A Tyler Perry Musical About Jesus Christ Sounds Great

If you’re in the mood for more musicals—which of course you are—Tyler Perry is hosting a live musical version of The Passion, the story of Jesus Christ, early next year. Hallelujer?

With NBC’s musical presentations like Peter Pan Live! and The Wiz Live! having relative success this year, Tyler Perry was bound to get in the game soon. The Passion is the perfect vehicle for him, given his love of religious melodrama.

The story follows the adventures of Christ on the day of The Last Supper, the Judas betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection.

Deadline reports:

Hosted and narrated by New Orleans native Tyler Perry, it will tell the story of the last hours of Jesus Christ, featuring a cast of top entertainers performing popular tunes arranged by music producer Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages). The project is looking to capitalize on recent interest in both live TV musicals (NBC’s The Sound of Music, The Wiz!) and Jesus-themed programming like The Bible and Killing Jesus.

Tyler Perry Presents Jesus Christ takes place in New Orleans on March 20 and will air live on Fox. There will be “a procession of hundreds of people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from Champion Square outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.”

Fox Entertainment president David Madden calls Perry “the perfect host to lead the cast–and viewers–through the streets of New Orleans in this contemporary re-telling of a timeless story.”