In a dramatic turn of events, Josh Gad announced via Instagram that he had contracted COVID-19, leading to his decision to withdraw from the role of King Herod in the much-anticipated production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl.
Gad mentioned that there was a possibility of a change in his situation if he tested negative for the virus.
However, the following day, actor John Stamos revealed on social media that his weekend had just taken a “biblical” turn as he stepped in for Gad in the show.
The plot thickened on Friday when Gad confirmed that he had tested negative.
Fans eagerly inundated his social media with questions about his return, but Gad remained silent until Saturday, when he shared a striking photo of himself in an elaborate gold lamé costume, captioned with, “See you all Sunday night.”
A representative from the Los Angeles Philharmonic mentioned that definitive confirmation of Gad’s return would not be provided until noon on Sunday.
Stamos took the stage as Herod on the first night of performances, delivering comic relief amid the intense emotion of the show.
During one particularly powerful solo by star Cynthia Erivo, the audience erupted into loud and lengthy applause, moving the singer to tears and prompting even more enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, creating a heartwarming moment lasting at least three minutes.
The Bowl drew a star-studded audience, with names like former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Jim Carrey, and Ted Neely, who famously portrayed Jesus in the 1973 film adaptation of the musical.
Erivo also brought composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on stage as a special guest during the curtain call, further adding to the night’s excitement.
Nevertheless, the absence of Josh Gad was keenly felt, especially among his dedicated fans, who held Olaf dolls and adorned themselves with Olaf jewelry, expressing their disappointment in the bustling crowd post-show.
Fans had hailed Gad’s addition to the cast, which featured Erivo as Jesus, Adam Lambert as Judas, and Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene. In a previous interview with The Times, Gad had shared his elation about performing at the Hollywood Bowl for the first time, surrounded by what he referred to as the “Avengers of musical theater.”
“I’ve wanted to play the Hollywood Bowl forever,” Gad remarked, adding modestly, “But I never thought I was good enough to play the Hollywood Bowl.”
Despite the role of King Herod comprising just a single comedic song, which Gad compared to King George’s part in “Hamilton,” he had been a regular presence at rehearsals until he fell ill.
Gad enjoyed the experience of being part of the scene, filming performances on phones for fellow cast members and cheering from the sidelines, with his excitement evident.
Now, after a whirlwind series of events, he will have one night to fully embrace the role of King Herod and deliver a memorable rendition of “King Herod’s Song.”
image source from：latimes
