A new production of the classic musical Jesus Christ Superstar in L..A.'s Hollywood Bowl ran for three nights at the beginning of August, and despite getting rave reviews, has sparked controversy, with the casting of the incredible Cynthia Erivo as Jesus. Some viewers find it disrespectful to Christianity. The objections include the casting of a woman in the role of Jesus, and the casting of a Black woman, especially given that some believe Jesus was white. Many also were upset that Erivo, who identifies as queer was cast as Jesus, calling the casting "blasphemous". Some also see the casting as a continuation of the show's long-standing controversial nature. What is your feeling about casting Erivo as Jesus?

Erivo played opposite Adam Lambert as Judas, another talented and queer actor/singer, and the casting seemed especially pertinent, amid the ongoing attacks on queer rights and presidential mandates against the Kennedy Center's "woke" programming. Some lyrics hit differently, like when the Roman leaders repeatedly called Jesus "dangerous" and Judas urged Jesus to be more cautious: "They only need a small excuse to put us all away." Do you think this casting was perhaps a (not so) subtle nod to the ongoing attack on queer rights in the U.S. right now?