Set in modern day, THE PASSION follows Jesus of Nazareth as he presides over the Last Supper, is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected.
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“A person that is a believer and is religious will see it and enjoy it and not feel like they’ve changed the word because the word is intact but it’s being surrounded with modern elements and modern music”, he said.
“Well, the reason I wanted to be a part of it all when I heard about it, I said, ‘Thank God I wasn’t producing it, ‘ ’cause how do you pull this off?”
Host and narrator in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tyler Perry of “The Passion”, speaks during the Fox Network presentation at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, California, January 15, 2016.
Anders said although the musical is one with a strong biblical message, the story is relatable to all people. It stars Jencarlos Canela, Prince Royce, Trisha Yearwood, Seal and Chris Daughtry and is narrated by Tyler Perry. The songs featured in THE PASSION include hits from Whitney Houston, Imagine Dragons, Evanescence, Jewel, Tina Turner, Katy Perry and Hoobastank.
“I definitely think this show is for nonbelievers ’cause it’s the greatest story ever told”. Like the music, the wardrobe and setting are modern, so, according to another executive producer, Mark Bracco, “after Judas betrays Jesus and Jesus is arrested, it’s cop cars pulling up and the police arresting Jesus. Despite your background or beliefs, the basis of the story is universal – love, compassion, acceptance and forgiving”, Daughtry said.
Yearwood’s rafter-raising performance scored her first appearance on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart. “That’s why there is such a hunger for this kind of program and again I’m so proud to be a part of it”.
The broadcast will include pre-taped scenes – all filmed in New Orleans – that will depict Christ and his disciples interacting in iconic New Orleans locations such as Audubon Park, the French Quarter, McDonoghville Cemetery, Duncan Plaza and Jackson Square.
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Daughtry said the production “has a common theme of love, acceptance and forgiveness and I hope that it will do the same for us as a people”.
