NBC is giving fans an early glimpse of what’s in store for its Easter Sunday broadcast of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, which airs from the Marcy Armory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn April 1 at 8 PM ET.
Academy and Grammy Award-winning musician John Legend will star as Jesus in the presentation that also features Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas, Alice Cooper as King Herod, Ben Daniels as Pontius Pilate, Norm Lewis as Caiaphas, Jason Tam as Peter, Jin Ha as Annas, and Erik Gronwall as Simon Zealotes.
In the video above, Legend gives Superstar fans a glimpse into rehearsals as he prepares to sing “Gethsemane” from the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice score.
Executive produced by Superstar composer Lloyd Webber and lyricist Rice, the David Leveaux-helmed concert will be staged in front of an audience at the Marcy Armory in Williamsburg. Alex Rudzinski, who earned an Emmy for his work on Fox's Grease and an additional nod for NBC's Hairspray, returns to the live musical format as television director.
The creative team will also feature television director and producer Alex Rudzinski (Hairspray Live!), Tony-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell (Hamilton), music producer Harvey Mason Jr. (The Wiz Live!), musical director Nigel Wright (Jesus Christ Superstar world arena tour), production designer Jason Ardizzone-West 9 (Adele Live in NYC), and choreographer Camille A. Brown (Once on This Island).
Lloyd Webber and Rice executive produce the live event along with Marc Platt, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, John Legend, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius, and Alex Rudzinski.
Jesus Christ Superstar premiered on Broadway in 1971 and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Original Score for Lloyd Webber and Rice. The show was subsequently revived in 1977, 2000, and 2012.
