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Michael Paynter Releases 'Gethsemane' After Global Fan Demand

Monday March 30 2026

Key Facts:

• Releasing studio version of Gethsemane on 31 March following viral success of live performances in Jesus Christ Superstar.
• Currently touring The Great Australian Songbook with many sold-out dates nationwide.
• Will star in Sydney Theatre Company's Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical later this year.

Fresh from winning the Green Room “Best Actor In A Leading Role” Award for his acclaimed portrayal of Jesus in the blockbuster Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar and ahead of stepping into the shoes of another iconic Australian 'Jesus', when he stars as music legend John Farnham later this year in Sydney Theatre Company’s Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical, vocal powerhouse Michael Paynter is answering the prayers of fans: releasing an official studio recording of "Gethsemane," the song from Jesus Christ Superstar that went viral around the world, arriving on Spotify on March 31.

 

The overwhelming fan response to his live performances fuelled global demand for a studio version. Since his time in the show, fan-captured and live videos of Paynter's staggering performance have gone wild around the international musical theatre community, clocking millions of views across multiple platforms, drawing him high-profile fans across the globe. Now, fans all over the country who have been pleading for a way to relive the experience are finally getting their wish. "Ever since I started ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, I've had literally thousands of people crying out for a cast recording, begging me over and over again to have a version of Gethsemane that they could take home and listen to," Paynter says.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE MICHAEL PERFORM “GETHSEMANE”

 

This April will mark the arrival of the first Easter since the show's conclusion, and Paynter says the timing to answer those prayers is undeniable. "I can’t think of a better time to release a song about the most important moment of Easter, Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane, than now," he explains. He notes the release acts as a "thank you to the whole country for coming out to see me in the show, and for all the incredible messages they sent."

To ensure the recording remains utterly faithful to the live Australian Jesus Christ Superstar experience that fans are hungry for, Paynter took on the massive task of producing it himself. "I painstakingly recreated the entire song," he points out. "I played every French horn part, every viola part, I programmed every hit of those drums. It took me weeks. I recreated every single element by ear to capture the live magic we found in the show."

 

While he brought in his Superstar bandmates, lead guitarist Simon Hosford, bassist Ben Rodgers, and associate musical director Damon Wade on piano, the rest of the track's massive orchestration was meticulously crafted by Paynter "on my laptop in my home studio." Capturing the raw, breathtaking emotion of his stage performance was paramount. "The entire vocal was recorded in pretty much one take, with some small drop ins, to make sure it was the best version of the song I could manage to produce" Paynter reveals. "I just really wanted to put something down, you know, for forever. So, people could remember it and we could always look back and be proud of what we did in that show."

 

In addition to the highly demanded new single, Paynter has begun rehearsals to take on the most anticipated role in Australian theatre and the mantle of "The Voice". He is also currently on the road with his Great Australian Songbook Tour 2026. The intimate solo tour sees him stripping back the layers to reimagine some of the nation's most iconic hits with just a guitar and piano. Demand has been unprecedented, with several dates already completely sold out, including stops in Perth, Adelaide, Frankston, Sydney, Avoca Beach, Brisbane, and a massive four-night sold out run at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre. Limited tickets are still available for select upcoming dates, including Perth at the Astor Theatre along with stops in Canberra, Geelong, and Tasmania.

 

Here’s what the critics are saying:

 

“His voice carries a luminous clarity that seems to refract emotion rather than simply deliver melody. It moves easily from velvet softness into a muscular belt without losing shape or intention. To say it is truly remarkable is not only an understatement but also borders on being disingenuous”.  Beyond The Encore

 

“When I saw Michael as Jesus, I saw Jesus for the first time as a real person”

Amanda Keller, ABC TV & Gold Radio Network

 

“With nothing more than musical instinct, charisma and a phenomenal voice, Paynter turns the Australian Songbook into something alive and immediate”.   On Your Markus

 

CLICK HERE TO STREAM GETHSEMANE FROM MARCH 31

 

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN SONGBOOK IS TOURING NATIONALLY WITH TICKETS VIA MICHAELPAYNTER.COM

 

Saturday 11 April Matinee: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW - SOLD OUT

Saturday 11 April: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW - SOLD OUT

Sunday 12 April: Avoca Beach Theatre, Avoca Beach, NSW - SOLD OUT

Wednesday 22 April: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW – LIMITED TICKETS

Thursday 23 April: The Foundry, Sydney, NSW – LIMITED TICKETS

Friday 24 April:  The Regent Theatre, Richmond, Sydney NSW – SELLING FAST

Saturday 2 May: Lefty's Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD – SOLD OUT

Sunday 3 May: Lefty's Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD – SOLD OUT

Friday 8 May: Playhouse Theatre, Canberra, ACT – SELLING FAST

Friday 15 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT

Saturday 16 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT

Sunday 17 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT

Friday 29 May: Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, VIC – SOLD OUT

Wednesday 3 June: Astor Theatre, Perth, WA – SELLING FAST

Saturday June 13: The Story Theatre, Geelong VIC – SELLING FAST

Friday 10 July: Festival of Voices, Hobart, TAS

 

About us:

About Michael Paynter 

One of Australia's most successful songwriters and music producers, Michael Paynter is set to star as John Farnham in the Sydney Theatre Company’s highly anticipated world premiere production of Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical this November. Currently headlining the Great Australian Songbook national tour, which rapidly expanded from 8 to over 20 dates nationwide after the initial run completely sold out, Michael burst onto the musical theatre scene last year with a critically acclaimed debut as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, earning two major theatre awards for his performance. Highly sought-after as a world-class vocalist and musician, Paynter is a core member of the touring bands for rock legends Jimmy Barnes and ICEHOUSE, with past credits including Miley Cyrus, Robbie Williams, Delta Goodrem, and The Veronicas. He is an established force behind the scenes as writer and producer of award-winning hit albums for several high-profile acts, including Australian country music star Casey Barnes.

Contact details:

Click here for press kit and for publicity & interview opportunities please contact:

Sue McAullay - Phone: 0418 172 602 Email: [email protected]

Clint Drieberg - Phone: 0407 99 20 55 Email: [email protected]