Black Stars Featured On New Audio Bible

Forest Whitaker, an Oscar winner for his portrayal of ruthless dictator Idi Amin, is reversing direction to play one of the Bible’s most beloved figures in a new audio version of the Old Testament.

Whitaker is the voice of Moses in “Inspired By . . . The Bible Experience: Old Testament,” officials said Tuesday.

The audio Bible, to be released in November on 72 CDs and on iTunes, features an all-black cast of more than 200 actors, singers and clergy, officials said Tuesday. The dramatic performances are set to an original musical score performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra.

The cast also includes Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett and Cuba Gooding Jr.

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The audio Bible is being produced by Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Christian production company, Inspired By Media Group Inc., and released by Zondervan. The Grand Rapids-based publisher of religious books and recordings is a division of News Corp.-owned HarperCollins.

The two companies earlier teamed up to produce an audio version of the New Testament featuring many of the same performers. Since its release last November, the New Testament version has sold more than 310,000 copies, Zondervan said in a written statement.

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