Cynthia Erivo cast as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar
For a Hollywood bowl production.
Personally I love Cynthia but I disagree with this. I think she's rediculously talented but this is courting controversy not for the right reasons but for clout. That is so unnecessary especially right now politically in America. I wouldn't care if it was even someone like Evita but JESUS. You're going to be offending a huge demogragraphic no reason other than being edgy.
And I frankly don't trust that ALW, the Hollywood Bowl would protect her enough from the inevitable very strong and no doubt sexist and racist backlash this will cause. And while yes Cynthia actively CHOSE to do this and is an adult we've already seen what happened with the wicked poster and the racism about her being cast as Elphaba. You really want to do this to her? Because the blame backlash won't fall on ALW it would fall on her. Would SHE be able to handle it. It just seems foolish.
Especially right now politically in America where you have a president taking over some arts spaces and actively pushing a hyper conservative agenda.