Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Cynthia Erivo is transcendent in Hollywood Bowl’s amped up presentation of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

• By drediman
• August 7, 2025
• No Comments

Last weekend in Los Angeles, I had the great opportunity of attending the starry production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, which played for a handful of performances at the storied Hollywood Bowl. For those of you unfamiliar with the work, it depicts Christ’s Passion — that is, the eventful, dramatic days leading up to the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Led by superstars (pun intended, of course) Cynthia Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas, the production defiantly distinguished itself for casting two openly queer performers in the show’s central roles. Rightfully, it was one of the hottest tickets of the summer anywhere.

First and foremost, the resplendently-voiced Erivo was nothing less than transcendent in the title role. Otherworldly and in possession of the ability of conveying an expansive inner life, the stage and screen star is an absolutely captivating presence in the arguably under-written role. One of the key aspects of Lloyd Webber and Rice’s musical — initially a 1970 concept album — is how it highlights Christ’s humanity to the point of questioning his divinity. The genius of Erivo’s performance is that she not only to portrayed this ambiguity, she also somehow managed to tap into the divine while doing so. Suffice to say, her rendition of the epic aria “Gethsemane” was nothing short of miraculous. As her conflicted antagonist, Lambert made for a manic and fabulously flamboyant Judas — a potent contrast to Erivo’s largely introverted Jesus.

Rounding out the Grade A cast were Phillipa Soo as a lovely Mary Magdalene, the ever emotive and perfectly cast Raul Esparza as Pontius Pilate, and a wonderfully game John Stamos (stepping in for an ailing Josh Gad on opening night) as an amusingly vaudevillian Herod. Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar was directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo — a veteran in the business of putting on high energy musical productions — with pop and an exquisite sense of forward momentum. By focusing on the music and thrilling dance, Trujillo‘s amped up staging effectively camouflaged any weaknesses in the storytelling. With a production and cast this spectacular, let’s hope that we haven’t seen the last of this Superstar.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Regional, Musical
Hollywood Bowl
Approximately 2 hours (with one intermission)
Closed