Cynthia Erivo Stuns as Jesus, Adam Lambert Electrifies as Judas in a Daring Hollywood Bowl Revival — Critics and Fans Declare It a Once-in-a-Lifetime Theatrical Event That Reimagines a Rock Opera Classic.

From soul-shaking vocals to jaw-dropping staging, this 2025 production will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about Jesus Christ Superstar.

From August 1–3, 2025, the Hollywood Bowl became the epicenter of theatrical buzz as it unveiled a reimagined Jesus Christ Superstar that had audiences and critics reeling. At the heart of this bold revival were two powerhouse performers: Cynthia Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas.

Casting Erivo—a rare triple threat with an Oscar, Grammy, and Tony—was a gamble that turned into pure theatrical gold. Her voice cut through the summer night air with a mix of aching vulnerability and unshakable command, redefining the role in a way no one saw coming. Opposite her, Lambert brought Judas to life with an irresistible combination of vocal firepower and magnetic stage presence, making the character’s betrayal both heartbreaking and strangely relatable.

Musical director Stephen Oremus breathed fresh life into the iconic score, with standout moments like Lambert’s explosive “Heaven on Their Minds,” Erivo’s soul-baring “Gethsemane” (met with a thunderous standing ovation), and a “Superstar” finale that turned the open-air stage into a rock cathedral.

Under Sergio Trujillo’s direction, the show struck a perfect balance between arena-scale spectacle and emotionally charged intimacy. Multimedia projections, modern costuming, and pulsating lighting transformed the 1970s rock-opera roots into something boldly contemporary, without losing the raw spirit of the original.

By the time the final note faded into the night, the verdict was clear: this was more than a revival—it was a reinvention. And it proved, once again, that themes of love, betrayal, and redemption never lose their edge.