Immerse yourself in the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ellis Nassour

VICKSBURG, Miss – Ellis Nassour, author and playwright, is a Vicksburg native. He returns home July 22-26 to sign and read his new book, Jesus Christ Superstar. Behind the scenes at the
Worldwide musical phenomenon. The book is about the controversial 45 rpm record by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, which never had a hit and became the world’s best-selling double album, authorized/unauthorized concerts (two violent Jackson protests), unconventional rehearsals, productions on Broadway and in Los Angeles, and the film shot in Israel with the Six Day War as a backdrop.

About the book

Nassour, it was noted, takes readers behind the scenes in exclusive interviews and reveals the
Trials, tribulations, frustrations and pitfalls of the stage premiere, which became the most expensive show in Broadway history at the time. The mini coffee table book and e-book contain 70 black and white photos and a gallery of 28 color photos, including spectacular shots of the Broadway production. Many photos have never been seen before. Nassour also offers readers a compelling, contemporary scene-by-scene overview of the Broadway production, putting them in the front row.

Jesus Christ Superstar ~ Behind the scenes of the global music phenomenon, quite a lot has happened
insightful interviews with the creators Rice and Lloyd Webber as well as the rock opera stars Ben
Vereen, Yvonne Elliman and Ted Neeley (who has portrayed Jesus in over 5,000 performances around the world). Quiz fans will be pleased to know that Bette Midler was considered for the role of Mary Magdalene, John Lennon and John Travolta for the role of Jesus, in addition to cameo appearances by the Bee Gees, Noel Coward, Phyllis Diller, Tennessee Williams, David Frost and none other than Barbra Streisand.

The album, the Broadway production and the film will be released to mark the 50th anniversary celebrations.
remain surprisingly close to the Holy Scriptures in their description of the Passion of Jesus during his last six days on earth.
Rock opera was once the subject of controversy and religious protest because of its use of rock music and slang, but today it enjoys great popularity and is even performed in Sunday schools.

About Ellis Nassour

Ellis Nassour is an international arts journalist and playwright, a New York Times veteran who began his career as a writer for the Vicksburg Post while in high school. He has continued to write articles and interviews over the years. He has also written articles for the Clarion-Ledger,
Natchez’s Bluffs and Bayous Magazine and, at Ole Miss, the Daily Mississippian. He is the author of the best-selling biography Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline – the first about the legendary singer (in print for 44 years and counting); the narration of the hit revue Always, Patsy Cline is adapted from his book.

As Director of Artist Relations at MCA Universal Pictures/Music, Nassour worked on films
with Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Clint Eastwood, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. In addition to his work on Superstar, he worked with Neil Diamond, introduced Elton John to the US, the media and the industry, toured with The Who and helped secure the Metropolitan Opera House in New York for its first rental for the “farewell” performances of Tommy and country artists Conway Twitty, Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn, coordinating their LP campaign for Coal Miner’s Daughter. He also authored Rock Opera: The Creation of Jesus Christ Superstar from Record Album to Broadway Show and
Movie.

Signing/reading events are:

Tuesday, July 23 at the Big Muddy Inn B&B and music venue, 411 North Commerce Street, across from Stanton Hall, Natchez, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Popular cookbook author Regina Charboneau and owner of Regina’s Kitchen cooking school (621 Franklin Street) will be present with special snacks, sandwiches and her famous French 75s. Big Muddy Inn co-owner Amy Allen will perform songs from the rock opera. Books will be discounted to $31, all inclusive.

Wednesday, July 24Book signing/reading, Lorelei Books, 1103 Washington Street, Vicksburg, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Book price is $31, all inclusive.

Friday, July 26Book signing/reading, Lemuria Book Store, Banner Hall, 4465 I-55, Jackson, 5 – 7 p.m.

Nassour will be interviewed by Amanda Harris on WVBG Radio, Vicksburg, on July 18; on Mississippi Public Broadcast’s “The Marshall Ramsey Show” at 10 a.m. on July 22; and on WLBT-TV NBC Studio 3 at 3 p.m.

Additionally

In Jackson, Nassour meets with the University of Mississippi Medical Center for a
Installation of rare circus posters in the lobby of the Children’s Wing, a donation from the Mamie and Ellis Nassour Arts & Entertainment Collection, which he and his brother John Nassour of Vicksburg had donated in memory of their parents, in the William Faulkner Archives/Special Collections in the Williams Library, Ole Miss. It is the largest such collection in the Southeast. One third
circulate among teaching staff and students and two thirds are archived for exhibition and research purposes.

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