Gab Pangilinan as Mary Magdalene leads 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Manila run cast

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February 24, 2026 | 12:18pm

MANILA, Philippines — The main cast for the upcoming Manila run of celebrated musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" has been announced, including Filipino actress Gab Pangilinan.

The actress will take on the role of Mary Magdalene opposite Luke Street as Jesus and Javon King as Judas Iscariot.

Street and King's announcement followed the inclusion of Ethan Hardy Benson's Pilate, Grant Hodges' Caiaphas, and Kodiak Thompson' Annas from previous United Kingdom, North America, and Australian tours of the production.

Carlos Candal, chief executive office of GMG Productions which helms the production, expressed delight in a statement having Pangilinan in the cast for "Jesus Christ Superstar" as he called her "a respected and accomplished artist" whose casting "highlights the strength of Filipino theater talent."

"The excitement from audiences has been truly remarkable, and this extension allows even more theater fans to experience this production," Candal added.

The sung-through rock-opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is based on the events from the Passion of the Christ in the Bible, seen through the perspective of Judas, the disciple who betrays Jesus.

The production also looks into the relationships between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Chrsist's other disciples and followers, and the Roman Empire.

Just a few of the popular songs from the musical are "Gethsemane," "Everything's Alright," "This Jesus Must Die," "I Don't Know How To Love Him" and, of course, "Superstar."

The Manila run of "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a reimagining of version from Regent's Park Open Air Theatre helmed by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie.

Cast details

Pangilinan is one of Filipino theater's brightest stars who appeared in local productions like "Side Show," "Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical," "The Last Five Years," and "Mula Sa Buwan."

She received Philstage Gawad Buhay nominations for the latter two musicals, as well as for "Pingkian: Isang Musikal," and most recently appeared in "We Aren't Kids Anymore" and "Othello."

Street previously played Simon and was an alternate for Judas and Jesus. He also covered for Pilate during the UK tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar" from 2023 to 2024.

This is his first international tour since playing Frankie Valli in "Jersey Boys" back in 2018 to 2019. He also starred in "Bat Out of Hell," "Out There," and "Gypsy."

The Melbourne-based King previously played Judas in the Australian tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar," with other credits including "Hairspray," "Newsies," "The Inheritance," "Guys and Dolls," "Aida," and most recently, "Back to the Future: The Musical."

Benson played Jesus, Pilates, and Annas in three different runs of "Jesus Christ Superstar," starred in "Rolling Thunder" off-Broadway, and acted in "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "From Here To Eternity," and "Tarzan."

Hodges played Caiaphas in the 50th Anniversary National Tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar." He was the understudy for Jason Alexander as the titular character of "Sweeney Todd," and also acted in "Grease," "Footloose," "Frozen," and "Jersey Boys."

Thompson previously toured "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the United States and Canada, performed and understudied the Broadway tour of"Chicago," and was in "DRAG: The Musical" off-Broadway.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" will be staged at the Theatre at Solaire from May 2 to 31, 2026 with no further extensions.

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