John Stamos Reflects On Unforgettable Night Performing Jesus Christ Superstar At Hollywood Bowl

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From Hollywood Bowl to social media, John Stamos let the excitement fly about performing in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ Having stepped in for a King Herod performance of another kind—that being special—exhilarating for him and the audience alike, the actor is otherwise known for his work in ‘Full House’ and ‘ER.’ Stamos went on to express his enthusiasm at sharing the stage with the towering voices of Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert in what he called a ‘masterclass.’ The post featured a colorful photo of the cast clad in fierce theatrical costumes, practically dripping with camaraderie and energy from that galvanizing night. However, not everyone was in the mood to toast, as some comments soon took a dip toward controversy.

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This picture captures the afterglow of a truly unforgettable occasion. Clad in sparkling gold worthy of flamboyant King Herod stature, Stamos stands with Erivo, resplendently clad in white, and in silver with Lambert. The Hollywood Bowl logo somewhere in the distance serves as a gentle reminder of the venue’s reputation. Their smiling, somewhat theatrical poses strike a perfect chord in the air with the rock opera’s lively vibe.

In an unreservedly earnest caption, he called the night ‘unforgettable,’ elevating his fellow performers to ‘voices shook the heavens,’ clearly still on the adrenaline high from that magnificent performance. The star thanked his fellow cast and crew and fellow audience for taking the night to even greater heights. Then it got a little silly, with Stamos joking that he had better take off his Howard Stern wig, a nod to the gargantuan persona of King Herod.

Though the vast majority hailed him with applause and congratulations on stepping in late (he was said to have confirmed exactly as the original dropped out, testing positive for COVID), the evil voices were now clanging. ‘This is not cute! You all sit here and mock God, but one day you will be before him!’ yelled one user furiously, accusing the production of mocking Christianity. Other users joined in, calling the performance ‘disgusting’ and demanding repentance.

Of course, this fervent thundering of criticism also elicited pointed responses. ‘Dude, chill. It’s really not that serious,’ said one, while another retorted, ‘Honey…… are you dense?’ Such occasions highlight the polarized nature of Jesus Christ Superstar, a rock opera that has courted controversy ever since its inception in 1970, with its modern and sometimes irreverent takes on biblical matters.

Amid an eruption of heated debates, lighter moments shone through. One user marveled at Cynthia Erivo’s petite stature: ‘I somehow always forget how small Cynthia Erivo is. She is such a massive talent and huge personality that it’s so easy to forget she’s barely five foot tall.’ Another fan, clearly starstruck, gushed, ‘You were amazing. Show was phenomenal and an unforgettable experience!!!’

Close to applause for Stamos went: ‘Can’t believe you flew in from London and learned it within 24 hours!’ Fellow actress Holly Robinson Peete added fuel to the fire, albeit humorously, with: ‘Hey, I played KH in the fourth grade! 😂 Congratulations!!!’

The mainstream sentiment was one of adoration for Stamos and the cast for their sheer dedication against the melee of opposing reactions. What some say is artistic boldness; others say is an outright curse upon the world. The performance left a mark, not only on Stamos but on everyone else involved—they will never forget that night, glitter and wigs included.

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Indeed the Hollywood Bowl has been a cradle for path-breaking performances, and this rendition of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ was all but an exception. Armed with thunderous vocals, lush theatrics, and the occasional bout of controversy, the show reminded us all that rock opera is very much alive and kicking to thrill the audience, although it throws a tantrum at a few.