Lent is right around the corner, and I think it’s safe to say that a lot of people are going to be holding more space for faith in the near future.
Maybe old musicals will become just a tad more popular again. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hip take on the Passion of Christ, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” is coming to the Hollywood Bowl this summer.
But who will play the role of Jesus? Surely it has to be a superstar to take on the part of the Messiah. Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in “Wicked,” is up to the task, much to the joy and dismay of everyone online.
Many are concerned that a woman playing Jesus is simply Hollywood going a step too far — not to mention that she is black, bisexual and bald. They argue that an actress such as Erivo is just too distinct from how many Christians view Jesus Christ, and — viewing the role as a form of blasphemy — feel that Hollywood is attacking Christianity. With a mentality taken straight from the Pharisees in the musical, they say, “She is dangerous!” Frankly, I think that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” has been controversial since its debut in the 1970s for modernizing the timeless story we know from the Gospels. Jesus is portrayed as very human in this stage production, complete with conflicted emotions. Judas, who serves as a character foil for Jesus, is shown in a more sympathetic light than some are comfortable with. I would argue that the play does not mock or diminish the story of the Crucifixion. In fact, “Jesus Christ Superstar” does not shy away from the gory details present in the Bible at all. I saw the local youth theater production just this past summer and was shocked at how much time was devoted to the brutal whipping of Jesus. The entire show is all about showing mercy and love to others by standing up against a cruel society, which I think is a lesson we could all stand to learn from.
Cynthia Erivo as Jesus is an exciting thing for me. Her vocals are really powerful — just what I wanted from a superstar. She has experience with the soundtrack, too, after performing as Mary Magdalene on an all-female recording of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Critiquing her for being black is also bizarre, especially after John Legend’s incredible portrayal of Christ in 2018. It is simply unfair to claim that Erivo is unfit for the role until we see what she can do. With the way her career is taking off to the western sky, I would say Erivo’s potential is unlimited.
Tim Rice, who co-wrote “Jesus Christ Superstar” with Andrew Lloyd Webber, argues that Cynthia Erivo is a great choice. He claims that none of us really know what Jesus looked like, so it can be exciting to see different takes on previously established narratives. The musical is an excellent way to connect modern audiences with the ancient religious text, so we should be taking every chance to create a truly relatable show that can reach wide audiences. Let’s all take some time to move past our unadulterated loathing and come together to celebrate talented people and a moving story. So if you care to find me this summer, I’ll be defying hatred by simply sitting back and enjoying the show.
