Cynthia Erivo to Portray Jesus in a Bold New Staging of the Rock Opera
Adam Lambert will take on the role of Judas this summer in a star-studded revival of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, with Tony and Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo starring opposite him as Jesus, the Los Angeles Philharmonic announced.
The production marks a return to the Bowl’s tradition of fully staged Broadway musicals and will run for three nights: August 1–3. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud), the staging aims to restore the rock opera’s original 1970s sound, featuring the iconic music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.
Lambert, a Grammy-nominated singer and Broadway performer known for his recent turn as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, joins an all-star cast that includes Phillipa Soo (Hamilton) as Mary Magdalene, Raúl Esparza (Company, Law & Order: SVU) as Pontius Pilate, Josh Gad (Frozen, Book of Mormon) as King Herod, and Milo Manheim (Zombies) as Peter.
The musical direction will be led by Tony and Grammy winner Stephen Oremus (Wicked, Kinky Boots), with design contributions from Jason Ardizzone-West (scenic), Emilio Sosa (costumes), Peter Nigrini (projections), and Jonathan Burke (sound). The production is presented in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt, longtime collaborators on stage and screen musical projects.
First released as a concept album in 1970, Jesus Christ Superstar dramatizes the final days of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The show explores betrayal, faith, and political turmoil in a rock-infused score that includes hits like “Superstar,” “Gethsemane,” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.” It was last staged at the Bowl in 1971.
Performances are scheduled for Friday, August 1 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 2 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and subscription packages for the Bowl’s 2025 summer season are available at hollywoodbowl.com, the Bowl box office, or by phone at 323-850-2000
