Cynthia Erivo is in the spotlight again after being cast as Jesus in an upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.
The Wicked star, who recently earned an Oscar nomination for her role as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked film, will take on the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera, set to run in August.
According to The Hollywood Bowl website, Jesus Christ Superstar will run from August 1 to August 3.
The full cast hasn’t been announced yet, but Sergio Trujillo will direct and choreograph the production.
While some have praised Erivo’s casting as Jesus as a bold and progressive move, others have condemned it as disrespectful and “woke.”
Critics have taken to social media to express their outrage over the casting of a woman as Jesus.
A user posted, “Absolutely blasphemous. You’re mocking Christ the King.”
Another one said, “This is just plain disrespectful.”
Another user wrote, “Please stop with this nonsense of doing EVERYTHING inclusive or woke! Have some respect. This is just mockery.”
Despite the backlash, Erivo remains excited about the role.
She shared on X, “Just a little busy this summer. Can’t wait!”
Her supporters have also rallied behind her, with one fan commenting, “That’s going to be a powerhouse performance!”
Another one added, “JCS has pushed boundaries since inception. That’s the point.”
According to Deadline, Erivo portrayed Mary Magdalene in the 2020 all-female concept album Jesus Christ Superstar: She Is Risen.
Jesus Christ Superstar follows the final week of Jesus’ life. It was first staged in 1971 and has always been known for its unconventional approach to the biblical story.
The casting of Erivo continues that tradition, following past productions that have taken creative liberties with gender and race in their casting choices.
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