Tim Minchin, Nicole Scherzinger to Star in UK Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar

Nicole Scherzinger will play Mary Magdalene and Tim Minchin will play Judas Iscariot in the forthcoming UK tour of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which will open this summer at London’s O2 Arena, according to published reports.

As previously reported, the role of Jesus will be played by te winner of the television program, Superstar, which will air shortly on ITV1. Lloyd Webber will be among the judges of the competition, alongside actor Jason Donovan and singer Melanie Chisholm.

Scherzinger appeared in the Hollywood Bowl production of Rent. She is best known as a member of the pop group, Pussycat Dolls, and was a judge on the first season of the U.S. version of The X-Factor.

Minchin is a well-known comic and solo performer, whose shows include Darkside and So Rock. In addition, he has provided the music and lyrics for the Olivier Award-winning Matilda: The Musical, playing at the West End’s Cambridge Theatre, and, as previously reported, is scheduled to open on Broadway in 2013.