Congratulations to Tim Minchin for winning Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at the What's On Stage Awards 2013

CONGRATULATIONS TO TIM MINCHIN FOR WINNING The W&P LONGREACH Best Supporting Actor in a Musicalhttp://awards.whatsonstage.com/The UK's first-ever arena production of Jesus Christ Superstar launched from London’s O2 last September before touring to stadia across the UK and being seen by more than 150,000 people. It starred Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and ITV’s Superstar competition winner Ben Forster in the title role, who all reprise their acclaimed performances for seven new tour dates (including The O2) announced for March.In this year's Whatsonstage.com Awards, the only major UK theatre awards decided across the board by the public, Jesus Christ Superstar has been nominated for five major prizes, including Best Musical Revival, Theatre Event of the Year and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Minchin and Melanie C, respectively.Voting continues until 31 January and winners are announced on the night at the Whatsonstage.com Awards Concert and Ceremony, hosted by comedians Rufus Hound (about to make his West End debut in National Theatre hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors) and Mel Giedroyc (The Great British Bake-off). Jesus Christ Superstar and its leads are in contention in various categories with other big musicals from 2012 including The Bodyguard, Sweeney Todd, Singin’ in the Rain, Top Hat, Cabaret and Kiss Me, Kate.At the Whatsonstage.com Awards, Minchin and Melanie C will perform in a section honouring Jesus Christ Superstar, singing Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice classics, “Heaven on Their Minds” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”.Both stars have enjoyed previous success in the Whatsonstage.com Awards. Minchin, the internationally renowned comedian who marked his UK musical stage debut with Jesus Christ Superstar, won London Newcomer of the Year last year for his musical writing debut, the RSC adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, while Melanie C was nominated in 2010 for her first West End role, playing Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, for which she was also nominated for an Olivier Award.The Whatsonstage.com Awards, now in their 13th year, are voted for by more than 50,000 theatregoers each year. Theatregoers can vote – at www.whatsonstage.com/vote - across all 27 Awards categories until 11.59pm on Thursday 31 January.