NBC revealed on Wednesday that its next live musical will be the classic Broadway hit Jesus Christ Superstar.
The production is set to air live on Easter Sunday 2018 and executive produced by the musical’s creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, as well as Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, and Marc Platt.
The project features the final weeks of Jesus’ life, and several other historical figures in prominent roles, including Judas Iscariot, Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, Peter, Simon Zealotes and King Herod.
“As we continue to expand the profile of our live musicals, we are thrilled to be partnering with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to bring a new live staging of the iconic Jesus Christ Superstar to NBC,” said Robert Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment Chairman, in a statement. “Casting has just begun, but we want to fill out this classic show with as many recording artists as possible to give proper voice to what is the original rock opera score.”
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine:
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE! arrives next Easter Sunday on NBC https://t.co/aE0ywWX8Nx pic.twitter.com/e6LIiq8FzV
— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) May 11, 2017
Jesus Christ Superstar, originally considered as a concept album that hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, made its way to the Broadway stage in 1971, where it earned five Tony Awards nominations. And in 1973, it was also made into a feature film directed by Oscar winner Norman Jewison.
NBC has a history of doing musical classics. The network kicked off the live musical craze in 2013 with The Sound of Music Live!, followed by Peter Pan Live! in 2014. Then it went on to debut The Wiz Live! in 2015 and Hairspray Live! in 2016.
Jesus Christ Superstar airs live on April 1, 2018, Sunday on NBC.
