The Grammy-winning singer is set to headline the live staging, which is scheduled to air on Easter Sunday, April 1 on the network.
- Dec 20, 2017
AceShowbiz - John Legend is set to headline NBC's live production of "Jesus Christ Superstar Live!". As announced on "Today", the 10-time Grammy Award winner is set to play Jesus Christ on the show, which is set to air on Easter Sunday.
"Today" has also taken to its Twitter account to share the news. ".@johnlegend cast as Jesus Christ in the upcoming NBC musical event 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live!' " so it writes in the caption.
.@johnlegend cast as Jesus Christ in the upcoming NBC musical event “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” pic.twitter.com/djtG5RCFEC
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 19, 2017
"I'm thrilled to join the cast of this production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live' in Concert," Legend said in a statement. "It's such a powerful, meaningful musical and I'm humbled to be part of this performance. 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."
Executive producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, who penned the original musical, writes on his Twitter account, "We are thrilled to have @johnlegend join us as Jesus for @JCSTheMusical Live! this Easter #TeamALW." The "All of Me" hitmaker later retweeted it alongside a caption which reads, "Just woke up to Andrew LLoyd Webber tweeting about me. It's a good day."
We are thrilled to have @johnlegend join us as Jesus for @JCSTheMusical Live! this Easter #TeamALW https://t.co/dvTmlhgMCC
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) December 19, 2017
Just woke up to Andrew LLoyd Webber tweeting about me. It’s a good day. https://t.co/QfIivg1N8k
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 19, 2017
"We're all overjoyed to have world-class musical artist and producer John Legend starring as Jesus," Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, says. "This score demands a singer with an amazing range and an actor with great depth, and there isn't anyone better to bring this story to a new audience. His casting is also groundbreaking as the traditional image of Christ will be seen in a new way."
"John Legend is a superstar," EP Tim Rice says in a statement. "As a performer, his voice is infectious and effortless. As an actor, he is believable and honest. I'm thrilled he will be able to share his portrayal of Jesus with the world."
John's supermodel actress Chrissy Teigen, meanwhile, responds the news with a hilarious tweet. Replying to John's tweet about his upcoming gig, the soon-to-be mother of two writes, "How are they gonna fit u in the manger." Playing along with his wife's witty tweet, John replies, "One of the many baby John Legends will be in the manger," referencing to the many photos which show fans' babies bearing strong resemblance to the singer.
How are they gonna fit u in the manger
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) December 19, 2017
One of the many baby John Legends will be in the manger https://t.co/mc2IJfcLgm
— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 19, 2017
John's upcoming gig on "Jesus Christ Superstar Live!" won't be the first time for John showcasing his acting skill. The Oscar winner made appearance in Oscar-winning movie "La La Land" and "Soul Men" as well as a slew of TV series including "Underground" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm".
The original musical, which Webber wrote alongside Rice, opened on Broadway in 1971. NBC's "Jesus Christ Superstar Live!" is scheduled to air on Easter Sunday, April 1 on the network.
