Jesus Christ Superstar has been rocking the nation with a recent season in Perth ahead of the highly anticipated season in Melbourne starting next week. The Scoop sat down for a chat with John O’Hara who is playing Annas. John has played many iconic musical theatre roles, and was most recently seen in Tina: the Tina Turner Musical playing Phil Spector and Terry Britten. John talks vocal health, dream roles and advice for surviving the business.
Your role in Jesus Christ Superstar requires a pretty amazing vocal range, pretty much a countertenor. The Pharisees have some of the best songs in the show. What strategies do you use to maintain good vocal health while on tour?
Honestly, it’s a complete lifestyle. Good sleep, eating well, not too much alcohol and lots of yoga are the main things I try to keep in place. This is definitely some of the most challenging music I’ve ever had to sing because of the vocal range and also the sound / tone required.
I was very nervous going into rehearsals, so I did a lot of light singing / humming / trilling up around the notes I needed for the show in the lead-up. Since then, I’ve worked very closely with the music direction team to figure out a kind of map for where each note will sit in my voice, matched with vowel sounds of the lyrics… some are harder than others!
I do an extensive warmup before the show, and I continue to hum and lip trill throughout the show to keep my larynx in a place where I can safely access that sound.
During the day I chug water from the moment I wake up. I have found the better hydrated I am, the easier it is to warm up and keep my voice in that kind of nasal / pingy place it needs to sit, stylistically. And it also bounces back day after day better to get me through to eight times a week.
That’s great advice. Water seems to be an essential thing, I’m making a note! How much, if any, of your performance is informed by the 1973 and 2000 films?
Of course, I have seen both films, but this production is so far removed from either of those or, for that matter, any of the many cast recordings floating around.
The priests in our production are presented in a very different manner, so I’ve leaned into the difference and together with my fellow priests, Elliot, Henry, Ethan and Josh, we’ve created our own blueprint to bring them to life for a brand-new audience and generation. Think early 2000s boyband.
That sounds intriguing! One of The Scoop’s Sydney reviewers has seen the current production and wanted to ask: how difficult is it to perform on the giant cross on stage? It looks pretty cramped.
The cross! Look, it’s no joke! It’s higher than it looks, and it’s angled on a rake that affects every part of your movement. It took many hours over many days to feel confident up there. Coupled with the lights and the haze, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we’re all very aware of each other, and the wardrobe department has put extra grip on our shoes since we opened because initially, we were slipping and sliding. Like anything, it just takes time, practice, and trust.
He was also curious to know, why are there no production stills of the Pharisees on the website? The costumes are awesome! Is it to keep them a surprise?
I didn’t know this! But yeah, I agree… why are there no pics of us on the website? I’ll get my people to talk to your people and see if we can rectify this for the Melbourne season.
Yes, that sounds like a plan! You’ve played some pretty amazing roles, from Dr Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to Ned Schneebly in School of Rock to Bernadette in Priscilla, and the list goes on and on. What has been your favourite role / musical to date, and why? And is there a musical that remains on your bucket list?
I’ve been very lucky to live out some of my bucket list roles and shows. Frank in Rocky and Bern in Priscilla are two of them. Those experiences were glorious and so precious.
Jesus Christ Superstar was one of the first shows I ever saw (John Farnham in ’92 in Perth) so getting to do it all these years later is also a bucket list item.
I think when you’ve been in ’the biz’ as long as I have, you’re just glad people still want to give you a job, but I absolutely have some roles and shows I’m yet to conquer…. Trunch in Matilda, Khashoggi in We Will Rock You, the MC in Cabaret, Scar in The Lion King and I’d love to originate a role in a new Aussie musical that hasn’t been written yet… Let’s manifest all of that!
Yes, let’s! I ask this of all my interviewees, as I am constantly intrigued by the answers, being the parent of a performer myself. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get into this business?
I get asked this a lot these days, being a little more ‘mature.’ Do the work. It really is that simple… and hard. We work at an elite level in professional music theatre. Eight shows a week is not for the faint-hearted physically, vocally or mentally.
If you embark on a career in music theatre, remember no one owes you anything. Reputation is everything, and do the work. By that, I mean go to class, watch everything you can, send emails, tell people what you want, be specific and don’t give up.
You are going to be told ’no’ way more than you will be told ‘yes.’ But when you are told ‘yes’ and invited into the room to do a class, an audition, a show… do the work… and then do more work. If you love it, the work will be well worth it.
Be honest with yourself about what you’re good at and what you can improve on. Stick to your lane. Believe in yourself! There is no one who can do you the way you do… that’s the magic!
Jesus Christ Superstar begins previews on 16 March 2025 at the Princess Theatre, 163 Spring Street, Melbourne.
It then transfers to Brisbane from 29 June.
Tickets: https://jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au/tickets/melbourne/
Website: http://www.jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/jesuschristsuperstarau/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/johnjamesohara/
Photo credits: John O’Hara on the far right, performing on the cross in Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Jeff Busby
A huge thank you to Ronson Blake who assisted with some thoughtful questions for this interview.
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