The production willtake placeat the Hollywood Bowl Amphitheaterfrom August 1 to August 3, 2025.Sergio Trujillo willserve asdirector and choreographer, while Stephen Oremus willact asmusical director.
HighlightsCynthia Erivo to play Jesus in new Jesus Christ Superstar, sparking online debate.The musical will be at the Hollywood Bowl from August 1-3, 2025.Cynthia previously played Mary Magdalene in an all-female 2020 production.Critics claim casting was politically motivated.
So far, noother actors or actresses have been confirmed, but the announcement ignited outrage on social media.
“Well, she ain’t got the part because of any ability of playing a Jewish male,” one user wrote. “Imagine being hired because of skin rather than talent.”
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Cynthia Erivo was confirmed to play Jesus Christ in a new version of the musicalJesus Christ Superstar, igniting fierce debate online
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Available seats gofrom $400 to $875, with the more expensive Pool Circle and Garden seats at $1270 and $995 eachbeingunavailable.
Image credits:The Kennedy Center
Despite the controversial casting, this isn’t the first timeErivoparticipated in aJesus Christ Superstarproduction.
She previously played the role ofMary Magdalene in an all-female version of the musicalin 2020, with singer Morgan James taking on the role of Jesus at the time.
“I am so honored that all of these superstar women said ‘yes’ and came to the studio with such graciousness and sense of collaboration,” James said.
Image credits:Clear Space Theatre
While the announcement proved divisive, fans of Erivo looked forward to hearing her sing again after delivering an award-winning performance inWicked.
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Erivo, who is currently in the race to become Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars, said that her role asElphabaallowed her to portray the struggles of being a “Black woman when nobody wants you there.”
Specifically, the actress said that the witch’sgreen skinsymbolically made her the “ultimate other,” being queer not just in terms of sexuality but in a broader sense of not being able to fit in with societal expectations.
Image credits:Wikimedia
“It’s a conversation about racism, but it’s also a conversation about anyone who’s been othered. It’s a conversation about queerness,” she said in an interview.
Image credits:Jimmy Kimmel Live
Her detractors, on the other hand, felt the actress was using the intellectual property to further anagendaof her own and argued similar points when her casting as Jesus was announced.
“In reverse, it would be cultural and gender appropriation! Hollywood should be ashamed,” one user wrote.
“Wait, so Jesus was female and Black? I thought Jesus came from a Middle Eastern descent,” another stated.
“My all-time favorite musical, ruined. Disgusting choice,” a reader said. “These people can’t help but inject their politics into everything they touch.”
“Feels off,” one user wrote, echoing the sentiments of many who were displeased with the casting choice
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