Jencarlos Canela On His Role as Jesus Christ in 'The Passion'

From the Last Supper to his rising, the final hours of Jesus of Nazareth will be portrayed in a two-hour musical event, 'The Passion'.

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The "greatest story ever told" is reminded every year with images, books, stories and live events. From the Last Supper to his rising, the final hours of Jesus of Nazareth will be portrayed in a two-hour musical event, The Passion. 
As hundreds of people carry a 20-foot, illuminated cross from Champion Square outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River, a carefully selected cast will perform live. The story will develop at some of New Orleans’ most iconic locations.
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Singer and actor Jencarlos Canela will be playing Jesus, "the biggest icon to ever walk the earth," as he describes. Canela told us he understands the responsibility of this performance and it's one he's taken very seriously. He said, "As a unit, as a world, as a race we need to hear this message too." 

He spoke on his experience with the cast. "Some of us are getting together for the first time. The story really brought us together." Prince Royce, whom he's worked with before will be playing Peter. ​"It was good seeing him [Royce] again. But Chris Daughtry [Judas] has become my brother... Like we have a bromance. I'm talking about Judas and I were chilling all the time," he said playfully. 

​Canela also expressed his respect for Daughtry as an individual and as an artist. "In all seriousness, this guy is gonna blow all of you away." ​ 

​​The cast also includes Seal, who will be interpreting Pontius Pilate and Trisha Yearwood as Mary. 

What makes this show different?

Set in modern day, the music will not be traditional. Music producer Adam Anders (Glee, Rock of Ages) arranged a variety of popular music, including “Unconditional” from Katy Perry. 

​Jencarlos affirmed the bible was not just a guide, but also strictly followed and respected. "What's special about this story is that we've respected the bible at it's entirety. The texts being told, the story has not been altered. We are doing it as it says in the bible. When you hear the words spoken by me, you'll be able to find them in the bible word by word what I'm saying. There's a committee based on faith supervising every text and every piece of it. You won't feel that the story's been changed because we've never wanted to do that."

He exhorts all generations to join and experience it together. "If you as a grandfather, as a father want a connection with your son, you have to learn and know how to speak to our generation."

Canela concludes, "The message is the most important thing here. And if you believe in the message, in the word and you really believe in God, you don't want to miss what's gonna happen March 20th on Fox. Because it's never been done before. And it's the first step for my generation and a big part of the world to feel identified with this story we all need so much." 

Narrated by Tyler Perry, The Passion will begin at 8pm on March 20th on Fox.

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by Jessica G. Ferrer
www.jessicagferrer.com