Jesus Christ Superstar Reimagined With An All-Female Ensemble

The album features Grammy and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo as Mary Magdalene; Broadway veteran Shoshana Bean as Judas Iscariot; and critically acclaimed soul singer Morgan James as Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ Superstar: Highlights From The All-Female Studio Cast Recording is now available as a full collection of songs at all digital music services. You can listen here.

The album features Grammy and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo as Mary Magdalene; Broadway veteran Shoshana Bean as Judas Iscariot; and critically acclaimed soul singer Morgan James as Jesus Christ. 

Following the release of two EPs, She Is Risen (Vol. 1) and She Is Risen (Vol. 2), the album marks the final and full culmination of music to be released from the original sessions in 2018. It includes an all-female orchestra and all female recording engineers led by producer/musician Meg Toohey (Waitress). In addition to Erivo, Bean, and James, the recording features Grammy Award winner Ledisi, comedian Bridget Everett as King Herod, Tony and Grammy Award nominee Orfeh, and Tony Award winner Debbie Gravitte.

The idea for the project came to James in a dream several years ago, which led her to stage a one-night-only performance of the musical with Bean at New York City’s Highline Ballroom the day prior to the Women’s March in January 2017. The production spawned such an incredible reaction that James was compelled to preserve the performances in a studio recording and appropriately decided upon an all-female team including the orchestra, chorus, musicians, and engineers. After a series of multiple setbacks which led a handful of songs to be released in previous EPs, Jesus Christ Superstar: Highlights From The All-Female Studio Cast Recording marks the final chapter for the project.

“Jesus Christ Superstar has always been one of my favorite scores and shows of all time,” said James. “I grew up on the original concept recording, and to me, it is essential listening. I want this all-female version to be a love letter and homage to the score, and to serve as its own essential listening for a new generation of musical theater lovers. Working on this project was perhaps the most challenging and rewarding experience of my career. I am so honored that all of these superstar women said ‘yes’ and came to the studio with such graciousness and sense of collaboration. When women come together, incredible things happen.” For more information visit: She Is Risen.