Erivo will star in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl- Page 4

[jazzicat]

Posted: 8/1/25 at 9:56pm

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "EvanstonDad said: "So there's a video of Adam Lambert recording a single of "Heaven on Their Minds" due for release on August 1 (I think). Could that be an indication that this production is going to get a recording? Would sell a kidney to hear this cast perform this show."

I'm hearing that was the original plan, but ALW has backed off on an initial vote of confidence at least practically the eleventh hour (shades of the 2006 film reunion benefit, which also featured Ben Vereen and Jack Black, andJesus Christ Superstar GOSPELin 2009). The producers are pissed because they thought this production had enough "X" factor to either tour or go to Broadway, to the point that they were even building future prospects around Erivo's schedule. What I'm told is that ALW is instead banking on the success of two other high-profile iterations coming down the pike within the next couple of years."

I assume you mean Evita and Phantom… anything else?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/1/25 at 10:37pm

No, two high-profile iterations of JCS specifically.

[schubox]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 12:01am

At intermission. Adam Lambert has been incredible in this

 

Also not sure if he’s naturally tall or he’s tall and wearing boots with thick soles. But he towers over Erivo. She looks like a little kid next to him 

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 12:01 AM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 12:37am

She is 5'1.  He is 6'1

[schubox]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 1:14am

So quick thoughts, Adam Lambert was absolutely incredible throughout for me. Erivo was great but seemed to get stronger as it went. Her Gethsemane was extremely moving and emotional. She received a very lengthy standing ovation that seemed to overwhelm her by the end of it. Stamos was fine, you could tell he was not totally comfortable but did the job. 

[Dan6]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 2:41am

I've seen every just about every summer musical at the Bowl since they started doing them, and this was far and away the best they've ever done. I was privileged to be invited by friends with a Pool Circle box (between the stage and the passerelle), and we were all absolutely blown away by this performance, particularly for a first night. Cynthia Erivo's "Gethsemane" was breathtaking, and from up close I could see her tears...and a beautiful moment when Adam Lambert wiped them away just before the Judas kiss. She brought a fragility to Jesus that I hadn't seen before and that deepened the emotional impact of the entire show. Lambert, Phillipa Soo, Raul Esparza, and Tyrone Huntley (as Simon) were all in outstanding voice and perfectly cast. If there was a weak spot, it was John Stamos, who can certainly be forgiven having stepped in a couple of days ago. Sergio Trujillo's direction and choreography were dynamic, energetic, and made outstanding use of the huge Bowl stage. And the band and 37-piece orchestra made that score sound better than I've ever heard it. I'm going to hit StubHub to see if I can get a ticket to go back tomorrow or Sunday, but wow what a wonderful theatrical experience this was.

I did manage to capture some video, so enjoy!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6rdumTJHuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYuES9u6Lko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMJ21q8Ub2g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkssb8JuJOk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFjBV470KXs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OIEmx9IWXs

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 02:41 AM

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 4:15am

Dan6 said: "I've seen every just about every summer musical at the Bowl since they started doing them, and this was far and away the best they've ever done. I was privileged to be invited by friends with a Pool Circle box (between the stage and the passerelle), and we were all absolutely blown away by this performance, particularly for a first night. Cynthia Erivo's "Gethsemane" was breathtaking, and from up close I could see her tears...and a beautiful moment when Adam Lambert wiped them away just before the Judas kiss. She brought a fragility to Jesus that I hadn't seen before and that deepened the emotional impact of the entire show. Lambert, Phillipa Soo, Raul Esparza, and Tyrone Huntley (as Simon) were all in outstanding voice and perfectly cast. If there was a weak spot, it was John Stamos, who can certainly be forgiven having stepped in a couple of days ago. Sergio Trujillo's direction and choreography were dynamic, energetic, and made outstanding use of the huge Bowl stage. And the band and 37-piece orchestra made that score sound better than I've ever heard it. I'm going to hit StubHub to see if I can get a ticket to go back tomorrow or Sunday, but wow what a wonderful theatrical experience thiswas.

I did manage to capture some video, so enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6rdumTJHuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYuES9u6Lko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMJ21q8Ub2g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkssb8JuJOk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFjBV470KXs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OIEmx9IWXs"

That "Gethsemane" is something else!!! Wow. Incredibly sung and acted -- and the response of Ms. Erivo to the crowd's reaction was moving as well. Call me a heathen, but I almost prefer the song on a female voice. 

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 4:26am

What type of merch did they sell? Where there posters or souvenir programs (other than the one the Hollywood Bowl gives out)???

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 4:34am

Thanks so much for the great write up and videos Dan. Practically like being there!!

Reports on Reddit are overall raves aside from Stamos. Here’s a great photo of Raul and Cynthia. That height difference really makes an impact. 
https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/s/0QZNZXGwAD

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 04:34 AM

[Dan6]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 5:04am

JoseLee_ said: "What type of merch did they sell? Where there posters or souvenir programs (other than the one the Hollywood Bowl gives out)???"

No posters or souvenir programs that I saw. They had caps and sweatshirts with the angels logo from the brown album, and tees (short- and long-sleeved) that included Erivo’s and Lambert’s names, Hollywood Bowl, and I think the dates. 

[schubox]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 8:57am

Dan6 said: "JoseLee_ said: "What type of merch did they sell? Where there posters or souvenir programs (other than the one the Hollywood Bowl gives out)???"

No posters or souvenir programs that I saw. They had caps and sweatshirts with the angels logo from the brown album, and tees (short- and long-sleeved) that included Erivo’s and Lambert’s names, Hollywood Bowl, and I think the dates."

There was a poster, it was $75 and I think it was just a generic JCS, not sure it had anything more specific. Honestly the prices were so insane once I saw them I didn’t spend much time looking at the merch 

[schubox]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 9:24am

Took a couple of videos too, not nearly as close as the others ha

https://youtu.be/lYM7ghCCHNw?si=BoiX0LbFiaR4bGCP

https://youtu.be/TgUiauWrOyQ?si=VgWOLHVAfQF2dFPC

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 09:24 AM

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 9:32am

Ok that was rather impressive. 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 11:42am

THANK YOU TheatreMonkey so much for those videos...WOW...I was not able to see this in person, but now i get to see  how great this show was...

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 11:47am

Friday night was an amazing performance on all fronts: brilliant staging, strong cast with real Bway cred, gorgeous lighting and video design, a knockout show all around. Philipa Su’s Mary Magdalene was lovely as expected, and Raul Esparza’s Pontus Pilate was unexpectedly riveting.

But honestly, the night was always gonna be a battle for supremacy between Cynthia Erivo’s Jesus and Adam Lambert’s Judas, and I’ve gotta say Adam came out on top— just a staggeringly good portrayal— every lyric clear and every note in his comfort zone— a sexy scary bitter showman who has to kill the thing he loves. Gorgeous!

Erivo sang beautifully throughout — her GESTHAMANE was justly moving— but I think she was working at a distinct disadvantage (and not just because she was the shortest performer onstage). When a man sings those money notes so high out of his range, you get goosebumps down your spine; when a woman does it you think “sure, of course, what’s the big deal?” The audience certainly loved Erivo, and those tears pouring down her face were real, no question. But for me, Adam won the night hands down. One of the very best shows at the Bowl in recent memory. 

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 11:47 AM

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 11:48am

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "THANK YOU TheatreMonkey so much for those videos...WOW...I was not able to see this in person, but now i get to see how great this show was..."

Oh, I was just quoting Dan6's original post with the video links -- can't take credit for those!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 11:54am

if Erivo's schedule wasn't jammed packed, i'd say there might a shot of a short, limited engagement Broadway run. But it seems highly unlikely.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 12:39pm

TheatreMonkey said: "broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "THANK YOU TheatreMonkey so much for those videos...WOW...I was not able to see this in person, but now i get to see how great this show was..."

Oh, I was just quoting Dan6's original post with the video links -- can't take credit for those!"

then THANK YOU to Dan6 as well!!

[Dolly80]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 12:43pm

Wow these videos are amazing. What talent on that stage. Wish I could be there to watch it.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 1:35pm

Thanks for your videos also schubox! How absolutely thrilling. The laughs during This Jesus demonstrate that the crowd was totally tuned in and on board.

ALW must be so happy. Not as though he hasn’t always been popular, but this current time is a true renaissance of someone who never went away. He’s being cemented as the undisputed musical theatre KING.

Updated On: 8/2/25 at 01:35 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 2:00pm

Digitally, a track of Adam Lambert singing "Heaven On Their Minds" has been released on a number of platforms. It sounds great.

Updated On: 8/3/25 at 02:00 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 3:38pm

Gad is going on tomorrow.

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 4:07pm

Thank you SO MUCH for your videos,TheaterMonkey!!! I felt like I was really there watching Adam Lambert,Cynthia Erivo,Philippa Soo,Raul Esparza,and the company perform right in front of me--all the way here in my little home in the south! Cynthia's Gethsemane moved me to tears. I sang along a little with some of the other songs. I wish so badly this could be released as an album. I'd buy it in a minute.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 4:11pm

DAME said: "Gad is going on tomorrow."

Well thank Gad for that!

With that change I suspect it will be quite a perfect performance.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 8/2/25 at 4:23pm

MichelleCraig said: "Digitally, a track of Adam Lambert has been released on a number of platforms. It sounds great."

Hope this portends to a full live album! He sounds incredible!