From MelanieC.net:

In March, Melanie joined Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jason Donovan in a search to find the new ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ as part of a new ITV1 show which will air this July. ITV’s search to find the new male lead of the musical also resulted in finding someone very special to play Jesus’ female counterpart Mary Magdalene…

Melanie will join the cast of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ to play the role of Mary during its UK and Ireland tour. Celebrating 40 years since it first opened in London’s West End, the ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ arena tour kicks off in London on 21 September before visiting Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool and Nottingham. The tour culminates in Sheffield on 21 October. Alongside Melanie, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ will also feature Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot and Chris Moyles as King Herod.

The ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ musical will play in the following venues:

Friday 21 September – London O2 Arena
Tuesday 25 September – Glasgow SECC
Friday 28 September – Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Sunday 30 September – Manchester Arena
Tuesday 2 October – Cardiff Motorpoint
Thursday 4 October – Birmingham NIA
Thursday 9 October – Belfast Odyssey
Friday 12 October – Dublin O2
Tuesday 16 October – Liverpool Echo Arena
Friday 19 October – Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Sunday 21 October – Sheffield Motorpoint

Tickets will go on sale this Friday at 9.00am through www.jesuschristsuperstar.com. Make sure to tune into ‘Daybreak’ on ITV1 this Thursday morning as Melanie will be discussing her role as Mary Magdalena in the musical.

This is what Melanie said about the project – quote taken from jesuschristsuperstar.com

“I have been lucky enough to perform at arenas across the globe and to star in London’s West End but taking on the role of Mary Magdalene in the incredible Jesus Christ Superstar has to be one my most exciting challenges to date.

I can’t wait to take the show to some of my favourite venues in the UK with such a talented and formidable cast including Tim and Chris.”

We caught up with Melanie C on Monday at the kick-off for Music Is GREAT Britain week, celebrating the amazing musical talent the UK has produced in recent decades.

The former Spice Girl was at HMV Oxford Circus in London to introduce a live performance by Jessie J and chat about the Music Is GREAT Britain DVD.

The release features iconic live performances, including The Spice Girls’ performance of Who Do You Think You Are? at the 1997 Brit Awards.

Read below as we chat to Mel C about her favourite British music, Jessie J’s star quality and the upcoming Spice Girls reunion for musical Viva Forever.

We’re celebrating British music this week, so let’s talk a bit about your favourites. What do you think is the best British album?

Well I think being a Liverpool girl, I’m gonna go back to my roots. Of course The Beatles, and my favourite album is Revolver.

Favourite British single?
Favourite British single? Wow, gosh! These are things you need to prepare for, aren’t they? Well, you know what I’m going to say, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Such a unique song.

Your all-time favourite British act?
All-time favourite British act… I’m gonna have to say The Beatles.

I think being a young girl really into music growing up in Liverpool, its part of our heritage. It was one of the first bands that I ever heard from listening to my parent’s record collection – getting out the vinyl – and I think it was probably Sergeant Pepper was one of the first records I’d ever listened to as a kid. It is something I’ve really grown up with, great British music.

Your favourite new British act?
My favourite new British act is Jessie J. I just think she is such an incredible talent and I don’t think this country has ever produced a vocalist like Jessie, and she will be around for the long haul without a doubt.

2 Become 1. Starry-eyed DJ Jodie Harsh and girl power queen Mel C are making sweet music together, watcha think about that?

Recounting a distinctly un-rock and roll first introduction, Mel and Jodie met at a mutual friend’s four-year-old daughter’s birthday party. Bonding over birthday cake and a mutual appreciation for each others beats, the two soon became firm friends and headed back to Mel’s lay down some tracks.

Referencing heavy commercial dance and niche electro pop, the duo’s newly released EP marks Jodie’s first foray into the world of production. Simple, progressive and atmospheric, Walk Away, Sunrise and Set You Free each sound like an evening spent on a beach in Ibiza just before the sun has set and the party drops.

Referencing dub, trip-pop and trance, the two unlikely ladies have created lyrically empowered anthems, designed to fill dancefloors and inject fun into the club. Discovering a heart-warming fondness for each other, the two iconic musicians vibe of each other’s energy and the electricity they generate resonates within the sound they lay down. i-D online caught-up with Mel and Jodie on the eve of the EPs release to chat babies, booths and swap lippy.

We also scooped an exclusive stream of one of their smashing new tracks, i-Defy anyone to listen to these Summer tunes and not tap a toe, they wanna make you holler.

Text: Milly McMahon
Film and photography: George Harvey

SOURCE: i-donline.com

Are U Ready To Dance?? Melanie C and Jodie Harsh’s new EP ‘The Night’ is out tomorrow on iTunes!

The EP features 2 fantastic dance tracks, ‘Set You Free’ and ‘Sunrise’, and a beautiful ballad called ‘Walk Away’. And if you buy the full EP you will also get the digital booklet featuring song lyrics and exclusive images of Melanie shot by the talented fashion photographer Tim Bret-Day.

Here’s the official artwork: