Fox’s Biblical Musical ‘The Passion’ Adds Singers Yolanda Adams and Michael W. Smith

Fox’s live biblical musical The Passion has added two more musicians to its roster.

Gospel singer Yolanda Adams and Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith have signed on for the two-hour event, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Set in modern times, The Passion follows the dramatic and inspirational 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.

Adams will kick off The Passion, which will be broadcast from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, at 8 p.m. ET (tape-delayed PT), with a live performance. Smith will play one of Jesus’ disciples.

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The duo joins host and narrator Tyler Perry, as well as castmembers Jencarlos Canela (Jesus Christ), Chris Daughtry (Judas), Prince Royce (the disciple Peter), Seal (Pontius Pilate) and Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus).

Unlike fellow musicians Daughtry and Seal, who will make their acting debuts in the production, Smith appeared in the 2015 film 90 Minutes in Heaven. The “Place in the World” singer, who has won three Grammy awards, has sold more than 15 million albums to date. He is repped by CAA and Blanton Harrell Cooke & Corzine.

Adams, named Billboard‘s Gospel Artist of the Decade, is a five-time Grammy winner.

The Passion was written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical). Dick Clark Productions with Eye2EyeMedia and Anders Media will produce the special. Eye2EyeMedia’s Jacco Doornbos and The Passion: Netherlands’ David Grifhorst will executive produce with Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan and Marc Bracco of Dick Clark Productions and music producer Adam Anders (Glee). Robert Deaton (CMA Awards) will serve as executive producer and showrunner.