The internationally acclaimed revival of Jesus Christ Superstar is heading to The Theatre at Solaire from May 2 to 31, 2026, and here’s the headline fans have been waiting for: multi-awarded Filipina performer Gab Pangilinan will star as Mary Magdalene.
Originally slated to close on May 24, the Manila season has officially been extended until May 31 due to overwhelming demand. If your group chat has been buzzing about this production, now you know why.
A Filipino Star Joins an International Powerhouse Cast
Gab Pangilinan has steadily built one of the most impressive theatre résumés in the country. Known for standout performances in The Last Five Years, Side Show, Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical, and Mula Sa Buwan, she has become a fixture in Manila’s thriving stage scene.
A three-time Philstage Gawad Buhay nominee for Pingkian: Isang Musikal (2024), The Last Five Years (2023), and Mula Sa Buwan (2022), Gab also won Best Leading Female Performance in the Digital Category at the 27th Asian Television Awards for Still: A Musical Narrative Series. She has collaborated with respected theatre companies such as PETA, Tanghalang Pilipino, Atlantis Theatrical, and Full House Theater Company, and most recently appeared in We Aren’t Kids Anymore and Othello.
Now, she steps into one of musical theatre’s most emotionally charged roles.
Carlos Candal, CEO of GMG Productions, shared, “We are incredibly happy to have Gab Pangilinan in the international company of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Gab is a respected and accomplished artist, and her casting as Mary Magdalene highlights the strength of Filipino theatre talent. The excitement from audiences has been truly remarkable, and this extension allows even more theatre fans to experience this production.”
For Filipino audiences, this casting feels personal. It is a celebration of homegrown talent standing shoulder to shoulder with global performers.
Meet the International Company
Gab joins principal cast members who have toured the UK, North America, and Australia with this award-winning production.
- Luke Street as Jesus
- Javon King as Judas
- Ethan Hardy Benson as Pilate
- Grant Hodges as Caiaphas
- Kodiak Thompson as Annas
Luke Street, who has previously alternated as both Jesus and Judas on tour, now takes on the role of Jesus full-time for global audiences. A UK-based actor and singer, best known for his work in musical theatre across the UK and London’s West End. His theatre credits include Ledoux / Alternate Strat in Bat Out of Hell (UK Tour, 2024–2025); Simon / Alternate Judas / Alternate Jesus / Cover Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour, 2023–2024); Alternate Strat / Cover Ledoux in Bat Out of Hell (UK&International Tour, 2022–2023); Hollander / Cover Falco / Cover Ledoux / Cover Jagwire in Bat Out of Hell (UK & Ireland Tour, 2021–2022); Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (International Tour, 2018–2019); Logan Carter in Out There (Union Theatre, 2017);and Little Rock in Gypsy (Savoy Theatre, 2015–2016). Luke is thrilled to be touring internationally once again, following his international tour with Jersey Boys back in 2018–2019. Having previously alternated the roles of both Jesus and Judas, Luke is delighted to now be playing Jesus for audiences around the world.
Javon King, a Green Room Award winner, reprises his acclaimed portrayal of Judas following successful runs in Australia. The company brings serious musical firepower to Manila. He was last seen as Goldie Wilson/ Marvin Berry in Back to the Future: The Musical at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre. Notable Australian tours and other theatre credits include; Judas in the Jesus Christ Superstar Australian tour, Tristan/Young Man 6 in The Inheritance at forty five downstairs, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at Chapel off Chapel (Green Room Award winner for Best Supporting Actor), and Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Hairspray Australian Tour, where he received a Green Room Award nomination for his performance. Javon received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Rider University in New Jersey. Professionally back home in the US, Javon has toured internationally and across the United States as Angel Dumott Schunard in the 20th & 25th Anniversary Tour(s) of RENT. Other credits include, Henry/Jack understudy in Newsies and Mereb in Aida. He 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.
Ethan Hardy Benson. Training: University of Michigan, BFA Musical Theatre. Theatre includes: Principal Standby in Rolling Thunder (Off-Broadway), Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar (The Rev), Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (The Ordway), Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway Sacramento), Pvt. Clark in From Here To Eternity (Skylight Music), Joseph in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Red Mountain TC), Tarzan in Tarzan (Olney CC) Endless gratitude to the entire JCS team, Craig at Avalon Artists, Zoë, and his friends & family.
Grant Hodges Training: Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program at UCLA. Theater: Sweeney u/s in Sweeney Todd (Jason Alexander) Nick Massi in Jersey Boys (MTW), Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar (50th Anniversary National Tour), Kenickie in Grease (La Mirada), Chuck in Footloose (The Rev), Kristoff/Hans in Frozen – Live at the Hyperion (DCA. )Film/ TV: Voice of Simon/Maxxie in Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super Shero. Various Netflix voice over projects, Bones guest star on FOX. So incredibly grateful to be putting the robes back on and sharing this story with the world alongside some of my favorite human beings. All the love to my family, friends, and everyone at ATB.
Kodiak Thompson grew up in America’s chocolate capital, Hershey, Pennsylvania. He is thrilled to step in to the priest robe across the world after touring the U.S. and Canada with this special production. Kodiak also performed in the Broadway tour of Chicago as Harrison, understudying Billy Flynn and Mary Sunshine. Off-Broadway: DRAG: The Musical. Other favorites: La Cage Aux Folles (Chantal), Head Over Heels (Musidorus), Gypsy (Tulsa), Kinky Boots (Referee Angel), Burn the Floor (NCL Lead Vocalist). Thanks to About Artists Agency, Temple University, and family.
Further casting announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
An Olivier Award-Winning Revival
This is not just another staging of the beloved rock musical. Originally created at London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this bold reimagining of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber classic won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. It sold out consecutive engagements in London before launching major tours across the UK, North America, and Australia.
The Guardian called it “A gorgeous, thrilling, heavenly musical.”
The Daily Telegraph declared, “Hallelujah! An almighty revelation.”
Now, Manila gets its turn.
Why This Musical Still Resonates
Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the show first exploded onto the scene in the 1970s as a concept album before opening on Broadway in 1971. The original London production ran for over eight years, becoming the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.
Told entirely through song, the story explores the final days of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. It examines loyalty, power, faith, and doubt, all set to a rock score that still feels urgent decades later.
Iconic songs like “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” and “Gethsemane” continue to captivate new generations of audiences.
Under the direction of Timothy Sheader and choreography by Drew McOnie, this production strips the story down to its emotional core while amplifying its theatrical intensity. Design is by Tom Scutt, with lighting by Lee Curran and sound design by Nick Lidster, ensuring a visually arresting experience inside Solaire’s state-of-the-art theatre.
The Manila engagement of Jesus Christ Superstar runs from May 2 to May 31, 2026 at The Theatre at Solaire. No further extensions will be added.
Tickets are available exclusively through TicketWorld.
Presented by GMG Productions, the Manila season forms part of the major 2026 international tour produced by GMG Productions and David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions. The original production was produced by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to book, this is it. A globally celebrated revival. A powerhouse international cast. And a Filipino star stepping into one of musical theatre’s most beloved roles.
May is shaping up to be unforgettable.
