Fox’s The Passion has found its Jesus Christ and Judas. The network announced singer/songwriter/actor Jencarlos Canela (Telenovela) will star as Jesus Christ and singer/songwriter/actor Chris Daughtry (American Idol) will play Judas in the musical event set for Palm Sunday. Canela and Daughtry will join previously announced cast members Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus) and Tyler Perry (host and narrator) in the two-hour musical which will air live on March 20th at 8pm ET (taped delayed on the West Coast).
Robert Deaton is the showrunner and executive produces along with Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Jacco Doornbos, Adam Anders, and David Grifhorst. Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical) wrote the script.
The Passion Plot:
The Passion tells the 2000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth through passages from the Bible and a variety of popular music, sung by the cast, and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and hit music producer Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages). Set in modern day, the event will follow the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth, as he presides over the Last Supper, and then is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected.
The event will unfold live at some of New Orleans’ most iconic locations, while featuring a procession of hundreds of people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenberg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.
