Here’s today’s dispatch from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhTLwlOMBEo

The Passion, a two-hour epic musical event, will air LIVE from New Orleans this Palm Sunday (3/20) at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.This version of The Passion is written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical) of course tells the 2,000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth through passages from the Bible mixed with  a collection popular music arranged specifically for the production.The event, executive producer and hit music producer Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages), follows the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth, as he presides over the Last Supper, is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate before being convicted, crucified and resurrected.

The production will be performed 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. Tyler Perry will host and narrate. The star-studded musical  cast includes Trisha Yearwood (Mary, mother of Jesus), Chris Daughtry (Judas), Seal (Pontius Pilate), Prince Royce (Peter), Michael W. Smith and Yolanda Adams. Cuban-American actor/singer Jencarlos Canela plays Jesus Christ,

The Passion is produced by Dick Clark Productions.

John W. Kennedy is a writer/development consultant specializing in teleplays, screenplays and novelizations. He can be reached at john@jwkmedia.com.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

More from Beliefnet and our partners