Prodigal son: Melbourne musician Michael Paynter makes good in Jesus Christ Superstar
Melbourne is no stranger to productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
In 2013 and 2017, Tim Minchin and Rob Mills both led concert productions at Rod Laver Arena and the Arts Centre respectively.
But it’s been a staggering 48 years since a fully staged version of the hit musical played a major Melbourne theatre.
Veteran Melbourne musician Michael Paynter opened Superstar in Sydney to rave reviews last year at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.
Michael spoke to CBD News about leading the production home to Melbourne in March 2025.
What brought you into the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar?
“My friend Mahalia Barnes was cast as Mary Magdalene, and they were looking for a Jesus. They asked her if she knew anyone who would be the right fit and she said: ‘You should try this Melbourne guy'. I’ve never been that interested in theatre, but somehow, they talked me into it and here we are.”
Has there been a moment during the production when everything came together, and it became fun?
“During rehearsals as I was getting intimately acquainted with the music, pretty early on in the piece it occurred to me how much fun this was to sing, and I knew I was going to have a good time doing it.”
The role of Jesus is notoriously a "big sing". Is there anything you’ve done preparing for it to keep your voice in good nick?
“I tend to live healthily. I train every day. I have a pretty joyless diet, I guess you could say. I just try to sleep as much as I can. I’ve got some people in my family who were professional athletes, so I’ve watched them, how they prepare their mind and their body for games for quite a while. It’s just making sure you do everything can so when you walk in the stage door every evening, you’re in tip-top form.”
What are you looking forward to most about debuting in Melbourne?
“There’s a lot of family and friends, colleagues and fellow musicians I’ve played with in bands over the last ten-years that aren’t in Sydney. It’s going to be a special thing for them to be able to come and see the show. I think Melbourne has always been such a great place for the arts. They respect and revere the arts so highly, so I think it’s a wonderful place to make art of any kind.”
The show is playing at the Princess Theatre. You’re going to have the entire CBD at your disposal. Is there anywhere you plan on making a local haunt for the cast?
Oh, man! Take your pick of restaurants in the CBD. And I think I’ll be heading to Eau De Vie (a cocktail bar on Malthouse Lane in the East End) for the odd whisky nightcap. That’ll be lovely. Melbourne is a feast for the senses of all kinds. It’s a lovely place to call home and hopefully I can know it a little more intimately by spending that much time in the heart of it.”
Is there anything you’d say to audiences ahead of coming to see Jesus Christ Superstar?
One of the great things about this show and I think why it’s still so relevant and people still love it is because every new version brings a different perspective on the music. I think this one is unlike any that has been done before. This is an intense, complex, challenging and confronting production. It’s as much all those things as it is hilarious, entertaining and thrilling. The last couple of productions Australia has seen have been done amazingly well but more in a concert performance style. This one is very grimy and earthy. It’s been surprising some people in Sydney, and I hope it continues to surprise and entertain as well as we move through the country.”
Jesus Christ Superstar will play Melbourne’s Princess Theatre from March 16 through June 8. Tickets are available through Ticketek. •

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