Jesus Christ Superstar Musical Features Local OKC Man

Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at the Civic Center, and it features a very special cast member from right here in Oklahoma City. 

“I kind of struggled with confidence with like singing and stuff when I was younger,” said Elvie Ellis, who grew up in Oklahoma City.  

Ellis got the acting bug early while attending Classen School of Advanced Studies. 

“I did my first musical at Classen when I was in ninth grade,” said Ellis. 

“I think that was probably the first moment where I thought like wow, this could be fun to do all the time, and then I did every musical after that,” said Ellis. 

After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, Ellis worked in local theater before moving to New York. He was touring with a play when he got a call but couldn’t answer it at the time. 

“We got a fifteen minute break, so I saw that I had this missed call,” said Ellis. 

When he called the unknown number back, he got the life changing news. 

“‘Hey this is Courtney, and just wanted to let you know that we wanted to give you an offer for Jesus Christ Superstar, to play Judas,’ and I was like ‘wait, for real,’” said Ellis.  

A major role in a major play. 

“It’s definitely like the biggest role that I have been able to play, thus far in my career, and probably I would say the most vocally challenging role,” said Ellis.  

Now he’s back in Oklahoma City performing on the Civic Center stage, a stage he always dreamed of being on. 

“As an audience member I was sitting there and I thought I want to do that on this stage one day, so to be back here as one of those people on a touring production is really, really special for me,” said Ellis. 

And being back home, Ellis has already made his way to one of his favorite Oklahoma eating spots. 

“You know what would just hit the spot, is some Braum’s. So, I went to Braum’s and I got myself a junior bacon cheeseburger and a double scoop of cookies and cream ice cream in a cup and it just set me right,” said Ellis. 

He plans on taking the other cast members to Braum’s as well as a few other special places in the city. 

The show runs through this Sunday, for show times and ticket information visit www.okcbroadway.com.