Sam Ryder is set to make his West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar this summer, but has admitted he didn’t even realise he was auditioning.
Featuring an iconic score by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the former Eurovision star, 36, will play Jesus in the acclaimed Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production when it transfers to the London Palladium for an 11-week season from June 20 to September 5.
Ryder stars as Jesus, with Tyrone Huntley as Judas, Desmonda Cathabel as Mary, and David Thaxton as Pilate.
His casting followed an impromptu session with Lloyd Webber and came as a surprise to him.
Speaking to The Standard and other journalists at the launch of Channel 4 talent show Your Song, on which he serves as a mentor alongside Paloma Faith and host Alison Hammond, Ryder said: “I was working with Andrew… he needed a singer to put these songs that existed on paper into something he could hear.
“I’d sit with him around the piano and he’d be like, ‘Right, you need to sing this a little bit here, and then it goes up here.’”
He added: “This was brand new music, so I’m hearing it for the first time while I’m singing it.”
The Spaceman hit-maker recalled asking Lloyd Webber to play Gethsemane, one of the show’s most demanding songs, only for the moment to turn into an unexpected test.
“I got a bit cheeky and said, ‘Andrew, can we just have a break and you play a bit of Gethsemane?’ He started playing it in such a high key, and it’s already high, and I’m just thinking I can’t tell him to stop, I just have to go for it.
“I’m getting goosebumps because it’s him on the piano… and when it gets to the high bit, I’m just praying I’ll hit the note.”
The pair recorded the performance, which Ryder later discovered had effectively secured him the part.
“We recorded it, and a couple of months later he called me. He was buzzing about it. It was such a lovely pick-me-up.
“I basically auditioned for Jesus Christ Superstar without realising I was auditioning for it.
“Fast forward a year or two, they asked me to take on the role and I was just like, ‘Why?’”
Ryder did not achieve mainstream success until his thirties, after years performing in small venues and uploading covers online while working in construction.
He released his second album, Heartland, last October, followed by his first headline show at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
His latest career milestone represents yet another pinch-me moment.
“I’m so excited… I can’t stop dreaming about it, those dreams where the show’s the next day and you haven’t learnt your words.
“All my favourite singers have sung it before… I’m just very honoured.”
He will first however be seen on Your Song, which premieres on Channel 4 on April 12 at 9pm. Produced by the makers of The Piano, the series features members of the public performing original songs on pop-up stages across the UK.
“There was nothing but good feeling and spirit and heart in the show,” he said.
He added: “We’re just giving them the opportunity to get on stage and sing, and that’s what music’s all about.”
