Talk about a casting choice that’s got theater fans buzzing — the Hollywood Bowl just dropped some seriously exciting news for their 2025 summer season. Adam Lambert’s taking on Judas Iscariot in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” performing alongside Tony powerhouse Cynthia Erivo in what’s shaping up to be a groundbreaking interpretation of the classic rock opera.
The Bowl’s decision to pair Lambert’s raw vocal prowess with Erivo’s transformative talent feels almost too perfect. Lambert, fresh off his acclaimed stint as the Emcee in “Cabaret,” brings exactly the kind of theatrical electricity that Judas demands. And really, who better to tackle those iconic rock vocals than someone who’s been channeling Freddie Mercury with Queen for the past decade?
This production’s got some serious creative muscle behind it. Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo’s directing, while Stephen Oremus (sporting both Tony and Grammy hardware) handles the musical direction. They’re promising to strip things back to the show’s concept album roots — which, let’s be honest, is exactly what the Hollywood Bowl deserves. After all, this venue hosted the show’s premiere way back in ’71, before it exploded into a Broadway sensation.
There’s something particularly fitting about the timing of this announcement. Theater’s been going through quite the evolution lately, and this gender-blind casting feels less like a statement and more like a natural progression. Erivo’s already proven she can transform any role she touches — just look at her upcoming turn as Elphaba in the “Wicked” film adaptation.
Speaking of “Wicked,” here’s a neat bit of symmetry: Lambert actually cut his teeth in that show’s LA company from 2005-08. Seems these two stars have been circling each other’s orbits for quite a while.
The Bowl’s only staging three performances, which means tickets are bound to become summer 2025’s hottest commodity. And with the role of Mary Magdalene still under wraps? Well, that’s just adding fuel to an already blazing fire of anticipation.
LA Phil President Kim Noltemy sounds pretty confident about the whole thing. “We’re especially thrilled to welcome Adam Lambert,” she says, highlighting how this production’s going to honor the show’s legendary status while pushing some boundaries.
For the Hollywood Bowl, it’s another jewel in their crown of spectacular musical productions. There’s something magical about experiencing theater under the stars, backed by the LA Phil — even more so when it’s breaking new ground while paying homage to its rock opera roots.
Wonder who’ll end up completing this stellar cast as Mary Magdalene? Whoever lands the role better bring their A-game — they’ll be in some pretty extraordinary company.
Leave a Reply