Fox to Air Live Modern Take on Christ’s ‘Passion’, Narrated by Tyler Perry

tyler perry

Fox is going live on Palm Sunday with The Passion, a two-hour musical to be narrated by Tyler Perry live from New Orleans.

The special, which will air Sunday, March 20 at 8/7c, will feature stars (to be announced later) performing popular music while telling a modern-day version of the story of Jesus.

The Passion is based on a Dutch event that has been produced annually since 2011. In the Netherlands, the special attracted a 46% market share in 2015.

Executive producer and music producer Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages) is arranging the special.

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The Passion will feature Jesus as he presides over the Last Supper, is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected. The special will take place at iconic New Orleans locations, and feature a procession of hundreds of people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from Champion Square outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Dick Clark Prods. is producing the live event, along with Eye2Eye Media and Anders Media Inc.

The Passion is both wonderfully entertaining and genuinely inspirational,” says Fox Entertainment president David Madden. “[Perry] 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.”

The Passion is the latest special to come out of TV’s live events trend. Fox will air Grease Live! on Jan. 31.