A new king has picked up the crown for the upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar concerts at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl. John Stamos will replace Josh Gad as King Herod, following news that Gad had withdrawn from the production due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Stamos announced the news via Instagram, saying: "Well… this weekend just got Biblical. I’m stepping in as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the @HollywoodBowl, starring the brilliant @cynthiaerivo. King @Joshgad unexpectedly got hit with COVID (feel better soon, brother!) and while I didn’t push him down the stairs, I am grateful for the chance to step into the gold lamé. This is an honor. A dream. And also a little insane because… I just stepped off a plane from @thebeachboys tour in Spain and have less than 24 hours to pull this off."
Stamos will star opposite Tony winner Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) as Jesus and Adam Lambert (Cabaret) as Judas. The concert staging will run August 1–3. For those who cannot attend the concert, Lambert will release a single of his rendition of "Heaven on Their Minds" August 1.
Stamos, known for the '90s sitcom Full House, has previously been on Broadway in Cabaret and Bye Bye Birdie.
The cast will also feature Milo Manheim (Zombies, Little Shop of Horrors) as Peter, four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza (Company, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) as Pontius Pilate, Hamilton Tony nominee Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene, Zachary James (The Addams Family) as Caiaphas, Tyrone Huntley (2012 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar) as Simon, and Brian Crum (Next to Normal) as Annas.
The company will also include Ian Ward, Joey Taranto, Clinton Roane, LJ Benet, Cooper Clack, and L.T. Martinez as the Apostles; Isaiah Bailey as the Priest; Brad Sharp as Apostle/Priest; John E. Lucas as Priest; Summer Greer as Soul Singer; Oyoyo Joi as Apostle/Soul Singer; Krystle Rose Simmons as Apostle/Soul Singer; and Emily Goglia as Maid by the Fire; with ensemble members John Krause, Nathan Madden, Chris Hernandez, Morgan Marcell, Jennifer Florentino, Brandon Leffler, Damian Caraballo, and Juliet Johnson plus pit singers Sara Gomez, Ayana Haviv, Gracie Laboy, Mariah Meshae, Natalie Taylor, and Suzanne Waters. Casting is by The Telsey Office.
Tony winner Sergio Trujillo will direct and choreograph the Lloyd Webber and Rice musical, which will feature musical direction by conductor Stephen Oremus. The creative team also includes scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West, costume designer Emilio Sosa, projection designer Peter Nigrini, lighting designers Tyler Lambert-Perkins and Tyler Glover, sound designer Jonathan Burke, and hair and makeup designer Brandi Strona.
The upcoming staging is produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt.
Jesus Christ Superstar, initially released as a concept album in 1970, premiered on Broadway in 1971 and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Original Score for Lloyd Webber and Rice. The show was subsequently revived in 1977, 2000, and 2012. A long-running London production debuted in 1972.
Norman Jewison directed the 1973 film version starring Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman. NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert premiered in April 2018 with John Legend, Sara Bareilles, Brandon Victor Dixon, Norm Lewis, and more.
Among the many musicals presented in recent years at the Hollywood Bowl are Kinky Boots, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, Rent, Guys and Dolls, and Hairspray.
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