Someone upstairs must have been keeping an eye out for Josh Gad, who appeared to make a miraculous recovery in time for Saturday’s Jesus Christ Superstar performance at Hollywood Bowl.
After missing Friday’s opening night due to a Covid diagnosis, during which John Stamos filled in as King Herod, the Tony nominee made a surprise return to the cast on Saturday to finish out the musical’s limited three-show run.
“What a joy getting to surprise everyone and stand side by side with my incredible and otherworldly cast tonight at the @hollywoodbowl,” wrote Gad on Instagram. “Honored to bear witness to this masterclass in musical theater led by the finest talents this side of the planet.”
Gad previously shared a photo of himself in costume, teasing in the caption: “See you all Sunday night.”
Stamos was announced as Gad’s replacement just hours before opening night, after Gad announced his diagnosis with a statement Wednesday on Instagram while praising the show as “one of the greatest things you will ever see.”
“It is with enormous heartbreak that I inform you all that unfortunately, I have contracted a virus known as COVID (remember that little bastard from season one of ‘Earth really sucks right now’?)” he wrote in the statement shared on Instagram.
“Anyway, out of an abundance of caution and respect for my cast, I will not be performing in Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend (unless I test negative),” added Gad. “It truly breaks my heart, but I can assure you all that the show is going to be one of the greatest things you will ever see. I hope at some point you get to see me wear the crown and show you what we’ve been up to, because it was quite something, but for now, sadly, I will not be able to grace the Hollywood Bowl.”
Gad was cast as King Herod last month in the Sergio Trujillo-directed production, alongside Phillipa Soo as Mary Magdalene.
Cynthia Erivo was cast in the eponymous biblical role back in February, when the staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical was announced, running Aug. 1-3. Adam Lambert was later cast as Judas, with Milo Manheim and Raúl Esparza also joining the cast as Peter and Pontius Pilate.
Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Trujillo, the Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar is conducted and music-directed by Stephen Oremus (who worked on both the Broadway and film versions of Wicked). The show is being produced in association with Neil Meron and Robert Greenblatt.
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