Star of Passion play takes on a role of destiny

BOTHELL -- To unwind in his free time, Jesus recently bought a low-mileage CRF-450 Honda dirt bike that he likes to take to Gold Bar and Mount Vernon.

He counts Mel Gibson, Robin Williams and Ray Romano among his acting heroes.


		Dan DeLong / P-I
	A costumed Steve Gustafson holds sisters Isabella and Carmella Galan during a cast meeting Friday at Cedar Park Assembly of God Church.

He drinks Mountain Dew and ends phone conversations with "have a good one."

This week, he's play-acting his death and having the time of his life.

The Savior, generally known as 32-year-old Steve Gustafson, is in the middle of a series of performances in the lead role in the Cedar Park Assembly of God's Passion play, called "The Victor."

Gustafson, a married contractor who lives in Bothell, has appeared in Passion plays before in his native Montana and locally since 1992, when he joined the Cedar Park Assembly of God. But until this year, he hadn't landed Jesus.

He said it seems like a role of destiny.

"I've had more than one person tell me that God has really anointed me," Gustafson said shortly before he sat down for two-hours of preplay makeup.

"I really don't want to sound egotistical about it, but God has given me a gift."

Live church Passion plays got a boost this year when Mel Gibson's multimillion-dollar "The Passion of the Christ" packed theaters and prompted a renewed interest in one of the oldest Christian Church traditions.

In the Christian Church, Passion plays explore through drama the last few days of life, trials, crucifixion, death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Passion forms the foundation of Christian theology and beliefs.

The Bothell church's production has entered its 14th year and involves 300 cast, crew, orchestra and choir member to produce. Most shows pack the 1,200-seat church.

"I think there was a little extra interest this year," said production manager the Rev. Sue Timpe. "The movie did very well."

To land the role of Jesus, Gustafson had to best 10 other candidates last January in a reading. Then came the hard part: growing a beard.

"I'm Swedish, and I don't grow hair as well as some people," he said.

Last night, like the two nights before, he sat through two hours of makeup. The bulk of the time involved the application of red-stained latex and bruise blush to his back, arm and legs.

"Last night it felt like the Romans were using real whips," he said ruefully to makeup wizard and congregant Virginia Bjorklund.

However, the pain was of little concern. To make the performance as realistic as possible, Gustafson asks the Roman guards -- many of whom are close buddies -- to manhandle him a bit. He's seeking the deepest most realistic possible performance.

He's always loved drama, music and the church from the time he was a little boy. His dad was a jail chaplain in his hometown of Missoula, Mont. His work in the play, he said, is the culmination of a lifetime of loving all three.

After the back makeup is done -- his back now looks like crosshatched crimson gouges -- he turns to Virginia for his face and shoulder-length hair. They keep an extra wig backstage in case this one again becomes tangled in the crown of thorns.

To prepare, Gustafson meditates on the Scripture and memorizes his lines by playing them back on a microcassette recorder. He admits the role is physically and emotionally taxing because it is so dramatic and he feels the effort so deeply.

"But my pain is nothing compared to the pain Christ endured," he said. "I tell them to hit me for real. When I'm up on that cross my head is pounding and throbbing from the whole process."

He said he tries to bring a little Gibson to the role.

What about Williams?

"Oh no, " he said laughing, "I don't think that would work."

To unwind, Gustafson stays after the performance to talk with the children, some of whom are a bit scared by the play.

He said he always asks them if they love Christ. He said that time of the night is his favorite.

"It's my passion."

P-I reporter Mike Lewis can be reached at 206-448-8140 or mikelewis@seattlepi.com

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