Cynthia Erivo, the acclaimed actor and star of Wicked, is set to play the role of Jesus Christ in the upcoming performances of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles from August 1 to 3. This casting choice has generated significant debate on social media, with some accusing it of blasphemy based on Erivo’s gender, race, sexuality, and hairstyle.

Responding to the controversy, a UK-based Christian publication featured discussions on whether casting a female Jesus is "inclusive" or "offensive." Erivo dismissed the criticism with laughter, highlighting the long-standing involvement of women in reimagining the Jesus story.

Sarah Parkhouse, a British Academy research fellow at the University of Manchester specializing in biblical narratives, explained that women have been retelling the story of Jesus since ancient times. She noted that the earliest gospels were anonymously written and only later attributed to male authors. Notably, the Gospel of Mary, written shortly after Jesus’ death, offers a female perspective, positioning Mary Magdalene as a key disciple and recipient of secret teachings.

Parkhouse emphasized that early Christian texts and retellings by women such as the poet Faltonia Betitia Proba and Byzantine empress Aelia Eudocia provide alternative narratives that center on female experiences and grief, particularly Mary’s sorrow at the crucifixion. These works are integral to the same literary tradition as the canonical gospels.

Contemporary theatre also reflects this trend. In Edinburgh, director Suzanne Lofthus has been producing annual Passion Plays for 20 years, recently focusing on women’s experiences and a redefined masculinity of Jesus. Filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke’s 2006 film The Nativity Story similarly emphasizes Mary’s journey and the women around her, presenting a stark contrast to intensely masculine portrayals like Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.

The role of Jesus has frequently been portrayed by women in various adaptations, challenging traditional norms. Erivo previously performed as Mary Magdalene in a 2017 concert that spawned two all-female concept albums titled She Is Risen. Other notable examples include an all-female Jesus Christ Superstar cast in Santa Barbara, a gender-blind casting in a 2017 production of Godspell at Villanova Theatre, and a 15-year-old girl playing Jesus in a 2023 New Jersey Passion Play.

Such instances illustrate that Erivo’s casting is part of an ongoing history of female performers reshaping the portrayal of Jesus across different media. The Hollywood Bowl’s production perpetuates this lineage, confronting cultural assumptions and expanding the narrative possibilities in religious storytelling.

Parkhouse concluded that the backlash against Erivo reveals more about contemporary cultural biases than established historical or theological precedent. The performance celebrates and continues a vital tradition of women engaging with and interpreting the story of Jesus in meaningful and transformative ways.