Seal Cast as Pontius Pilate for Fox’s ‘The Passion’
He’ll join Tyler Perry, Chris Daughtry and Trisha Yearwood, among others
Tony Maglio | February 4, 2016 @ 11:07 AM
Last Updated: February 4, 2016 @ 11:24 AM
<> at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on November 18, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Grammy Award-winning singer Seal has been set as Pontius Pilate on Fox’s upcoming live musical event “The Passion.”
With the role, he’ll join Tyler Perry, Chris Daughtry and Trisha Yearwood on Palm Sunday. Additional previously announced cast members include Jencarlos Canela and Prince Royce.
“The Passion,” written by Peter Barsocchini, tells the 2000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s (Canela) life on earth through passages from the Bible and a variety of contemporary popular music, sung by the cast, and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and music producer Adam Anders.
Set in modern day, the event will follow the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth, as he presides over the Last Supper, and then is betrayed by Judas (Daughtry), put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected.
The event will unfold live at some of New Orleans’ most iconic locations, while featuring a procession of a thousand people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from outside the Mercedes Benz Superdome to the live stage at Woldenberg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.
“The Passion” is produced by Dick Clark productions, Eye2Eye Media and Anders Media. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Jacco Doornbos, Adam Anders and David Grifhorst will serve as executive producers. Robert Deaton also will serve as executive producer and showrunner.
Fox’s “Grease: Live” musical followup premieres on March 20 at 8 p.m.
Beyond 'Grease: Live': 11 Musicals That Have No Place on TV (Photos)
Sunday's broadcast of "Grease: Live" was a big hit for Fox, and further proof that live musical events can help networks considerably boost their same-day ratings (and generate social-media buzz). But programmers should beware: Not every musical is ripe for the live TV treatment. Read on for 11 disastrous ideas for small-screen adaptations.
Fox
"Jesus Christ Superstar": Not unless you want the residents of the Bible Belt to have a collective conniption fit when they flip through the channels and see this on their television screens.
Universal
"Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark": This mess of a production was cursed enough during its stage run; no need to extend the carnage to television.
Getty Images
"Cats" : Not unless it was performed by an actual all-kitten cast, anyway.
Getty Images
"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street": This one's probably still a little too cutting-edge for mainstream television's taste.
Getty Images
"Cannibal! The Musical": Audiences would likely also find this one difficult to stomach.
Troma Entertainment
"Team America: World Police": Come for the AIDS song, stay for the projectile vomiting and graphic puppet sex? Yeah, probably not a good idea.
Paramount
"Starlight Express": It's hard enough to get most people on board with musicals, let alone musicals performed on roller skates.
Getty Images
"Hair": The group nudity would probably not go over well with the FCC.
Getty Images
"Springtime for Hitler": Would this fictional would-be flop at the center of "The Producers" make the grade on network TV? Oh, heil, no.
YouTube
"Song of the South": Given the frequent cries of racism over this one, network executives should probably say "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Don't" to taking this one on.
YouTube
"Assassins": In the current political climate, it's probably best not to give people any ideas with this play about people who've targeted U.S. presidents for death.
YouTube
1 of 12
From “Cannibal!” to “Springtime for Hitler,” these productions are all highly inappropriate for the small screen
Sunday's broadcast of "Grease: Live" was a big hit for Fox, and further proof that live musical events can help networks considerably boost their same-day ratings (and generate social-media buzz). But programmers should beware: Not every musical is ripe for the live TV treatment. Read on for 11 disastrous ideas for small-screen adaptations.