Tyler Perry, Daughtry and Seal bring "The Passion" to a modern audience, live
Most Christians know the story of the Passion like the back of their hands and hear excerpts from the Last Supper referenced every time they take communion. But on Palm Sunday 2016, FOX breathed new life into the familiar story of Jesus' death and resurrection by bringing it to the masses in arguably the most modern way any film or TV program has tackled it yet.
"The Passion Live" featured a star-studded cast of familiar faces with pipes to match their obvious passion for the content. Country music superstar Trisha Yearwood played Mary, "American Idol" alum Chris Daughtry leant his soaring rock vocals to the role of Judas, Seal stepped in as a contemplative Pontius Pilate and "Telenovela" star Jencarlos Canela played Jesus. Popular Latin pop star Prince Royce made his TV movie debut as Jesus' loyal right hand man, Peter.
The ambitious live production was shot in iconic locations around the city of New Orleans; a decision, which host Tyler Perry explained, was far from an accident. Though it is also the media mogul's hometown, the media mogul explained that it is also a city that -- thanks to Hurricane Katrina -- has quite literally been resurrected over the past decade, making for a perfect pairing of story and setting.
Throughout the program, with Perry acting as a sort of preacher translating and lacing together the content for those watching at home, a procession of locals from New Orleans marched through the city and down Bourbon Street with a 20-foot illuminated cross that weighed more than 250 pounds.
The images onscreen were of today's generation. Judas donned a black leather jacket. The disciples met in an urban bar. And when Jesus was betrayed, we saw him being carted off by police in riot gear, only to turn up a short time later in an orange prison jumpsuit -- images modern-day audiences have seen many times, but rarely in the context of a biblical story.
Perhaps the most revolutionary part of the program's interpretation, though, lay not in its imagery, but in its choice of music. Rather than resorting to traditional church hymns or employing Christian rock musicians to write new songs, the producers hand-selected mainstream pop hits from the radio that seemed to, somehow, seamlessly fit the narrative.
In doing so, they forced viewers to think about lyrics that most people have been absentmindedly singing for years and created a palpable sense of excitement amongst the live audience who eagerly awaited the next song in the surprising lineup. The soundtrack also weaved in the music of a new generation into a religious experience.
Whether it was Judas singing "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence, Pontius Pilate singing "Mad World" or Jesus singing "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry, there were countless surprises in Sunday night's track list (outlined below) that were all the more unexpected for how apropos these pop hits actually were.
- "When Love Takes Over" - David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland (performed by Yolanda Adams to begin the show)
- "Love Can Move Mountains" - Celine Dion (performed by whole cast)
- "My Love Is Your Love" - Whitney Houston (performed by Mary)
- "Home" - Phillip Phillips (performed as a duet between Jesus and Peter)
- "With Arms Wide Open" - Creed (performed by Jesus)
- "Hands" - Jewel (performed by Mary)
- "Bring Me To Life" - Evanescence (performed by Judas)
- "Calling All Angels" - Train (performed by Jesus)
- "I Won't Give Up" - Jason Mraz (performed by Mary)
- "Demons" - Imagine Dragons (performed as a duet between Jesus and Judas)
- "The Reason" - Hoobastank (performed by Peter)
- "You'll Never Walk Alone" - Gerry & The Pacemakers (formed by Mary)
- "We Don't Need Another Hero" - Tina Turner (performed as a duet between Jesus and Pontius Pilate)
- "Mad World" - Tears for Fears (performed by Pontius Pilate)
- "Broken" - Lifehouse (performed by Mary)
- "Unconditionally" - Katy Perry (performed by Jesus)
