NBC casts singer John Legend as Jesus Christ

Joshua Gill, DCNF

OSLO, NORWAY - DECEMBER 11: John Legend performs live on stage during the Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2017 at the Telenor Arena. The Nobel Peace Prize Concert is hosted by David Oyelowo to honour this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) on December 11, 2017 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Nigel Waldron/Redferns) — (Photo by Nigel Waldron/Redferns)

NBC has cast singer John Legend as Jesus Christ in its upcoming production of “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” the network announced Tuesday.

Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said NBC was thrilled to cast Legend because the choice is “groundbreaking as the traditional image of Christ will be seen in a new way,” according to EW. Legend said in a statement that he was humbled by the opportunity to be a part of the production.

“I’m thrilled to join the cast of this production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!’” Legend said, according to CNN. “It’s such a powerful, meaningful musical and I’m humbled to be part of this performance.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who wrote the play and are executive producers for NBC’s production, also approved of Legend’s casting, saying they were excited to see his theatrical take on the son of God.

“I’m thrilled he will be able to share his portrayal of Jesus with the world,” Rice said in a statement, according to EW.

NBC also cast Alice Cooper as King Herod and hired Tony Award nominee David Leveaux to direct the play. The production of Jesus Christ Superstar will take place on Easter Sunday, 2018, and will be filmed in front of a live audience.

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