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BRANDON VICTOR DIXON STARS AS JUDAS IN ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE IN CONCERT’

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‘HAMILTON’ VET AND TONY-WINNING PRODUCER BRANDON VICTOR DIXON STARS AS JUDAS IN NBC’S ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE IN CONCERT’ EASTER SUNDAY

Tony Award-winning producer, “Hamilton” alum and “Power” co-star Brandon Victor Dixon will star as Judas and join an already stellar cast in NBC’s highly anticipated special event “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” to be aired Easter Sunday, April 1 from the Marcy Armory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Also joining the cast are Tony nominee Ben Daniels as Pontius Pilate, Tony nominee Norm Lewis as Caiaphas, Broadway veteran Jason Tam as Peter, “M. Butterfly” star Jin Ha as Annas and Swedish rock star Erik Gronwall as Simon Zealotes.

Rounding out the full, award-winning creative team is Emmy Award-winning live television director and executive producer Alex Rudzinski (“Hairspray Live!,” “Dancing With the Stars”), Emmy- and Tony Award-winning costumer designer Paul Tazewell (“The Wiz Live!,” “Hamilton”), Grammy Award-winning music producer Harvey Mason Jr. (“The Wiz Live!”), musical director Nigel Wright (“Jesus Christ Superstar” world arena tour), production designer Jason Ardizzone-West (“Adele Live in NYC”) and choreographer Camille A. Brown (“Once on This Island”).

As previously announced, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert,” a staged version of the original rock musical, will be executive produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Marc Platt, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, John Legend, Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius and Alex Rudzinski.

Oscar, Golden Globe, Tony and 10-time Grammy winner John Legend has been cast as Jesus Christ, with Broadway star and acclaimed recording artist Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene. In addition, rock icon Alice Cooper will take on the role of King Herod. The production will be helmed by esteemed British theatre director David Leveaux.

Dixon will play Judas, an apostle of Jesus who has concerns for the poor and the consequences of Jesus’s popularity. Dixon won a Tony in 2014 as a producer of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” which won for Best Revival of a Musical. In 2006 Dixon was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Harpo in “The Color Purple,” and again in 2016 for his role as Eubie Blake in “Shuffle Along.”

In addition to his Tony nominations, Dixon is known to many Broadway theatergoers as Aaron Burr from the musical sensation “Hamilton.” Dixon played Burr for nearly a year at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. In addition, he co-starred in a 2010 Off Broadway production of the musical “The Scottsboro Boys,” directed by Susan Stroman. On the TV side, Dixon currently co-stars on the Starz series “Power” as Terry Silver. He previously appeared on “The Good Wife” and performed on “The 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” in December.

Ben Daniels will portray Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea who has a dream about the gruesome way Jesus will be killed. Daniels was Tony nominated in 2008 for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Le Vicomte de Valmont in “Les Liasons Dangereuses.” In 2016 he co-starred in the blockbuster film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” His TV credits include “The Exorcist” and “House of Cards.”

Tony nominee Norm Lewis will play Caiaphas, a high priest who sees Jesus as a threat to the nation. Lewis was Tony nominated in 2012 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical in “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess” and is currently starring in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of “Once on this Island.” Lewis’ other extensive Broadway credits include “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Miss Saigon,” “Chicago,” “Les Miserables,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Sondheim on Sondheim.” On the TV side, Lewis has appeared in “The Blacklist,” “Gotham,” “Chicago Med” and “Scandal.”

Jason Tam will portray Peter, one of the apostles who saves himself the night Jesus is arrested. Tam has worked steadily on Broadway and his credits include “Les Miserables,” “A Chorus Line,” “Lysistrata Jones” and “If/Then.” His TV appearances include “The Blacklist,” “Hawaii Five-0” and “Do No Harm.”

Jin Ha will play Annas, a priest who aligned with Caiaphas and also saw Jesus as a threat. Ha made his Broadway debut as Song Liling in the 2017 revival of “M. Butterfly” at the Cort Theatre.

Erik Gronwall will play apostle Simon Zealotes, who believes Jesus should lead his followers into battle against the Romans. Gronwall came to fame in 2009 by winning the Swedish version of “American Idol.” Using “Idol” to jumpstart his music career, Gronwall released his first single, “Higher,” a few weeks after winning the competition and the song immediately shot to #1 on the charts. “Higher,” along with his self-titled album, soon reached platinum. He currently is the lead singer of the band H.E.A.T., who tour worldwide.

The “Jesus Christ Superstar” album hit #1 on the Billboard charts and made its way to the stage in 1971. It is based on the final week of Jesus’ life. The 1971 musical opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway and starred Jeff Fenholt as Jesus and Ben Vereen as Judas. It was nominated for five Tonys, including Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Vereen. Lloyd Webber won a Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Composer.

Since then, the musical has been considered a classic and has become a staple of theatre and music organizations throughout the world. It has been performed in nearly 20 countries and translated into 18 different languages. There have been many revivals of “Jesus Christ Superstar” over the 46 years since its debut, including 2000 and 2012 Broadway versions that each earned a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Musical. The 1973 film was directed by Oscar winner Norman Jewison and starred Ted Neeley.

“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” will be produced by Universal Television, The Really Useful Group, Marc Platt Productions and Zadan/Meron Productions.

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MC Earth: The Raptivist Revolutionizing Hip-Hop and Saving the Planet

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In the world of hip-hop, a new voice has emerged, one that not only spits bars but also spreads awareness about the most pressing issue of our time: environmental conservation.

Meet MC Earth, aka Ben Simon, a Maryland-based rapper, songwriter, and environmental activist who is on a mission to protect the planet and inspire a new generation of change-makers.

MC Earth’s journey began on the streets, freestyling and performing for crowds in Rockville, Maryland. But it wasn’t until he had a profound encounter with Mother Nature in the forests of Mount Rainier that he discovered his true purpose. He realized that his music could be a powerful tool for change, and thus, MC Earth was born.

With his debut EP, “This is a Gift,” MC Earth is set to make a significant impact on the music industry. The six-track project is a call to action, blending old-school and new-school styles with conscious lyrics that tackle topics like sustainability, climate change, and social justice. Produced by InsaneBeatz, the EP is a potent canvas for MC Earth’s message, with each song telling a unique story that culminates in a powerful narrative.

MC Earth’s music is not just about raising awareness; it’s about inspiring action. He is committed to donating 10% of his earnings to the Nature Conservancy, a leading environmental organization dedicated to protecting ecosystems and preserving natural habitats. His “Stream to green” initiative encourages fans to support his music while also supporting the planet.

But MC Earth’s impact goes beyond his music. He is a passionate performer who has entertained thousands of people on the streets and on stage. His energy is infectious, and his message is resonating with fans of all ages. He has collaborated with other artists and has plans to release a deluxe version of his EP in the fall.

MC Earth’s story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and creativity. He is a shining example of how one person can make a difference, and his music is a reminder that we all have the ability to create positive change.

In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, MC Earth’s message is more crucial than ever. His music is a call to action, urging us to take responsibility for our planet’s future. As he raps in his song “Boss Talk,” “The present is a present, and this is a gift.” Let us embrace this gift and join MC Earth in his mission to protect the Earth and inspire a better tomorrow.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6pLNbfdHbpC7338J8yYj4B
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mc-earth/1614476360
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mcearth
Bandcamp: https://mcearth.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themcearth/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themcearth
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMCEarth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themcearth
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@themcearth

This is a Gift EP: https://open.spotify.com/album/17OQ5tukkIhl13cBCwLEQa?si=n6qSA_ifQ6GiKt2zOg7q5w
Boss Talk Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPEm_GEczTY&ab_channel=MCEarth

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