Broadway Actress Set To Star As Jesus
Cynthia Erivo, a Black British actress known for her role in “Wicked,” has been cast to play Jesus in an upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar. This follows her previous portrayal of Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the musical in 2020. The announcement, made on February 18, regarding Erivo’s role as the Son of God in the musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, has sparked criticism from some pastors and Christian groups. Despite the backlash, Erivo is widely recognized for her talents, having won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards, and received three Oscar nominations for her work, including her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the 2020 film Harriet.
Erivo, who attended Catholic school in London, has also been regarded as an LGBT icon. In a 2022 British Vogue cover, she identified as bisexual. She has spoken openly about the intersection between her faith and sexual identity, stating that she doesn’t let restrictive views of religion shape her beliefs. In an interview with Elle magazine, Erivo expressed her view that faith is larger than rigid rules and emphasized the importance of love and kindness toward others as the core of her spiritual belief.
The casting decision drew strong reactions, including from Pastor John K. Amanchukwu Sr., who criticized the choice by describing Erivo as “too bald, brown, and bi[sexual]” to portray Jesus. He argued that casting a woman as Jesus was a form of blasphemy, claiming Hollywood would not tolerate such a portrayal in other religions. Despite the controversy, Erivo is not the first unconventional actor cast in the role; in 2018, pop star John Legend was cast as Jesus in a televised version of Jesus Christ Superstar, which also received mixed reactions.
Erivo’s role in Jesus Christ Superstar comes alongside her work on the film adaptation of Wicked, where she starred with Ariana Grande. The two actresses hinted that the story had an “inherent queerness” that went beyond sexuality. Grande, who played Glinda, suggested that her character might be “a little in the closet,” speaking to the broader themes of love in the story. However, these themes, especially the portrayal of same-sex attraction, have been criticized by groups like One Million Moms, who warned the film could desensitize younger audiences by promoting an LGBT lifestyle.
Performances of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl are scheduled to begin in August, and Wicked: For Good is expected to be released in November.