Josh Gad Drops Out of Cynthia Erivo-Led Jesus Christ Superstar Due to COVID

Josh Gad will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar alongside Cynthia Erivo in Los Angeles this weekend after contracting COVID.

On Wednesday, July 30, the Tony-nominated actor, 44, confirmed through an Instagram statement that he will miss the musical’s opening weekend at the Hollywood Bowl, which is slated for Friday, Aug. 1.

“It is with enormous heartbreak that I inform you all that unfortunately, I have contracted a virus known as COVID (remember that one little bastard from season one of ‘earth really sucks right now?’?” he wrote in all caps. 

Gad said “out of an abundance of caution” as well as “respect for my cast,” he would not be in Jesus Christ Superstar unless he tested negative in the next 48 hours. 

“It truly breaks my heart, but I can assure you all that this is going to be one of the greatest things you will ever see,” he continued. 

“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,” the Frozen star concluded with a nod to his would-have-been role of King Herod.

Reps for Gad did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Erivo, 38, will star as Jesus opposite Adam Lambert as Judas in the musical, according to the Hollywood Bowl and Playbill. A replacement for Gad was not named.

Ahead of his statement Wednesday, Gad had been sharing behind-the-scenes content of Jesus Christ Superstar during rehearsals following the July 14 news that he was added to the cast. 

“ ‘Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face…’” he captioned a selfie with Lambert, 43, that same day. “The @hollywoodbowl will never be the same when @adamlambert , @phillipasoo , @cynthiaerivo , @milomanheim me, and this extraordinary cast are done with it.”

The day before announcing his withdrawal from the production, Gad posted a photo with Milo Manheim, who plays Peter, and Broadway musician Stephen Oremus.

“Just a night at the Bowl with two of my faves,” Gad captioned the photos.

And although the Beauty and the Beast actor will no longer be starring alongside Erivo in Jesus Christ Superstar, he still has a special connection with her. 

Gad and Erivo’s Wicked costar, Ariana Grande, recently teamed up with each other to star in Jon M. Chu’s forthcoming adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss children’s picture book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!.

Chu, 45, also directed the 2024 film that will see part two arrive in November. 

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“Never been more excited to go places,” Gad wrote in the caption to his post, which contained a picture of him and Grande in the studio together, holding up copies of the book. “We are dreaming up something very very special for you. Warner Brothers Animation has put together a truly all-star team. I’ve been dying to work with Ariana, Jon, Jill, JJ, Gregg Taylor, Bill Damaschke, and Pasek and Paul for ages.”

“The wait was worth it. Still some time to go, but trust me… we’re off and away,” he added in the caption, noting that the movie will not be released until March 2028.