Where Is Jesus At The End Of ‘The Passion’? It’s Definitely High

I don’t know what’s going to happen”, says Tyler Perry, “but my hope is this: I hope this starts a revival in Hollywood.

Still, as familiar as those forms might be, it’s doubtful many of us ever thought we’d see them mashed together into one semi-live, Jesus-juke-box musical – hosted and narrated by Tyler Perry from a New Orleans stage on the banks of the Mississippi.

Yearwood went on to sing several more tunes interspersed throughout the two-hour-long show, partially held in remembrance of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation experienced in the city ten years ago. Let’s tell more stories about Christ and the Disciples!

If Yearwood carried much of the musical burden, the story was carried by Perry and Jencarlos Canela, who played the Messiah as if he were a teen idol leading a boy band of apostles.

The climax of the story, the suffering that gives the passion its Latin-rooted name, in which Jesus is mocked and flogged and driven through the streets toward his crucifixion was jumped over here – this was a feel-good passion, overall – with the action proceeding from “Mad World” straight to a resurrected Christ, singing Katy Perry’s “Unconditionally” from atop the Westin New Orleans Canal Place many stories above the crowd below. Prince Royce plays Peter, and British singer/songwriter Seal steps into the role of Pontius Pilate. Shane Harper, Gabriel Conte, Michael W. Smith will play Jesus’ disciples, and Yolanda Adams will also perform. The modern day retelling of the beloved story will take viewers on a journey into Christ’s final hours in a special infused with a variety of popular hits – which have been arranged for the special by Glee’s Adam Anders.

And when the concert ends, local Catholic and Protestant churches-including St. Louis Cathedral, just across the street from the concert venue-will open their doors for “after-Passion” events.

Don’t forget that tonight, Sunday, March 20, 2016 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), THE PASSION will be aired live from New Orleans on FOX!