Most of the stars of the revived Jesus Christ Superstar musical have never set foot on a theatre stage, but that's the point.
More than 50 years since Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber shot to international stardom with their acclaimed rock opera, the show is returning to its original Australian home at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
Starring latter-day Icehouse member Michael Paynter as Jesus and singer-songwriter Mahalia Barnes, the daughter of legendary frontman Jimmy Barnes, as Mary Magdalene, the show is packed with powerful vocal talent.
"This show was written as an album first, so it was always intended to be sung and played by a rock band, and that's what we're doing here," Paynter told AAP.
"When they were casting, they were looking for people that were rock singers rather than traditional theatre singers."
For Paynter, a newcomer to musical theatre, the rock classics have a deeper meaning.
"In today's world, when there's differences in opinions and conflict, I think people have lost the ability to love someone but also disagree," he said.
"I hope people come out with a feeling of love."
Beyond concerning herself with the music and the vocal runs, Barnes also wondered how well she could identify with the role of Mary.
"I'm used to being in a rock 'n' roll world where I can do whatever I want," she said.
The soul and blues singer has been touring with her band the Soulmates alongside the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Mavis Staples.
While she's nervous to plunge onto the theatre stage, she thinks the two mediums are not so different.
"I had a little bit of trepidation of ... would I be able to be me in this context," Barnes said
"But once I got into the role, I understood that, just like singing any other songs, the role of Mary is about connection."
Mary's role in the production is to counteract the chaos in the final week of Jesus's life, ending with his crucifixion.
"As a woman in the world, there's a lot of having to settle down energies and to try and resolve conflict ... it felt quite natural," Barnes said.
The Australian show, produced by John Frost and David Ian, features a large orchestra backstage but also several band members who play on stage with the cast due to the music's integral part in the performance.
Jesus Christ Superstar will open in Sydney on Thursday before heading to Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
