Fox will broadcast The Passion, a live musical production of the Passion Play set in modern times. Filmmaker Tyler Perry will host and narrate the event, which will air live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20.
The Passion will use New Orleans setting to tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth and Easter. The two-hour production will come to a climax with a procession of hundreds carrying a 20-foot cross from Champion Square to Woldenberg Park.
Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages) will arrange the music. The cast will be announced soon.
Eye2Eye Media, Anders Media Inc. and dick clark productions are producing the special.
“The Passion is both wonderfully entertaining and genuinely inspirational,” David Madden, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, said in a statement. “We are so thrilled to have the multi-talented Tyler Perry join us for this epic music production. He is the perfect host to lead the cast – and viewers – through the streets of New Orleans in this contemporary re-telling of a timeless story.”
Eye2Eye Media’s Jacco Doornbos created The Passion in the Netherlands, where it has aired every year since 2011.
This is the second live musical Fox has set for next year. Grease Live! airs on Jan. 31.