Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo has revealed she fell out with her church choir while growing up in south London years before she was cast in Jesus Christ Superstar.
The actress, 38, will take to the stage as Jesus Christ Superstar in the forthcoming stage production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s award-winning musical of the same name at the Hollywood Bowl from 1-3 August.
While excited for her turn as the Son of God, Erivo admitted that she found herself in hot water with her local church choir conductor after “sneaking in gospel songs” into their repetoire.
Raised a Roman Catholic by her Nigerian mother, Erivo explained that she was a bit of a “rebel” after moving from east London to south of the river.
Speaking on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, she shared: “I remember they asked if I could join the choir, and so I did.
“And then, somehow, I managed to end up being one of the conductors of the choir. And I would just sneak gospel songs in from time to time.
Before adding: “Consequently, I got into trouble for it. And they were like, you can't sing those songs in here anymore.”
Erivo upcoming stage role was announced last week by the Hollywood Bowl.
Confirming her casting on social media, the venue wrote: “Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl!
“Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner, and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo is cast as Jesus.
“The iconic musical returns this summer, featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.”
The rock opera was initially released as a concept album before it made its Broadway debut in 1971.
The musical revolves around the last week of Jesus’ life. A film adaptation directed by Norman Jewison opened in 1973. NBC aired “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” on Easter Sunday in 2018 with John Legend as Jesus Christ and Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene.
Erivo’s currently nominated for the Oscar for best actress thanks to her role as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s big screen adaptation of Wicked.
She will reprise her role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, in theatres this November.
