Three-time Grammy Award winner and country superstar Trisha Yearwood has been tapped to play Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the two-hour live musical event THE PASSION. Also, multi-Platinum recording artist Prince Royce will play the disciple Peter. Yearwood and Royce join Tyler Perry, who was previously announced as the event’s host and narrator.
THE PASSION, written by Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”), tells the 2000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth through a variety of popular music, sung by the cast including Yearwood and Royce, 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. As Mary follows her son into Jerusalem, she already has witnessed Jesus struggle with opposition from other religious leaders, but bolsters him with the boundless depth of a mother’s love. Peter, meanwhile, remains one of Jesus’ closest confidantes, but his loyalty will be sternly tested.
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 Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.
THE PASSION airs LIVE from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
