
Look: John Stamos replaces Josh Gad as Herod in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Full House icon -- and occasional Beach Boys bandmate -- John Stamos is to replace Josh Gad in this weekend's production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.
Gad dropped out of the high-profile show earlier this week because he is battling COVID.
"Well... this weekend just got Biblical. I'm stepping in as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the @HollywoodBowl, starring the brilliant @cynthiaerivo. King @Joshgad unexpectedly got hit with COVID (feel better soon, brother! )and while I didn't push him down the stairs, I am grateful for the chance to step into the gold lamé," Stamos wrote on Instagram Thursday,
"This is an honor. A dream. And also a little insane because... I just stepped off a plane from @thebeachboys tour in Spain and have less than 24 hours to pull this off. Wish me luck. And let's rock the Bowl!"
The production will feature Cynthia Erivo as the title character, Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene and Adam Lambert as Judas.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Adam Lambert Says ‘Jesus Christ Superstar' Is Supposed to ‘Provoke and Challenge,' Defends Cynthia Erivo's Casting: ‘Encourage the Audience to Expand Their Minds'
Adam Lambert is standing up for his 'Jesus Christ Superstar' co-lead Cynthia Erivo. In an interview with Billboard, Lambert, who plays Judas opposite Erivo's Jesus in the production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at The Hollywood Bowl, said he is 'excited' to present a depiction of Christ played by a 'female, Black' actress. Erivo's casting has received some pushback from circles who think the holy titular role shouldn't be played by a queer woman of color. More from Variety Adam Lambert and Andrew Lloyd Webber to Release New Studio Recording of 'Heaven on Their Minds' From 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (EXCLUSIVE) How Adam Lambert Is Preparing to Be Cynthia Erivo's Judas in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' - and Why He's Returning to His Musical Theater Roots Mattel Launches 'Wicked: For Good' Toy Line, Including New Figures Modeled After Ariana Grande's Glinda and Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba (EXCLUSIVE) 'Cynthia's brilliant,' Lambert said. 'Her voice, presence, and simultaneous power and vulnerability absolutely blows my mind and working with her has been a dream. I'm excited by the challenge of presenting the audience with a production led by a female, Black 'Jesus' and encourage the audience to expand their minds a bit. Originally utilizing rock and roll, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is supposed to provoke and challenge, that's the point. And shouldn't the teachings of Jesus transcend gender?' During her own Billboard interview in June, Erivo laughed off the negativity surrounding her casting. 'Why not?' Erivo said. 'You can't please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, 'Oh, it's a musical, the gayest place on Earth.'' Other cast members include Milo Manheim, Raúl Esparza and Phillipa Soo. Josh Gad was slated to join the cast, but dropped out at the last minute due to a complication with COVID. John Stamos filled his spot. The three-night event, taking place Aug. 1 through Aug. 3, is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo. The show will be conducted and music-directed by Tony and Grammy winner Stephen Oremus. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
After a bout with COVID, Josh Gad says he'll perform Sunday in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
It felt like 2022 all over again when Josh Gad took to Instagram to express his heartbreak about contracting a "virus known as COVID" and announce his decision to pull out of playing King Herod in the highly anticipated production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl, which staged its first night of a three-night run Friday. Gad hinted that maybe — if he tested negative — the situation might change. The following day, however, John Stamos announced on social media that his weekend "just got biblical" and that he was stepping in for Gad in the show. On Friday, things got extra dramatic when Gad said that he had tested negative. Fans on his social media clamored to know what that might mean, but he stayed mum until Saturday when he posted a photo of himself in an elaborate gold lamé costume with the words, "See you all Sunday night." A rep for the Los Angeles Philharmonic said that final confirmation that Gad will step onto stage won't come until noon Sunday. Stamos appeared onstage as Herod on Friday night, bringing some comic relief to an electric, deeply emotional show. After one of star Cynthia Erivo's solos, the audience clapped so loud, long and reverently, that tears came to the singer's eyes — which only caused the crowd to cheer harder. The moment of symbiotic love lasted for at least 3 minutes, maybe more. The Bowl was packed with marquee names, including former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Jim Carrey and Ted Neely (who played Jesus in the 1973 film adaptation of the musical). Erivo brought composer Andrew Lloyd Webber onto the stage as a special guest during curtain call. Still, Gad fans were many — you could tell because they held Olaf dolls and wore Olaf jewelry — and they could be heard expressing their sorrow at the absence of Gad in the crush of the crowd after the show. Gad's addition to the cast, which included Erivo as Jesus, Adam Lambert as Judas and Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene, was hailed by fans; and in an interview with The Times during rehearsal, Gad spoke about being beyond excited to perform at the Bowl for the very first time with a stellar cast that he called the Avengers of musical theater. "I've wanted to play the Hollywood Bowl forever," said Gad. "But I never thought I was good enough to play the Hollywood Bowl," he added with a self-deprecating smile Even though the role of King Herod entails a single song — a kind of comic interlude that Gad likened to the part of King George in "Hamilton" — Gad showed up at as many rehearsals as possible before he came down with COVID. He just liked sitting on the sidelines, soaking up the scene and the incredible talent on display, he said. At a Saturday rehearsal before the show, he filmed numbers on phones for various cast members and cheered his heart out. His sense of excitement was palpable. Now he'll get one night to give "King Herod's Song" his all. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword


Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
After a bout with COVID, Josh Gad, says he'll perform Sunday in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar'
It felt like 2022 all over again, when Josh Gad took to Instagram to express his heartbreak about contracting a 'virus known as COVID,' and his decision to pull out of playing King Herod in the highly anticipated production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at the Hollywood Bowl, which staged its first night of a three-night run, Friday. Gad hinted that maybe — if he tested negative — the situation might change. The following day, however, John Stamos announced on social media that his weekend 'just got biblical' and that he was stepping in for Gad in the show. On Friday, things got extra dramatic when Gad announced that he had tested negative. Fans on his social media clamored to know what that might mean, but he stayed mum until Saturday when he posted a photo of himself in an elaborate gold lame costume with the words, 'See you all Sunday night.' A rep for the Los Angeles Philharmonic said that final confirmation that Gad will step onto stage won't come until noon, Sunday. Stamos appeared onstage as Herod on Friday night, bringing some comic relief to an electric, deeply emotional show. After one of star Cynthia Erivo's solos, the audience clapped so loud, long and reverently, that tears came to the singer's eyes — which only caused the crowd to cheer harder. The moment of symbiotic love lasted for at least 3 minutes, maybe more. The Bowl was packed with marquee names, including former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Jim Carrey and Ted Neely (who played Jesus in the 1973 film adaptation of the musical). Erivo brought composer Andrew Lloyd Webber onto the stage as a special guest during curtain call. Still, Gad fans were many — you could tell because they held Olaf dolls and wore Olaf jewelry — and they could be heard expressing their sorrow at the absence of Gad in the crush of the crowd after the show. Gad's addition to the cast, which included Cynthia Erivo as Jesus, Adam Lambert as Judas and Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene, was hailed by fans; and in an interview with The Times during rehearsal, Gad spoke about being beyond excited to perform at the Bowl for the very first time with a stellar cast that he called The Avengers of musical theater. 'I've wanted to play the Hollywood Bowl forever,' said Gad. 'But I never thought I was good enough to play the Hollywood Bowl,' he added with a self-deprecating smile Even though the role of King Herod entails a single song — a kind of comic interlude that Gad likened to the part of King George in 'Hamilton' — Gad showed up at as many rehearsals as possible before he came down with COVID. He just liked sitting on the sidelines soaking up the scene and the incredible talent on display, he said. At a Saturday rehearsal before the show, he filmed numbers on phones for various cast members and cheered his heart out. His sense of excitement was infectious. Now he'll get one night to give 'King Herod's Song' his all.