NBC has finally found its King Herod for an upcoming production of “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!”: Alice Cooper.
The rock opera made famous by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music is coming to NBC for Easter, and the man who once shocked Christian activists with his stage show persona will play the king of Judea.
Mr. Cooper, who has long been open about his Christian faith, will be directed by five-time Tony nominee David Leveaux.
“Alice Cooper, whose theatricality is the stuff of legend, is the perfect rock star to play Herod in our live production,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment, Deadline Hollywood reported. “Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote a showstopping musical number for Herod, and we all look forward to the ’King of Shock Rock’ taking on the king of Judea.”
Mr. Cooper, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has thrilled crowds since the late 1960s. Some of his eponymous band’s hits include “I’m Eighteen,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “School’s Out.”
NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” will air on Easter Sunday — April 1, 2018.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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