Who better to play the lead role of Jesus Christ in a live version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" than John Legend?
The news was announced on Dec. 19 on the "Today" show that Legend will step into the rock opera's title role. He joins previously announced shock rocker Alice Cooper, who will play the role of King Herod.
The live broadcast is directed by British theater director David Leveaux and will air on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, in front of a live audience at the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn N.Y.'s Williamsburg neighborhood.
The production, "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!," is based on Webber's popular stage musical, which chronicles the final week of Jesus' life. The musical's soundtrack album earned three GRAMMY nominations for the composer for 1971 and 1972, including two Album Of The Year nods.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are thrilled to have <a href="https://twitter.com/johnlegend?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johnlegend</a> join us as Jesus for <a href="https://twitter.com/JCSTheMusical?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JCSTheMusical</a> Live! this Easter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamALW?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamALW</a> <a href="https://t.co/dvTmlhgMCC">https://t.co/dvTmlhgMCC</a></p>— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialALW/status/943110799702102016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
"I'm thrilled to join the cast of this production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert!' It's such a powerful, meaningful musical and I'm humbled to be part of this performance," Legend said, according to Billboard. "We've already formed an incredible team, and, as we finish casting, I'm certain we will put together some of the greatest talents around to do this work justice."
Watch John Legend's Rooftop Performance On "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
