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39
“These People Are Disgusting”: Netizens Furious Over Cynthia Erivo’s Casting As Jesus In New Musical
In a move labeled as “disrespectful” by a segment of viewers, Cynthia Erivo, the actress behind Disney Wicked’s Elphaba, was announced to take on the role of none other than Jesus Christ in a new version of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The production will take place at the Hollywood Bowl Amphitheater from August 1 to August 3, 2025. Sergio Trujillo will serve as director and choreographer, while Stephen Oremus will act as musical director.
Highlights
- Cynthia 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, no other 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.”
RELATED:
Cynthia Erivo was confirmed to play Jesus Christ in a new version of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, igniting fierce debate online
Image credits: Neil Mockford/Getty Images
“This brand-new production sees Jesus Christ Superstar returning to its rock roots and features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber,” the Hollywood Bowl’s website states.
Available seats go from $400 to $875, with the more expensive Pool Circle and Garden seats at $1270 and $995 each being unavailable.
Image credits: The Kennedy Center
Despite the controversial casting, this isn’t the first time Erivo participated in a Jesus Christ Superstar production.
She previously played the role of Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the musical in 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
The religious figure was also played by a Black actor in a 2018 version of the musical, with John Legend taking on the role for the NBC live-action remake.
While the announcement proved divisive, fans of Erivo looked forward to hearing her sing again after delivering an award-winning performance in Wicked.
Detractors condemned the casting choice, believing it to be motivated primarily by political reasons
Image credits: The Shows Must Go On!
Erivo, who is currently in the race to become Best Actress at the 2025 Oscars, said that her role as Elphaba allowed her to portray the struggles of being a “Black woman when nobody wants you there.”
Specifically, the actress said that the witch’s green skin symbolically 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 an agenda of 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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What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 months ago
We should ask the original authors of the Bible for their input on the casting choices for the characters they invented. /s
BoredLittleLeafSheep 9 months ago
There was a time in history when ALL the parts were played by men, even women characters. And now that a woman is playing a man, we're supposed to be all riled up? Not the first time a woman has played a male character, and it won't be the last. Kind of feels like we should be up at arms about other issues right now. Just saying...🤷♀️
Amanda 9 months ago
Given the fact that NO ONE really knows what Jesus looks like, I don’t give a F about who plays “him”
Don Orkoskey 9 months ago
This is awesome. I'm glad people are upset about it - let them be. This is a great casting choice and it's far past time that we move on from these outdated concepts of gender. I don't remember Jesus "hanging dong" in the musical so her genitals shouldn't preclude her from playing the role.
Gémeaux jumeaux 9 months ago
This was a fun portion of the Wikipedia entry titled "Gender of God": "In the Hebrew and Christian Bible, God is usually described in male terms in biblical sources,[1] with female analogy in Genesis 1:26–27,[i][2] Psalm 123:2-3,[ii] and Luke 15:8–10;[iii] a mother in Deuteronomy 32:18,[iv] Isaiah 66:13,[v] Isaiah 49:15,[vi] Isaiah 42:14,[vii] Psalm 131:2;[viii] and a mother hen in Matthew 23:37[ix] and Luke 13:34,[x] although never directly referred to as being female." I know we're talking Jesus here... Jesus/God, same, right? Funny enough, Erivo's co-star Ariana Grande did sing "God Is a Woman."
sakkiejoukokassbelief 9 months ago
What would Big J say? I dint think henwould mind, he loves us all equally. At least they got the ethnicity right...
Data1001 9 months ago
Couldn't be any worse than John Legend as Jesus in the 2018 live version of JCS that aired on NBC. Legend has great vocal chops within his range, but struggled with the range that this role requires. He also is not a great actor, to put it mildly. Especially compared to Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas in the same production, who imo gave us the best-ever version of that character.
Nice Beast Ludo 9 months ago
Oh God that was such a S**T SHOW! The entire thing. And people don't realize that Jesus Christ Superstar is actually about Judas Iscariot. The best version to me will always be the 1973 movie that I luckily have the DVD copy. It is just so moving regardless of religion. You can't find it on any streaming networks or even rent it. I tried and it kept saying "error." They used to air it on TV twice a year but they are trying to bury it with really bad remakes making a mockery of it. This seems like it's going to be an even bigger mockery not because of the acting choice but because it's going to be at the Hollywood Bowl. They could do something great. Let's hope.
Load More Replies...
Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 9 months ago
I love that the person who describes Jesus Christ Superstar as their favourite musical doesnt want politics in it and refers to "these people" and "disgusting". Maybe they should pay closer attention to their favourite musical next time they see it
Say No to Downvoting 9 months ago (edited)
Yes! That comment was an absolute scream! When JC Superstar first came out the church was protested it for spinning the story of the Bible (the relationship between JC and Mary Magdalene, Jesus not “knowing his purpose” and there being no resurrection etc), not to mention all the 70’s slang and rock music. It’s HARDLY a Bible story. So what the hell does it matter if they have a black woman playing Jesus? People are ridick.
Load More Replies...
Say No to Downvoting 9 months ago
Hmmm…people who like musicals, people who are interested in Christianity, people who are interested in gender and race portrayals in the arts, people who are sick of Christians trying to control what happens in the arts, people who liked Wicked and want to see what else Cynthia can do, people who just like the song “Everything’s Alright” - lots of people! Not you, though, obviously - you’re cranky at something!
Load More Replies...
Robert Beveridge 9 months ago (edited)
Funny how all this sounds identical (with added racism/sexism) to the outcry when Ian Gillan was cast in the original run. (If you don't recognize the name, Gilian was the original singer for Deep Purple.)
Subangelis Gaming 9 months ago
Whoever wrote this are idiots. First of all, it's 3 performances, an event only. Secondly, Wicked is NOT a Disney film.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 months ago
We should ask the original authors of the Bible for their input on the casting choices for the characters they invented. /s
BoredLittleLeafSheep 9 months ago
There was a time in history when ALL the parts were played by men, even women characters. And now that a woman is playing a man, we're supposed to be all riled up? Not the first time a woman has played a male character, and it won't be the last. Kind of feels like we should be up at arms about other issues right now. Just saying...🤷♀️
Amanda 9 months ago
Given the fact that NO ONE really knows what Jesus looks like, I don’t give a F about who plays “him”
Don Orkoskey 9 months ago
This is awesome. I'm glad people are upset about it - let them be. This is a great casting choice and it's far past time that we move on from these outdated concepts of gender. I don't remember Jesus "hanging dong" in the musical so her genitals shouldn't preclude her from playing the role.
Gémeaux jumeaux 9 months ago
This was a fun portion of the Wikipedia entry titled "Gender of God": "In the Hebrew and Christian Bible, God is usually described in male terms in biblical sources,[1] with female analogy in Genesis 1:26–27,[i][2] Psalm 123:2-3,[ii] and Luke 15:8–10;[iii] a mother in Deuteronomy 32:18,[iv] Isaiah 66:13,[v] Isaiah 49:15,[vi] Isaiah 42:14,[vii] Psalm 131:2;[viii] and a mother hen in Matthew 23:37[ix] and Luke 13:34,[x] although never directly referred to as being female." I know we're talking Jesus here... Jesus/God, same, right? Funny enough, Erivo's co-star Ariana Grande did sing "God Is a Woman."
sakkiejoukokassbelief 9 months ago
What would Big J say? I dint think henwould mind, he loves us all equally. At least they got the ethnicity right...
Data1001 9 months ago
Couldn't be any worse than John Legend as Jesus in the 2018 live version of JCS that aired on NBC. Legend has great vocal chops within his range, but struggled with the range that this role requires. He also is not a great actor, to put it mildly. Especially compared to Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas in the same production, who imo gave us the best-ever version of that character.
Nice Beast Ludo 9 months ago
Oh God that was such a S**T SHOW! The entire thing. And people don't realize that Jesus Christ Superstar is actually about Judas Iscariot. The best version to me will always be the 1973 movie that I luckily have the DVD copy. It is just so moving regardless of religion. You can't find it on any streaming networks or even rent it. I tried and it kept saying "error." They used to air it on TV twice a year but they are trying to bury it with really bad remakes making a mockery of it. This seems like it's going to be an even bigger mockery not because of the acting choice but because it's going to be at the Hollywood Bowl. They could do something great. Let's hope.
Load More Replies... Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo 9 months ago
I love that the person who describes Jesus Christ Superstar as their favourite musical doesnt want politics in it and refers to "these people" and "disgusting". Maybe they should pay closer attention to their favourite musical next time they see it
Say No to Downvoting 9 months ago (edited)
Yes! That comment was an absolute scream! When JC Superstar first came out the church was protested it for spinning the story of the Bible (the relationship between JC and Mary Magdalene, Jesus not “knowing his purpose” and there being no resurrection etc), not to mention all the 70’s slang and rock music. It’s HARDLY a Bible story. So what the hell does it matter if they have a black woman playing Jesus? People are ridick.
Load More Replies... Say No to Downvoting 9 months ago
Hmmm…people who like musicals, people who are interested in Christianity, people who are interested in gender and race portrayals in the arts, people who are sick of Christians trying to control what happens in the arts, people who liked Wicked and want to see what else Cynthia can do, people who just like the song “Everything’s Alright” - lots of people! Not you, though, obviously - you’re cranky at something!
Load More Replies... Robert Beveridge 9 months ago (edited)
Funny how all this sounds identical (with added racism/sexism) to the outcry when Ian Gillan was cast in the original run. (If you don't recognize the name, Gilian was the original singer for Deep Purple.)
Subangelis Gaming 9 months ago
Whoever wrote this are idiots. First of all, it's 3 performances, an event only. Secondly, Wicked is NOT a Disney film.
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