Alice Cooper to play King Herod in NBC's 'Jesus Christ Superstar Live!'

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Music icon Alice Cooper has signed on to play King Herod in NBC's staged rock concert Jesus Christ Superstar Live!

David Leveaux is to direct the Bible-based show, which is to air April 1, Easter Sunday. Jesus Christ Superstar Live! is being executive produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Marc Platt, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

"Alice Cooper, whose theatricality is the stuff of legend, is the perfect rock star to play Herod in our live production," Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement Friday. "Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote a show-stopping musical number for Herod and we all look forward to the King of Shock Rock taking on the King of Judea. As the casting for Superstar ramps up, we can feel the excitement building for this brand-new concert experience of what has long been considered the original rock musical."

Cooper, 69, is known for his songs "Poison," "Bed of Nails," "Feed My Frankenstein," "I'm Eighteen" and "School's Out." His film credits include Dark Shadows and Wayne's World.