A live version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1971 musical will be broadcast live from New York on April 1 (Easter Sunday), via NBC. Legend is to take the lead role, while Alice Cooper is to play King Herod. A spokesman from NBC said:

"We’re all overjoyed to have world-class musical artist and producer John Legend starring as Jesus. 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.”

Bless up. I'm playing Jesus Christ in #JesusChristSuperstar Live! coming to @NBC this April! pic.twitter.com/CMdD4TPN7h

— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 19, 2017