The Hollywood Bowl tradition of the annual star-studded musical returns with Jesus Christ Superstar, the global phenomenon by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber that has wowed audiences for decades.
Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner, and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo is cast as Jesus. This marks the first time a major production of the musical will feature a woman in the role of Jesus. Erivo previously starred as Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the show.
The British actress and singer is known for her work on both stage and screen. Most recently she starred as Elphaba in the movie Wicked, earning an Academy Award nomination for her role, as well as a nomination for best original song for “Stand Up” from the movie. Erivo made her West End debut in the stage musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. She later made her Broadway debut playing Celie in the musical revival of The Color Purple. Erivo’s work for the production won her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, as well as a Daytime Emmy Award.
Grammy-nominated superstar entertainer Adam Lambert has been cast as “Judas” and will star opposite Erivo. An award-winning singer/songwriter, actor, producer, philanthropist and LGBTQ+ trailblazer, Lambert has previously been cast in iconic stage roles, most recently his critically acclaimed role of “Emcee” in the Tony Award-winning production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, which marked his official Broadway debut, as well as the first National Tour and Los Angeles Company of Wicked (Ensemble, Fiyero U/S).
Josh Gad (Olaf in Frozen, Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon Tony nomination) has been cast as King Herod and Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton Tony and Emmy nomination, ABC/Hulu Doctor Odyssey) as Mary Magdalene.
Milo Manheim (Disney Channel Zombies; Seymour in off-Broadway Little Shop of Horrors) will take on the role of Peter; and Raúl Esparza (Bobby in Company Tony nomination; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) will play Pontius Pilate.
A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for decades, Jesus Christ Superstar is a timeless work that explores the biblical portrayal of the extraordinary events that led to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles among Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire. Originally released as a concept album, the iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” and “Gethsemane.
Jesus Christ Superstar, returning to its rock roots, features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo as director and choreographer, Tony winner Stephen Oremus as musical director and conductor, casting by The Telsey Office, and is produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt.
Jesus Christ Superstar was originally performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1971.
It returns again with its star-studded case to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, August 1, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 2, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, August 3, at 7:30 p.m. Subscriptions and single tickets for the Hollywood Bowl’s 2025 summer season are available at the Bowl box office at 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles; online at hollywoodbowl.com or via phone order at (323) 850-2000.
