Concerns have escalated regarding Cynthia Erivo‘s upcoming portrayal of Jesus in the classic rock opera ?Jesus Christ Superstar? during her limited engagement in Los Angeles. Many critics are questioning this casting choice and urging detractors to reflect on what Jesus might do in response to their grievances.

Here’s the situation: Cynthia is set to take on the role of Jesus in the renowned Andrew Lloyd Webber musical for a three-night performance at the Hollywood Bowl in August. The announcement has sparked outrage online, particularly among those who are upset about a Black queer woman being cast in such a significant role, demonstrating how explosive the conversation around representation in theater can be.

Ted Neeley, who famously portrayed Jesus in both Broadway performances and multiple international tours, as well as in the acclaimed Golden Globe-nominated film, shared his thoughts with TMZ. He expressed that he is not surprised by the backlash against Erivo?s casting choice, acknowledging that the show has historically sparked heated debates since its inception many decades ago.

The original production of ?Jesus Christ Superstar,? which debuted in 1971, faced daily protests outside theaters in New York City. Ted recalls that the passionate crowds often attempted to obstruct the cast and crew from entering the venue, demonstrating the deep-seated emotions and controversies surrounding the musical’s themes and interpretations.

The main point of contention revolves around the notion that the rock musical, which portrays the final days of Jesus, is inherently sacrilegious. Many critics have drawn parallels between the past protests against the show and the current backlash against Erivo?s casting, suggesting that such responses are rooted in similar sentiments of protectiveness over religious narratives.

Reflecting on past experiences, Ted recounted a moment when he confronted a protester about their objections to the show. He extended an invitation for the individual to watch the performance for free and discuss their concerns afterward. After attending, the once-resistant critic transformed into a fan, expressing enjoyment of the production and a newfound appreciation for its artistic merit.

The original Jesus, Ted Neeley, admits he hasn’t seen the musical ?Wicked,? yet he acknowledges Cynthia’s immense talent and has full confidence in her ability to deliver a captivating performance as Jesus in ‘Famous Person.’

Ted expresses a hope that at least some of the critics will take the opportunity to watch Cynthia?s interpretation of the role, just as his own production was given a fair chance, and then decide whether they find it truly offensive or not.