"Herod's Song" will need to be sung by someone else. Josh Gad has withdrawn from the upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar concert at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl. The reason: COVID-19. Gad was scheduled to play the role of Herod, opposite Tony winner Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) as Jesus and Adam Lambert (Cabaret) as Judas.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Gad explained: "Out of an abundance of caution and respect for my cast, I will not be performing in Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend (unless I test negative). It truly breaks my heart, but I can assure you all that the show is going to be one of the greatest things you will ever see. I hope at some point you get to see me wear the crown and show you what we've been up to, because it was quite something. But for now, sadly, I will not be able to grace the Hollywood Bowl."
It has not yet been announced who will play Herod in Gad’s absence.
The concert is still scheduled to go on as planned 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.
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 (2022 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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