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2017 Billboard Music Awards - Arrivals

Source: Jeffrey Mayer / Getty

The coming year is already off to a good start for John Legend. Not only is he expecting his second child with wife Chrissy Teigen, the multi-talented entertainer has been cast in the title role in NBC’s live stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

“We’re all overjoyed to have world-class musical artist and producer John Legend starring as Jesus,” said Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment in a statement. “This score demands a singer with an amazing range and an actor with great depth, and there isn’t anyone better to bring this story to a new audience. His casting is also groundbreaking as the traditional image of Christ will be seen in a new way.”

We’re all very aware of Legend’s talents as a musician, songwriter, actor, and producer, as well as his recent ventures into television and film, with his executive production work on the series Underground and Oscar-nominated La La Land. He’s a 10-time Grammy winner, and he scored an Oscar for his work on the song “Glory,” which was featured on the soundtrack for the 2014 film Selma. He won a Tony Award earlier this year for his role as co-producer of the play “Jitney.” That makes Legend a prime candidate for winning the fabled EGOT, which is the distinction for someone who’s won all four major annual American entertainment awards in a competitive category. He only needs an Emmy win to join the exclusive club.

“I’m thrilled to join the cast of this production of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” Legend said in a statement. “It’s such a powerful, meaningful musical and I’m humbled to be part of this performance. We’ve already formed an incredible team, and, as we finish casting, I’m certain we will put together some of the greatest talents around to do this work justice.”

Legend will star alongside rock legend Alice Cooper, who’s been tapped to play the role of King Herrod. The production is slated to debut on April 1, which will be Easter Sunday 2018. The play is based on the 1971 Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, which focuses on the last week of Jesus’ life before he was killed and resurrected.