A theatre full of superstars

Kristian Lavercombe is Jesus in the Auckland Theatre Company's production. Photo / Michael Smith

Audience can sing along and break out the moves.

Kiwi fans of one of the world's most popular stage shows will get a chance to be cast members for one night only " and they won't even have to audition.

The Auckland Theatre Company's Kensington Swan season of Jesus Christ Superstar is turning one performance into an audience singalong, giving concertgoers the chance to join in some of the show's most popular numbers.

Director Oliver Driver said Superstar was a perfect production for this type of event, as many people who came to see it sang along with the famous soundtrack but usually did it quietly.

This was a chance for people to explode into full voice - no matter how well or badly they held tune - and even break out their dance moves.

"The big final dance number is fairly easy," said Driver. "My hope is 350 fans of the music will want to come along and let rip."

He said those coming to Friday's performance would be given song sheets and the house lights would be turned up a notch to cue entries.

"The idea is we will get 350 people in Q Theatre singing Hosanna and I Don't Know How to Love Him."

He said the 30 cast members were excited at the prospect of having their ranks swell 10-fold.

And Driver said it wouldn't be hard to incorporate the audience without the need to leave their seats.

The Superstar stage was set up on different levels of the theatre to look like a mini colosseum that surrounded the audience.

The musical, written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber, is loosely based on the Bible's account of the last week in the life of Jesus, beginning with his arrival into Jerusalem and ending with his crucifixion.

The Auckland production has been such a box office sensation that the season has been extended three times. It will close on December 20.