Local Reaction to Tyler Perry’s Live Musical, “The Passion”

Clear your calendars for this Sunday night:

It’s a brand-new live television event coming to you here on KVRR.

We’re bringing you the all-star cast of Tyler Perry’s “The Passion”, the story of Jesus Christ and the crucifixion.

Mr. Madea himself is bringing you a modern-day musical retelling of the Easter miracle starring Trisha Yearwood, Seal, and with a live audience participating in downtown New Orleans.

The Big Easy has had it far from easy the last few years.

Now, Tyler Perry is using the streets of New Orleans to tell another tale of resurrection:  The Easter story live and in song.

“Not everyone has the money for a ticket. Or you have to travel to a big city,” said Kody C. Jones, Artistic Director of Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre.  “It’s just their way of showing them live musicals and how it feels.  Knowing who Tyler Perry is, hearing him speak about his faith, I’m not surprised he’d be involved with something like this.”

Pastor Andy Kvernan’s done three musicals at his Fargo church so far…with an Easter cantata to come this weekend.

Like any performer, he knows live on air is easier said than sung.

“We use art as a way to help people understand Jesus as part of our practice. And the church has, for centuries,” said Pastor Kvernan.

The Bible has been used as the inspiration for a lot of great shows, like Perry’s broadcast: Jesus Christ Superstar. Godspell. You could even make the argument Jesus , the consummate storyteller, was pretty good in front of a crowd.

But as good as these stars are, not even Fox could book the “original cast.”

So, 2000 years after the real premiere…

“I don’t know if they will love it. And that’s the thing about theater. About art. Everyone has an opinion about it and what it is,” said Jones.
 
Tune in and see if they get a little help from on high for a great show.
It airs this Sunday at 7:00pm.