Title: Exciting News for Easter in Kassel: RTL's "The Passion" Returns
After a brief hiatus, the captivating Jesus musical event "The Passion: The Greatest Story of All Time" is set to return to German soil, this time gracing the picturesque city of Kassel in 2024. Previously slated for 2023, the production faced an unexpected cancellation. Now, RTL is ready to bring this modern reinterpretation of the core Christian Easter tale to the stage once more, emphasizing unity and generosity.
Known for hosting the renowned documenta art exhibition, Kassel, a city of approximately 200,000 inhabitants, has proven to be an attractive venue for such an event.
Unfortunately, RTL has yet to disclose who will be stepping into the role of Jesus or the exact broadcast date. However, one detail was revealed: esteemed German actor Hannes Jaenicke (63) will assume the role of narrator, replacing 2022's entertainer Thomas Gottschalk.
Going back to the first performance in Essen, singer and former "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" winner Alexander Klaws took on the role of Jesus. Scenes from the Passion unfolded in intriguing settings, such as a currywurst stand, shopping centers, and public transport, captivating hundreds of onlookers. The climax saw a massive illuminated cross being paraded through Essen, while the narrator recited essential scenes from the Passion narrative.
Environmental activist and new narrator Jaenicke expressed his thoughts on the event's revival:
"Given the rising historical amnesia, inadequate education, and the culture of gifts prevalent at celebrations like Christmas and Easter today, it's significant to occasionally remind people of our Christian-Jewish heritage's foundations. I applaud the idea of presenting the Passion story live and in a contemporary fashion."
"The Passion" has found a strong presence in the Netherlands for over a decade, establishing itself as one of their most popular live TV events. Although the exact budget for the German iteration is yet to be determined, RTL revealed that the first performance in Essen attracted over three million viewers, sparking much discussion and anticipation online.
While there is no current information available on an upcoming "The Passion: The Greatest Story of All Time" performance in Kassel, live music events steeped in solidarity and kindness during the Easter season have a consistent appeal, making this year's spectacle an event eagerly awaited by viewers.
