AceShowbiz -

NBC has set its next live production. The network has ordered a musical event based on "Jesus Christ Superstar", the classic 1971 rock opera, this time for Easter. The upcoming live musical is set to premiere on April 1, 2018, instead of the usual holiday season.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who wrote the music and lyrics respectively of the Broadway show, are on board as executive producers along with Marc Platt, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. The latter two have been involved in all of NBC's previous live productions.

"As we continue to expand the profile of our live musicals, we are thrilled to be partnering with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to bring a new live staging of the iconic Jesus Christ Superstar to NBC," says Robert Greenblatt, Chairman of NBC Entertainment. "Casting has just begun, but we want to fill out this classic show with as many recording artists as possible to give proper voice to what is the original rock opera score."

Originally planned as a rock opera concept album, "Jesus Christ Superstar" is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the last week of Jesus's life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion.

It features such songs as "I Don't Know How to Love Him", "Superstar", "This Jesus Must Die" and many more. The original Broadway show opened in 1971, starring Jeff Fenholt as Jesus of Nazareth.

This year, NBC will present "Bye Bye Birdie Live!" starring Jennifer Lopez, which is set to air in December.