No explanation was given for the cancellation of a new 54-city tour of Jesus Christ Superstar starring punk legend John “Johnny Rotten” Lydon and Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child.

Producers of the new arena version of Jesus Christ Superstar announced the cancellation of the project Friday just days before its launch in New Orleans without explanation.

The tour was to begin June 9 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans and include stops in Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Phoenix, Seattle, Las Vegas, Denver, New York City, Boston and Philadelphia.

Fran Curtis, a publicist for the show from press representative Rogers & Cowan, did not return messages seeking a reason for the cancellation.

A notice on the website offers no explanation, but says tickets will be refunded.

It is with a heavy heart we post news of the cancellation of #SuperstarTour http://t.co/QgvFxPEjcR

— JesusChristSuperstar (@JCSTheMusical) May 30, 2014

Speculation focuses on financial difficulties and perhaps a lack of interest, since producer Michael Cohl was also a producer on Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark which bombed.

When announcing the show in April, Cohl said the new show’s total costs were in the “eight figures” and they needed to make “several hundred thousand dollars” each night to keep it on the road.

The show was to star Lydon as King Herod, Williams as Mary Magdalene, Brandon Boyd of Incubus as Judas and JC Chasez of ‘N Sync as Pontius Pilate. Ben Forster, the winner of the U.K.’s prime-time contest show, Superstar, was to play the son of God.

I got fired from #JesusChristSuperstar today….but so did the rest of the cast so we're all sad together. Yeah, it's true. Tour cancelled

— Brandon Boyd (@mybrandonboyd) May 30, 2014

When it rains it pours

— JC Chasez (@JCChasez) May 30, 2014

I am in New Orleans.I was mid rehearsal with @JCChasez on the floor.Going they the end of the show. U guys must know we were ready for this.

— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) May 30, 2014

My heart is broken. My beautiful talented cast and company I adore. This wonderful show & opportunity is over. I'm so sorry I am devastated.

— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) May 30, 2014

I am so devastated. I'm sorry to everyone who got tickets and flights..Who ever fucked it up I hate u . But #IforgiveU #imjesus..wellwas x

— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) May 30, 2014

Thank u all for the amazing supportive messages. I am feeling very positive about what's next. Jcs has been amazing. Thanks to all of u. X

— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) June 1, 2014

The musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the creators of other London-based musical hits like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Evita, debuted on Broadway in 1971, and includes the songs What’s the Buzz?, Superstar, Everything’s Alright and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.

Image via YouTube