Evita

Cynthia Erivo, a black queer woman who just starred in the Wicked film, will play the part of Jesus Christ in the Jesus Christ Super Bowl, I'm sorry, Jesus Christ Superstar Hollywood Bowl musical. Here is Cynthia while promoting Wicked and describing who she is as a person. Take a listen.

Cynthia Erivo, a black queer woman who just starred in the Wicked film, will play the part of Jesus Christ in the Jesus Christ Super Bowl, I'm sorry, Jesus Christ Superstar Hollywood Bowl musical. Here is Cynthia while promoting Wicked and describing who she is as a person. Take a listen.

Okay, so not an appropriate Jesus at all. And I want to talk about Jesus Christ Superstar, the film, a little bit because I think it's important context of the story. Jesus Christ Superstar is a musical about the passion of Christ, and it was also adopted into a movie. in 1973, and I love this movie. It is one of my favorite films of all time. I've made him watch it a ton.

Okay, so not an appropriate Jesus at all. And I want to talk about Jesus Christ Superstar, the film, a little bit because I think it's important context of the story. Jesus Christ Superstar is a musical about the passion of Christ, and it was also adopted into a movie. in 1973, and I love this movie. It is one of my favorite films of all time. I've made him watch it a ton.

It's ridiculous how much I love this movie, especially around Easter. And the soundtrack and the dancing, it's incredible. And in that era of the 60s and 70s, everything was very irreverent and purposely subversive toward Christianity. And believe me, I am somebody who's really sensitive to that kind of thing, sensitive to people being irreverent and subversive of Christianity.

It's ridiculous how much I love this movie, especially around Easter. And the soundtrack and the dancing, it's incredible. And in that era of the 60s and 70s, everything was very irreverent and purposely subversive toward Christianity. And believe me, I am somebody who's really sensitive to that kind of thing, sensitive to people being irreverent and subversive of Christianity.

You guys know you listen to the show. I care a lot about that. At the same time, Jesus Christ Superstar, I don't feel is disrespectful. Jesus Christ Superstar uses the hippie culture, rock opera, modern dancing, modern clothing, and yet somehow still manages, in my opinion, to be thoughtful and respectful. One of my favorite moments is when Jesus is brought to Herod.

You guys know you listen to the show. I care a lot about that. At the same time, Jesus Christ Superstar, I don't feel is disrespectful. Jesus Christ Superstar uses the hippie culture, rock opera, modern dancing, modern clothing, and yet somehow still manages, in my opinion, to be thoughtful and respectful. One of my favorite moments is when Jesus is brought to Herod.

and Herod is this sort of flamboyant, overweight, decadent guy. It's actually very queer coded. You can see that this this sort of you get a sense that Herod is is a sexual heathen and kind of a glutton and he's portrayed as disgusting. And even the queerness around this musical number that he's in is viewed as pretty disgusting and not

and Herod is this sort of flamboyant, overweight, decadent guy. It's actually very queer coded. You can see that this this sort of you get a sense that Herod is is a sexual heathen and kind of a glutton and he's portrayed as disgusting. And even the queerness around this musical number that he's in is viewed as pretty disgusting and not

not uh and immoral and he sings this mocking song with this theatrical flair and it's playful and yet it's also repulsive and i think this scene actually does an amazing job of creatively emphasizing the vapid emptiness of earthly authority which is rightfully presented as nothing but a literal joke in the face of god himself in the face of jesus christ

not uh and immoral and he sings this mocking song with this theatrical flair and it's playful and yet it's also repulsive and i think this scene actually does an amazing job of creatively emphasizing the vapid emptiness of earthly authority which is rightfully presented as nothing but a literal joke in the face of god himself in the face of jesus christ

And there's another moment, Michael, we can throw this up there. There's another moment when Judas, the character who plays Judas, is running away from military tanks, representing his internal turmoil and desperation after betraying Jesus. Now, were there military tanks in 33 AD? The answer is no.

And there's another moment, Michael, we can throw this up there. There's another moment when Judas, the character who plays Judas, is running away from military tanks, representing his internal turmoil and desperation after betraying Jesus. Now, were there military tanks in 33 AD? The answer is no.

The image of him running away in a modern, almost cinematic way contrasts sharply with the biblical account, but this woman, I think, powerfully captures his sense of guilt, of fear, abandonment. The tanks in our modern minds are a symbol of power and authority, and I think it highlights the crushing weight

The image of him running away in a modern, almost cinematic way contrasts sharply with the biblical account, but this woman, I think, powerfully captures his sense of guilt, of fear, abandonment. The tanks in our modern minds are a symbol of power and authority, and I think it highlights the crushing weight

the crushing weight of judas's decision to betray jesus and the irreparable consequences that follow so while the scene departs from traditional biblical imagery it keeps the emotional and spiritual core intact by portraying judas's internal struggle and the overwhelming sense of guilt regret that he feels leading eventually to suicide

the crushing weight of judas's decision to betray jesus and the irreparable consequences that follow so while the scene departs from traditional biblical imagery it keeps the emotional and spiritual core intact by portraying judas's internal struggle and the overwhelming sense of guilt regret that he feels leading eventually to suicide

The modern context and visual intensity, I think, enhances the emotional resonance of Judas's fall while still reflecting profound spiritual themes. What I'm trying to say is that Jesus Christ as a superstar bridges the gap between the ancient and the modern, making the biblical story feel accessible while maintaining the depth of its emotional and spiritual core.

The modern context and visual intensity, I think, enhances the emotional resonance of Judas's fall while still reflecting profound spiritual themes. What I'm trying to say is that Jesus Christ as a superstar bridges the gap between the ancient and the modern, making the biblical story feel accessible while maintaining the depth of its emotional and spiritual core.