Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert Are the Most Divine Frenemies Ever in a Smashing ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at the Hollywood Bowl: Concert Review
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If you were only to have heard first that Adam Lambert was cast as the nominal protagonist/antagonist, you’d think: Well, there they go again, but what a romp it will be, at least, as Judas Iscariot Superstar overpowers whatever poor lamb they get to be his foil. But in Cynthia Erivo, the great betrayer finally met his brilliantly cast match, and Lloyd Webber and Rice’s buddy tragedy landed itself the divine frenemies of your dreams.
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Lambert’s Judas is unmistakably a rock god, all the cooler for being, as he predicts, damned for all time. Probably no one has wailed this role with quite the gusto that Lambert wails it, though many have tried. In tone he’s closer to Ian Gillan’s Jesus on the original ’70 album than Murray Head’s lower, grittier O.G. Judas. The actor-singer really does sound like he should be fronting Deep Purple + Adam Lambert, if not that other band he occasionally takes part in. There is nothing subtle about his glowering and gustiness in the role — and also nothing that is anything less than thrilling for even a moment of the performance. That goes for the bravura opening number, "Heaven on Their Minds" (which Lambert and Lloyd Webber just released as a studio single), a bold we join this show already in progress kickoff that feels like the start of an Act 2 more than an Act 1 intro, which allows a Lambert to raise the curtain like he’s starting a Ferrari in fifth gear. It carries on through his resurrection song, "Superstar", which he plays like he’s an angry Kurt Cobain trapped in a Las Vegas afterworld. Lambert gets the last word in the show… well, the last sung word, as Jesus’ crucifixion scene is pretty much the one time the rock opera gives way to a little speaking, following by the spooky instrumental denouement. The actor knows it’s "Superstar" you’ll go home humming in your head, and makes sure he’s planted that earworm so thoroughly it won’t pop out for a year.
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Erivo and Lambert are incapable of ever giving less than 100% when translating emotion into song. But the human drama was most evident in the handling of duets, the musical give and take that showcases the richness of all that lies between lyrics.
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The conflict between Erivo’s all-seeing, all-feeling Jesus and Lambert’s competitive yet remorseful Judas was thrillingly brought to life in their different yet wholly compatible musical styles. In "Strange Thing Mystifying" and "The Last Supper," Lambert, a Freddie Mercury style-rocker, and Erivo, a musical theater phenomenon who can pierce the heavens with her mighty voice, revealed a Judas who can’t account for all his actions and a Jesus who understands the larger destiny that is both sorrowfully and triumphantly unfolding.
We Live Entertainment - August 4, 2025
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Adam Lambert brought his signature glam-rock power to Judas, opening the show with an explosive "Heaven on Their Minds" that set the tone for the night. Lambert, ever the showman, was magnetic, though his opening costume with hulking boots and sharp-shouldered armor felt more Frankenstein than biblical betrayer. Thankfully, he changed into something sleeker later in the show, and vocally, he was unmatched; a true rock-pop firecracker whose chemistry with Erivo kept the stakes sky-high.
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This production didn’t just revive Jesus Christ Superstar, it reimagined it for a new era. Visually striking, musically thrilling, and anchored by Erivo and Lambert’s powerhouse performances, it will go down as one of the Bowl’s all-time greats. Honestly, don’t be surprised if it heads to Broadway or hits the stadium tour circuit. It’s that good.
What’s the buzz? This show is. And it felt like history was being made.