Cynthia Erivo Will Play Jesus In Musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”
In what is being framed as a "progressive" casting decision, actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is set to play Jesus Christ in "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. The announcement has been met with backlash from Christians at the blatant act of disrespect toward their faith.
The Hollywood Bowl, an open-air venue in Los Angeles, has long been a stage for unconventional productions. This summer, the venue will host Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, with actress and singer Cynthia Erivo cast in the role of Jesus.
Webber’s production has always been a controversial (and, frankly, overhyped) musical, reimagining the story of Christ’s crucifixion through a rock opera lens. But casting Erivo—a bisexual artist—to play Jesus is not just creative liberty; it’s a calculated move designed to disrespect.
It also follows the recent trend of race and sex-swapping iconic figures under the guise of inclusivity while showing little regard for the cultural or religious significance of the roles being altered.
The Christian faith is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as an actual historical figure—one who was a man. Casting a woman in the role is not merely an artistic choice; it is a theological statement, and one that many Christians find deeply offensive.
This isn’t the first time Jesus Christ Superstar has cast a woman in the role of Jesus, nor is it the first time the musical has been used to distort and undermine Christian beliefs. The very premise of Jesus Christ Superstar has always been to subvert the faith, portraying Jesus as a fallible, unsure figure while downplaying His divinity. It is less a tribute to the story of Christ and more a calculated effort to mock those who believe in Him. The latest casting decision only reinforces that intention, signaling once again that Christianity remains a favored target in Hollywood.
Some defenders of the decision argue that theater is all about "reimagining and challenging norms" (yawn), but there’s a fine line between artistic interpretation and outright disregard for a faith’s sacred figures. This is just another example of the entertainment industry’s bigotry when it comes to Christianity.
Others were quick to point out that if the stunt involved another religion, it would be denounced as cultural appropriation or religious insensitivity, highlighting Hollywood's clear anti-Christian prejudices.
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