OG ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Actor Says Cynthia Erivo Haters Sadly Typical

There was an onslaught of shock because it was introduced Cynthia Erivo would star in a brief run of “Jesus Christ Celebrity” in L.A. … however one former messiah actor says haters want to relax and perhaps ask — WWJD?

Here is the deal … Cynthia will play Jesus within the basic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical in a three-night stint on the Hollywood Bowl in August … and a few individuals have gone berserk on-line over a Black queer lady being solid within the title function.

Ted Neeley, who performed Jesus on Broadway and a number of other world excursions, in addition to within the Golden Globe-nominated movie, tells TMZ … he is sadly not shocked the CE casting selection is getting backlash — in spite of everything, he says the present has been polarizing because it opened many years in the past!

The primary run of “Jesus Christ Celebrity” in 1971 was protested on daily basis exterior the NYC theater … and Ted tells us the offended crowd typically tried to dam solid and crew from even entering into the venue.

The explanation? Most appeared to scream about how the rock musical depicting Jesus’ remaining days was sacrilegious … very similar to how haters are labeling the model starring “Depraved” sensation Erivo.

Ted tells us at some point all these years in the past, he was compelled to ask one of many protesters why they have been so bothered — and invited the person to truly see the present without cost and then discuss points. Assembly up within the foyer after the curtain name, the one-timer hater was become a fan who mentioned he very a lot loved what he noticed.

The OG Jesus has not seen “Depraved” … however he tells TMZ he is aware of Cynthia is an enormous deal, and has confidence she goes to be spectacular within the ‘Celebrity’ function.

And Ted hopes at the least one of many present critics will truly give Cynthia’s model that probability his manufacturing was given … after which determine if it’s actually offensive.