By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS

It’s a story that has inspired generations for millenniums and a musical that has awed audiences for more than 40 years, and, now, after nearly two decades in ausencia, Andrew Lloyd Weber’s and Tim Rice’s award-winning 1970 rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” is returning to Mexico with an all-star cast for a limited 20 appearances in Mexico City starting on July 12 at Mexico City’s Centro Cultural Teatro 1, followed by a two-night showing in Zapopan, Jalisco.

The updated production – inspired in part by a U.S. live video broadcast of the play by NBC in April 2018, starring John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Alice Cooper – recounts the last days of Christ projected into a modern-day urban setting, using modern technology and mass media tools.

The Mexican Spanish-language production of the play – called “Jesucristo Súper Estrella” – is being jointly produced by longtime Mexican theatrical regisseur Alejandro Gou Boy and U.S. film and television star Armando Reyes (“Chicago P.D.”), with Chilean-Canadian pop rock sensation Beto Cuevas in the starring role of Jesus and Mexican Timbiriche heartthrob Erik Rubín playing Judas.

Mexican singer and flamenco dancer María José will play the role of Mary Magdalene, Mexican pop singer Kalimba (OV7) will play Simon, Leonardo de Lozanne (Fóbia) will interpret the role of Pontius Pilate, Mexican Latino singer Yahir will play Peter, and Mexico’s iconic crooner Enrique Guzmán will return to the stage for an encore performance as Herod.

For showings and reservations, consult Ticketmaster.