Cynthia Erivo is set to play Jesus Christ this summer in a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl. Erivo shared the news via Instagram and wrote: “Just a little busy this summer, can’t wait.” She’s no stranger to the show, having starred as Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the hit musical in 2020 and sung the popular number “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”
Performances for “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl will begin on Aug. 1 and run through Aug. 3. More casting will be announced at a later date. Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo is serving as director and choreographer for the show, while Tony winner Stephen Oremus is set to serve as musical director and conductor.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” was initially released as a concept album before it made its Broadway debut in 1971. The musical revolves around the last week of Jesus’ life. A film adaptation directed by Norman Jewison opened in 1973. NBC aired “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” on Easter Sunday in 2018 with John Legend as Jesus Christ and Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene.
Erivo will take on the role of Jesus Christ amid a busy time in her career. She’s currently nominated for the Oscar for best actress thanks to her role as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s big screen adaptation of “Wicked.” Erivo is only the second Black woman to play Elphaba in a major production of “Wicked.” Alexia Khadime was the first Black woman to portray the character full-time (Khadime starred in the West End production from 2008-2010 and returned to the role in 2023).
“I hope it’s a bit of a love letter to everyone who feels different, who feels out of place, to all of the Black women who have walked into rooms and felt like they haven’t been welcomed,” Erivo previously said about her “Wicked” role.
Erivo will reprise her role as Elphaba in “Wicked: For Good,” in theaters this November from Universal Pictures.
From Variety US