Cynthia Erivo Cast as Jesus: How Should Christians Respond?

Cynthia Erivo, known for her work as Elphaba in Wicked (2024) and Harriet Tubman in Harriet (2019), will be playing Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl's production of Jesus Christ Superstar in August 2025. As shocking as that sounds, this is not the first time a woman has sung the part of Jesus in Superstar. Back in 2017, Erivo sang Mary Magdelene’s part in a one-night concert in an all-female cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. The part of Jesus was sung by Morgan James. This was later released as the EP, She is Risen.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1973 movie musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, is a reimagining of the story of Jesus and his disciples. Inspired by Bob Dylan’s lyric, "Did Judas Iscariot have God on his side?" from the song "With God on Our Side,” Superstar follows Judas as the main character. Portrayed as a misunderstood villain, Judas continually questions Jesus’s divinity and goals throughout the film. He sells Jesus out to Caiaphas, the high priest, not for the sake of wealth but because he thinks he’s doing the right thing by turning Jesus in. In the end, Jesus is crucified but not resurrected. This leaves Judas to question who Jesus really was and what his sacrifice was worth.

Although I was a theater major in college and adore movie musicals, I had been avoiding watching this particular movie for obvious reasons. Christians have long considered this film sacrilegious, and rightly so. It should come as no surprise that anyone interested in producing this show wouldn’t take offense at a woman playing Jesus. Yet in our current political climate where culture warriors of all stripes are ready to march against their enemies, these moments of extreme liberalism seem to cut even deeper than before. Some Christians will be tempted to wield this news about Erivo’s casting as a weapon in the current culture war. But is that the proper response?

I currently work in the costuming department at a small professional theater in Southern California. It’s a secular environment, but one I am grateful to be in. And right now, production just ended for Jesus Christ Superstar. A nearby community college is doing the exact same show this semester. When I received the news that Erivo would be playing Jesus in Superstar this year, I couldn’t help but wonder why there was this sudden interest in Jesus from the theater world. I then asked my director why this show is so popular, and he attributed it to mere chance. But there is no mere chance with Jesus.

While the world sees value in reimagining the Gospels and portraying Jesus as a woman, we should see God at work in other ways. When I first heard that I would be sewing costumes for such a heretical show, I wept. Then I prayed fervently for a few days. God was very near to me in that time, providing me with wise counsel and peace that I would be a light in the darkness not of my own choosing.

I spent four days a week in the costume shop right next to the rehearsal space. While the cast sang, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” I prayed for them all by name. Just as Daniel in Babylon heard those around him pray to Nebuchadnezzar while he prayed to God (Daniel 6), I continued to pray to Jesus in my own space. Daniel was an official in Babylon doing as God had instructed Jeremiah to, “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” (Jer 29:7).

I built Caiaphas’s robe, panel, and the priest’s stole.

Will you join me in praying for the casts and crews of these shows? Instead of wielding this news as a weapon in a culture war, will you set aside your anger and offense and pray? Yes, they are getting a very distorted version of the gospel through Superstar. But let’s ask that God would reveal a different message along the way and protect them from the schemes of the devil.

Many actors dig deeply into their characters, often doing extensive research to play their part well. Let's pray that this show paves a way for them to get to know the real Jesus. Instead of being angry that a woman is playing Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl, join me in interceding on their behalf so this might be the opportunity the casts and crews need to hear the true gospel. Pray for the salvation of people like Cynthia Erivo. Ask that they would turn to Christ just as Shia LaBeouf did when he played Padre Pio in 2022. And as you see others begin to share this news, encourage them to use this opportunity to pray for the salvation of those involved.