Alice Cooper will play the character of King Herod in NBC’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar Live! the Hollywood Reporter reveals. The production is set to air on Easter Sunday.
“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. “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. As the casting for Superstar ramps up, we can feel the excitement building for this brand new concert experience of what has long been considered the original rock musical.”
Alice Cooper isn’t new to movies and television. The King of Shock Rock has also appeared in such films as Wayne’s World, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band and Dark Shadows.
Earlier this year Cooper released his latest studio album, Paranormal. Produced by long-time collaborator Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Deep Purple), Paranormal features a number of special guests including ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons and U2’s Larry Mullen Jr.
Jesus Christ Superstar Live! is directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux. It will air Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 on NBC.
