Cynthia Ervivo is committed to her craft and will be starring as Jesus in the latest adaptation of Jesus Christ, Superstar. While most folks know her from her defying gravity in Wicked, Ervivo has been doing the dang thing for decades, letting the world she’s “here” in The Color Purple nearly 15 years ago. Ervivo is Black, bisexual, and beautiful, and I cannot wait to see this interpretation of the Biblical tale of Jesus’ eventual, inevitable death. I’m not even a musical fan and will be singing, “Hosanna!”
If you are offended that a Black, female, queer individual is portraying Jesus, I encourage you to check the source material: Jesus was the original rebel with a cause. He was a brown dude who hung out with prostitutes, rich and poor, and folks of every faith. And also was the original table-flipper. He was called to serve.
Staying committed to one’s craft tosses preconceived notions out the window. It means overturning expectations (and sometimes, flipping tables). By singing, dancing, and expressing anyway, we do what we’re called to do. So, make anyway. What a wicked inspiration. #BLM #BlackHistoryMonth