“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo has been picked to play Jesus in the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” in several performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this summer.
The 38-year-old actress, who recently played the role of Elephaba alongside Ariana Grande in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” has landed the title role in the rock opera that will take place in August 2025, <a href="http://world.com">Broadway World.com</a> reported. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced.
Erivo captioned a post on her Instagram Stories about the announcement, “Just a little busy this summer. Can’t wait.” She previously took on the role of Mary Magdalene in the all-female 2020 concept album “Jesus Christ Superstar: She Is Risen,” <a href="https://deadline.com/2025/02/cynthia-erivo-jesus-christ-superstar-hollywood-bowl-1236293513/">Deadline</a> noted.
The “Jesus Christ Superstar” was initially released as a concept album in 1970 before it debuted on Broadway in 1971. It tells the story of “Jesus Christ’s final days, focusing on the complex relationship between Jesus and his disciple-turned-betrayer, Judas Iscariot,” the outlet noted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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.<a href="https://t.co/Sa6cSIiHdI">https://t.co/Sa6cSIiHdI</a>
— Variety (@Variety) <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1891878088360984591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
The “Superstar” musical marks the return of musicals at the Hollywood Bowl since the pandemic shut down the world, the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-02-18/hollywood-bowl-2025-schedule-cynthia-erivo-jesus-christ-superstar-gustavo-dudamel">Los Angeles Times</a> noted.
“We missed the musicals for a few years, and I think that one is a good one to return with,” L.A. Phil President and Chief Executive <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-05-01/l-a-phil-new-ceo-kim-noltemy">Kim Noltemy</a> told the Times. “Whether it be staffing or psychological transition, we needed time to get back up to running like the machine we can be when everything’s going well.”
Erivo made headlines in 2024 when an interview between her and Grande about their movie “Wicked” with “Out” magazine went viral, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ariana-grande-admits-she-didnt-know-what-holding-space-meant-during-viral-wicked-interview">reported</a>.
In the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/queer-media-journalist-adds-weirdness-to-wicked-press-tour-in-viral-video">original video</a>, self-described “queer journalist” Tracy Gilchrist told Grande and Erivo that “people have been taking the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and really holding space with that and feeling power in that,” prompting Erivo to become emotional and say, “I didn’t know that was happening. That’s really powerful,” as Grande gripped her hand and nodded along.
In the weeks after, the clip circulated online and was mocked, as many viewers have questioned what Gilchrist was talking about when she used the words “holding space.”
Following news of Erivo&#8217;s casting, some took to social media and slammed the move.
Actor Nick Searcy wrote on <a href="https://x.com/yesnicksearcy/status/1891930576468283870" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X</a>, &#8220;Hollywood is just trolling us now&#8230;&#8221;
Newsmax host Todd Starnes <a href="https://x.com/toddstarnes/status/1891930062074548494" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a>, &#8220;The Hollywood Bowl just hired a bald, black woman who identifies as queer to portray our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Cynthia Erivo will star in a revival of &#8216;Jesus Christ Superstar.&#8217; Dude. WTH?!?&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ariana-grande-admits-she-didnt-know-what-holding-space-meant-during-viral-wicked-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ariana Grande Admits She Didn’t Know What ‘Holding Space’ Meant During Viral Wicked Interview</a>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

‘Wicked’ Star To Play Jesus In Hollywood Show

Bill Murray Reveals Movie Role He Still Regrets Not Taking

Trump Schools The Left, Answers ‘What Is A Woman?’

‘Malcolm In The Middle’ Revival Will Be Missing One Major Star Who Has Left Hollywood Behind

‘Scrubs’ Star Hits Back At Critics For Commenting On Her Health After Red Carpet

‘Nightmare’: ‘Baywatch’ Alum Recalls Horrifying 13-Year Ordeal Involving Female Stalker

‘Snow White’ Producer’s Son Destroys Rachel Zegler Amid Film’s Box Office Struggles

Entertainment

Ariana Grande

Celebrities

Hollywood

Movies

U.S.

Wicked

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— Entertainment —

‘Wicked’ Star To Play Jesus In Hollywood Show