Stephen Colbert Supports Female Portrayal of Jesus
Stephen Colbert, a late-night host and Roman Catholic, recently voiced his support for the representation of women in the portrayal of Jesus. He referred to it as a “long postponement.” In an interview last week, along with British actress Cynthia Erivo, who identifies as bisexual and Black, Colbert talked about performing the role of Jesus in the upcoming “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl from August 1-3 in Los Angeles.
“One of my favorite musicals is ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,'” Colbert shared. “I really love it, and I’m thrilled to be playing Jesus in August at the Hollywood Bowl.”
He noted that this would be the first time a woman portrays Jesus in a major production, something he has anticipated for many years. “It’s been postponed for a long time, and I’ve been wanting to see a woman in that role for ages,” he added.
When Colbert asked Erivo what this milestone represented for her, she said it was an opportunity to express something quite special. “I think it’s significant that I get to play this role and perform it for a large audience. This period in my life feels really special to me, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a stage like this. So, it’s an honor to take on this role,” she, who uses their pronouns, responded.
Colbert emphasized Erivo’s enormous talent in tackling the challenging task of playing Jesus in the rock opera. Just a day before this conversation, he had spoken out against the Trump administration for not recognizing Pride Month during his opening monologue.
Erivo gained fame for her portrayal of Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of “Superstar” back in 2020. This year, she was also honored at an awards ceremony in New York City.
The original “Jesus Christ Superstar” was released as a concept album by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1970 and made its Broadway debut in 1971. At the time, it stirred up controversy for depicting Judas Iscariot, the disciple known for betraying Jesus, as a sympathetic figure.
Adam Lambert, an openly gay singer who rose to fame on “American Idol,” played Judas at the Hollywood Bowl. It’s fascinating how the representation in such iconic productions continues to evolve.
