Adam Lambert joins Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas at Hollywood Bowl
Adam Lambert is set to star as Judas in a three-night production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, the Los Angeles Philharmonic announced. He joins previously announced cast member Cynthia Erivo, who will play Jesus in a gender-blind casting. The role of Mary Magdalene has yet to be revealed.
This limited-run staging continues the Bowl's tradition of mounting fully produced musicals with high-profile leads. The production will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo, with music direction and conducting by Tony and Grammy winner Stephen Oremus. The show is being produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt.
Lambert's return to Los Angeles comes shortly after a critically acclaimed six-month stint as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway. His casting as Judas—often viewed as the emotional and vocal centerpiece of Superstar—is expected to generate significant interest.
The 2025 staging also promises to 'return to its rock roots,' referencing the musical's original incarnation as a 1970 concept album before its 1971 Broadway debut and 1973 film adaptation. Unlike concert-style revivals, this will be a fully staged production.
Single tickets for the LA Phil's 2025 season, including Jesus Christ Superstar, go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. PT. Given the star power of Lambert and Erivo, this brief run is expected to be one of the fastest sellouts of the season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Chess Broadway revival starring Lea Michele Aaron Tveit Nicholas Christopher set for fall 2025
The first Broadway revival of Chess will arrive this fall with Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher in the starring roles. The production will open in fall 2025 at a Shubert theater to be announced. Tony winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) will direct, with Tveit playing Freddie Trumper, Michele as Florence Vassey, and Christopher portraying Anatoly Sergievsky according to Deadline. Produced by Tom Hulce, Robert Ahrens, and The Shubert Organization alongside Creative Partners Productions, Chess will feature a new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (Dopesick). Music and lyrics are by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, based on an idea by Rice. Chess tells the story of a Cold War-era grandmaster chess tournament between American Freddie Trumper and Soviet Anatoly Sergievsky. Florence, Trumper's manager and possible lover, becomes entangled with his opponent. The official synopsis states: 'It's America versus Russia at the World Chess Championship, where espionage and romance are as complicated and exhilarating as the game itself. For the two players and the woman torn between them, everything—personal, professional, and political—is at risk…and nobody's rules are the same.' The musical originally premiered in London's West End in 1986, directed by Trevor Nunn after original director Michael Bennett withdrew due to health issues. Despite mixed reviews and revisions before its 1988 Broadway premiere, Chess closed shortly after opening. However, it has since gained a devoted following and produced the global hit 'One Night In Bangkok.' This revival marks Lea Michele's first Broadway appearance since her acclaimed role in the 2022 Funny Girl revival. Michele is best known for her TV role as Rachel Berry in Glee. Aaron Tveit won a Tony for Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and Nicholas Christopher has appeared in Hamilton and the 2023 Sweeney Todd revival. Choreography will be by Lorin Latarro (Waitress), with music supervision by Brian Usifer. Chess will be presented by arrangement with Three Knights, the Shubert Organization, and Robert Fox Ltd. Production dates, additional casting, and creative team details will be announced soon.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Patti LuPone on Audra McDonald: Broadway icon calls former colleague 'not a friend' amidst reports of rift
Patti LuPone, the iconic Broadway performer, has candidly opened up about her long-standing rift with fellow star Audra McDonald. The 76-year-old actress, known for her commanding stage presence, did not mince words when discussing their fractured relationship. LuPone, who has won three Tony Awards and starred in some of Broadway's most beloved productions, stated plainly, 'She's not a friend.' The comment, from her revealing interview with The New Yorker, came in response to questions surrounding McDonald's current role as Rose in Gypsy, a character LuPone famously portrayed in 2008, which earned her a Tony Award. When pressed about the cause of their estrangement, LuPone mentioned a past incident without providing specifics. However, her frustration was palpable. gonna start saying 'what a beautiful day' when people ask me how a show was — Tom Smyth (@Tom_Smyth_) May 26, 2025 While the pair have shared the stage on several occasions—most notably in the 2000 New York Philharmonic concert version of Sweeney Todd—their personal bond appears to have disintegrated over time. LuPone, who has long been an outspoken figure in the theatre world, has no interest in rekindling the friendship, and her comments suggest a permanent break. The two Broadway legends have had vastly different careers in the theatre world, with McDonald, 54, receiving 11 Tony nominations (the most of any performer in history) and winning six. LuPone, in contrast, has been recognized for her powerful performances in productions such as Evita and Gypsy, earning her three Tony Awards. However, despite their mutual acclaim, their personal relationship has evidently soured. Adding to the complexity of their public falling-out, LuPone did not shy away from discussing a separate social media dispute with Kecia Lewis, a fellow performer. The conflict arose after Lewis criticized LuPone's comments on the musical Hell's Kitchen, calling her remarks 'microaggressive' and 'rooted in privilege.' LuPone's response was blunt and confrontational, further highlighting her tendency to speak her mind without reservation. Though it's clear that LuPone and McDonald are no longer friends, the former's candor about their fractured relationship is a reminder of the complex dynamics within the Broadway community. As LuPone continues to make her mark in television and film, her past disputes remain part of her larger narrative, one that shows no signs of fading into the background. With her new role in And Just Like That… and an illustrious career spanning decades, LuPone remains one of Broadway's most compelling and divisive figures. Whether her feuds with former colleagues are part of the larger fabric of her career or simply a reflection of her unapologetic nature remains to be seen.
1732308855-0%2F17-Lede-(Image)1732308855-0.jpeg&w=3840&q=100)
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Lady Gaga now one award away from EGOT after Sports Emmy win
Lady Gaga has added a Sports Emmy to her growing list of accolades, moving one step closer to achieving the prestigious EGOT status—an honor reserved for those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. On May 20, 2025, the 38-year-old singer and actress won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for her performance of 'Hold My Hand' during the Super Bowl 2025 broadcast. The track, originally featured in Top Gun: Maverick, was performed by Gaga in a live segment filmed on Bourbon Street in New Orleans as a tribute to the victims of the New Year's attack. The emotionally charged performance aired just before the Super Bowl kickoff earlier this year. Gaga's Emmy now joins her 14 Grammy Awards and her 2018 Academy Award for Best Original Song, which she received for 'Shallow' from A Star Is Born. She now only needs a Tony Award to officially become an EGOT winner. At the 2025 Sports Emmys, Gaga was nominated alongside other productions such as Evolution of the Black Quarterback, The Lionheart, Noche UFC: For Mexico, For All Time, and The Turnaround. Her win was announced by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in a ceremony recognizing excellence in sports broadcasting. Lady Gaga has yet to comment publicly on the win, but fans and industry observers are already speculating about her potential path to a Tony Award. With her theatrical background and Broadway ambitions, an EGOT win may not be far off.
