Cynthia Erivo at the Oscars.

British actress and singer Cynthia Erivo has been cast to play Jesus in a new production of the musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The announcement has generated divided opinion on social media and in the media. While some praise the choice as a bold and progressive decision, others consider it inappropriate or even blasphemous. The production is scheduled to run from 1 to 3 August 2025, under the direction of Sergio Trujillo and with musical direction by Stephen Oremus.

Cynthia Erivo, 38, is renowned for her talent in musical theatre and film. She recently received an Oscar nomination for her role in the film ‘Wicked’. Previously, in 2020, she played Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.