Trisha Yearwood To Star In FOX’s Live Musical, ‘The Passion’

Trisha Yearwood

Trisha Yearwood has been selected to play Mary, the mother of Jesus, in The Passion, a two-hour musical event airing live from New Orleans. The Passion will air on Palm Sunday, March 20, at 8 p.m. ET live on FOX. Prince Royce will play the disciple Peter. Yearwood and Royce join Tyler Perry, who was previously announced as the event’s host and narrator.

The Passion, written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical), tells the story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on Earth through a variety of popular music, sung by the cast including Yearwood and Royce, and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and hit music producer Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages). Robert Deaton (executive director of the CMA Awards) will serve as executive producer and showrunner for the special.

The Passion is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro (CEO, dick clark productions), Mike Mahan (President, dick clark productions), Mark Bracco (Executive Vice President, Programing and Development, dick clark productions), Jacco Doornbos (CEO and Creative Director of Eye2Eye Media), Adam Anders (CEO, Anders Media Inc.) and David Grifhorst (The Passion: Netherlands) will serve as executive producers.

Set in the modern day, the plot follows the dramatic story of Jesus of Nazareth, as he presides over the Last Supper, and then is betrayed by Judas, put on trial by Pontius Pilate, convicted, crucified and resurrected. The event will unfold live at some of New Orleans’ most iconic locations, while featuring a procession of hundreds of people carrying a 20-foot, illuminated cross from outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.

The role in The Passion adds another element to Yearwood’s multi-faceted career. No stranger to the acting world, she has appeared on TV series JAG and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. In 2014, she released her 12th album, PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit. She has also authored three cookbooks and hosts the Emmy Award-winning series, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. In addition, she recently launched her line of cookware (Precious Metals) and furniture (Trisha Yearwood Home Collection).