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on March 21, 2016 at 3:57 PM, updated March 21, 2016 at 6:07 PM
As critics from around the country weighed in somewhat harshly Monday (March 21) on the Fox network's live, nationally televised musical "The Passion" -- a contemporary retelling of Christ's last hours staged a stone's throw from St. Louis Cathedral -- the Most Rev. Gregory Aymond was more far more merciful in his review. The Roman Catholic archbishop of New Orleans said he thought the ambitious Palm Sunday event was "well done" and did a credible job of bringing "the message and ministry of Jesus Christ into modern times."
As cameras panned the large gathering of spectators at Woldenberg Park on Sunday, Aymond was visible in the crowd, bundled up against the chilly night air. He was among the thousands who witnessed the event live in front of a 10-story-tall stage occupied by top-level performers such as four-time Grammy winner Seal, elite gospel artist Yolanda Adams, three-time Grammy winner Trisha Yearwood portraying Jesus's mother Mary and narrator Tyler Perry, a New Orleans native.
Woven into the live performances were recorded scenes from around the city with actors portraying Jesus and his disciples as they recreated the story of the crucifixion against the backdrop of police cars and espresso machines. Those scenes, which were shown on a giant screen at Woldenberg Park for the live audience, were shot in locations such as Audubon Park, the Riverwalk and a local coffee shop.
Aymond said he thought the actors were "very good, very reverent." The locations chosen for the recorded scenes were "settings in which Jesus would go" with his disciples, he said. "It helped me have an image of what Jesus would look if he walked the earth today," Aymond said.
Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond said he thought the Fox network's "The Passion" television show was "well done" and did a credible job of bringing "the message and ministry of Jesus Christ into modern times." (Photo by Ted Jackson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archives)
The archbishop said he was particularly pleased with the focus the production gave to Mary, who was portrayed by Yearwood and given ample stage time. Yearwood sang five songs from the Woldenberg Park stage.
The show ended on a high note with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Adams in a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In." Members of the cast joined them on stage.
Some critics, such as Mike Scott of NOLA.com | The Times-Picayuune, found something to like in the show. "Even if 'The Passion' featured its share of schmaltz, it all went down easily enough, thanks to the night's uplifting and celebratory tone," Scott wrote.
However, there were numerous reviews that were less than flattering. Mike Hale of The New York Times said Fox "took the greatest story ever told and turned it into a halftime show."
Variety's Brian Lowery wrote, "Just sitting through this hybrid telecast until the saints went marching out was its own kind of cross to bear."
As cameras panned the large gathering of spectators at Woldenberg Park on Sunday, Aymond was visible in the crowd, bundled up against the chilly night air. He was among the thousands who witnessed the event live in front of a 10-story-tall stage occupied by top-level performers such as four-time Grammy winner Seal, elite gospel artist Yolanda Adams, three-time Grammy winner Trisha Yearwood portraying Jesus's mother Mary and narrator Tyler Perry, a New Orleans native.
Woven into the live performances were recorded scenes from around the city with actors portraying Jesus and his disciples as they recreated the story of the crucifixion against the backdrop of police cars and espresso machines. Those scenes, which were shown on a giant screen at Woldenberg Park for the live audience, were shot in locations such as Audubon Park, the Riverwalk and a local coffee shop.
Aymond said he thought the actors were "very good, very reverent." The locations chosen for the recorded scenes were "settings in which Jesus would go" with his disciples, he said. "It helped me have an image of what Jesus would look if he walked the earth today," Aymond said.
Archbishop of New Orleans Gregory Aymond said he thought the Fox network's "The Passion" television show was "well done" and did a credible job of bringing "the message and ministry of Jesus Christ into modern times." (Photo by Ted Jackson, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archives) The show ended on a high note with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Adams in a rousing rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In." Members of the cast joined them on stage.
Some critics, such as Mike Scott of NOLA.com | The Times-Picayuune, found something to like in the show. "Even if 'The Passion' featured its share of schmaltz, it all went down easily enough, thanks to the night's uplifting and celebratory tone," Scott wrote.
However, there were numerous reviews that were less than flattering. Mike Hale of The New York Times said Fox "took the greatest story ever told and turned it into a halftime show."
Variety's Brian Lowery wrote, "Just sitting through this hybrid telecast until the saints went marching out was its own kind of cross to bear."
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