensemble
Originally from just outside of Brisbane, Liam is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Prior to WAAPA, Liam travelled to New York to take part in NYU Steinhardt’s Summer Study in Musical Theatre program. His credits include Henry in Next to Normal (James Terry Collective), Ensemble / Gene and Elias cover in Girl from the North Country (GWB / STCSA), Tom Watson in Parade (Soundworks Productions), Snowy in Kate, Gus & the Other Kids (Fringe World / Neylon & Peele), tick, tick… BOOM! (Storeyboard Entertainment) and Big Name, No Blankets! (Ilbijerri Theatre Company).
During his final year of university, Liam co-created the fundraising body Future Oz Inc. The project hosted three livestream concerts over the course of 2020, showcasing performances from graduating students while raising funds for arts organisations in need such as the Actor’s Benevolent Fund and Homegrown Australia. When he’s not on stage, Liam writes and produces music under the name L’aDRIAN. You can find his music on all streaming platforms. Liam is proudly represented by Ian White Management.
The Producers of Jesus Christ Superstar cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and leave arrangements.