Fox plans live musical The Passion starring Trisha Yearwood as Mary

Country music star Trisha Yearwood will play the mother of Jesus in the live musical The Passion to be broadcast by Fox on Palm Sunday, March 20. The two-hour broadcast will originate from New Orleans with a focus on Jesus’ last hours before his crucifixion. Filmmaker Tyler Perry, of Madea fame, will host and narrate the event. Multiplatinum recording artist Prince Royce will play Peter.

Placed in a contemporary setting, the script was written by High School Musical’s Peter Barsocchini. Glee and Rock of Ages musical director Adam Anders will executive produce.

The live musical will be beamed from several New Orleans landmarks, including a procession of hundreds carrying a 20-foot illuminated cross from the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenberg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River, according to Billboard.

Yearwood is no stranger to television. In addition to three Grammys, she won an Emmy for her cooking show, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, on Food Network. Her acting credits include appearances on JAG and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Sunday’s broadcast will come while she is in the midst of a world tour with her husband, Garth Brooks.

Perry grew up in New Orleans, where he found the church to be a place of comfort while dealing with ongoing abuse. He later channeled those experiences into the play I Know I’ve Been Changed that featured Christian themes of forgiveness and faith. The play eventually led Perry into a commercially successful television and film career.

Concerning the Palm Sunday broadcast, Perry said, “My hope and prayer is that it leaves people with a sense of hope-faith-forgiveness.”