Josh Gad has announced that he will not be appearing in the opening weekend of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. The actor was set to portray King Herod alongside Cynthia Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas in the anticipated production scheduled for Friday, August 1.
In an emotional post on Instagram, Gad expressed his disappointment, stating, “It truly breaks my heart.” He emphasized the importance of caution not just for himself, but out of respect for his fellow cast members. Gad mentioned he would only return if he tested negative within 48 hours.
Prior to his COVID diagnosis, Gad had been actively sharing his excitement on social media about the show, including behind-the-scenes glimpses from rehearsals. He described the collaboration with the cast as extraordinary, noting the significant impact they were poised to have at the Hollywood Bowl.
Despite the setback, Gad remains closely connected to the theater community through other projects. He and Erivo’s co-star from “Wicked,” Ariana Grande, have plans to collaborate on a film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” directed by Jon M. Chu. Gad has shared his enthusiasm for this upcoming project, highlighting the experienced team behind it, although the film is set for release in March 2028.
While Gad’s withdrawal from “Jesus Christ Superstar” is unfortunate, it’s clear that his passion for performing and collaborating with talented artists continues. Fans can look forward to seeing him back in action in the future.