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TechnoratiThe groundbreaking "Inspired by: The Bible Experience" is causing an unexpected stir in stores this Christmas season.
Wal-Mart reports that the 21-hour Bible Experience has been near top spot for audio books on its website for weeks. It has had sales of 80,000 in just over a month. The next best-selling audio Bible in the U.S., by leading Christian communications company Zondervan, clears barely 60,000 a year.
The dramatized reading of the the New Testament, based on today's New International Version of the Bible, is brought to life by a collection of distinguished acts such as Denzel Washington as Solomon, Samuel L. Jackson in the role of God, Angela Bassett as Esther, Blair Underwood as Jesus, and Bishop T. D. Jakes as the Holy Spirit in a stellar list of over 250 celebrities, musicians, politicians, and clergy.
In addition, the audio Bible features movie-quality sound effects and background music.
"The personalities, sound effects and original musical score make this the freshest, most compelling and thoroughly modern way to learn and understand the Bible," said Paul Caminiti, vice president of Zondervan, distributor of "Inspired by: The Bible Experience."
The production has the entire New Testament and part of the Old, an original score recorded by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and is available on CDs and MP3 format. During the first quarter of the year, all scriptures will be available as ring tones.
"We're living in the sight and sound generation. We had to utilize today's technology," said executive producer Ron Belk.
Its success has led the production company to start on a more ambitious Old Testament for next year. Musical producer Lou Brown said more African-American actors had joined the big names.
"The buzz spread through the black community in Hollywood like wildfire," he said.
