UPPER LAKE >> Jesus is calling it quits.
Jose Angel Martinez, who has portrayed Jesus of Nazareth for eight years in the annual Lake County Passion Play, said after Saturday’s performance that next year will be his last as Christ.
“It’s time to turn it over to another person,” Martinez said. “Two years from now I will still be here but I will be in the audience. It will be a really different feeling.”
Martinez wowed crowds at the pageant for the past seven years and he did so again last weekend at the 37th annual Lake County Passion Play, the story of the final days of Christ, including the Last Supper, Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Last year, many in the audience brought umbrellas due to cool and stormy weather. The parasols were out again last weekend but not for rain. The weather was beautiful both days, with full sun and temperatures in the 90s. Several hundred people attended each day.
For many in the audience, the pageant is a religious experience that turns words and people from the Bible into a colorful portrayal of Christian history only several hundred feet in front of them.
At times, it seems so real to many pageant-goers that they turn their heads away when Roman soldiers flog Jesus or cry at His crucifixion. Others jeer at Judas’ betrayal of Christ or Jesus’ torture by Roman soldiers.
“I definitely felt emotional at times,” said first-time attendee Kristy Kauffman of Menifee. “It was awesome. I thought they told the story very well.”
Two other first-timers, Hal and Mandy Pauli, of Potter Valley, had never heard much about the pageant but thought they would check it out.
“We’re Christian and thought we would enjoy a live rendition of the last days of Christ,” Hal Pauli said after Saturday’s performance. “The story is the centerpiece of Christianity.”
He added, “It was quite a powerful performance.”
Mandy Pauli said the couple plan to bring their children to the event when they are older.
“I really enjoyed it,” she added. “It brings to life what the Bible says.”
People come to the pageant for many reasons. For Allison Kauffman of Menifee, it was the horses — she’s a self-described horse lover.
“I thought the horses were beautiful,” she said after Saturday’s performance. “They really help fill out the story.”
For his part, Martinez said he has “very much” enjoyed playing the Son of God for eight years.
“Each time I get something different from the play,” he said. He admitted, though, that playing Jesus “…puts a lot of pressure on me.”
When it comes to cast seniority, Barry Troedel of Upper Lake is near the top. He has played a Roman horse soldier for 25 years. Asked why he has stuck with the pageant for so many years, he responded, “It’s a spiritual experience.”
He spoke after Saturday’s pageant while standing next to his spirited horse with the not-so-Roman name of Baby Doll. Like many cast members, Troedel said he enjoys mingling with the audience and answering questions after the show ends.
This year marked the 37th anniversary of the county’s only annual Passion Play, established by two priests, Father Paul Moran and Father Philip J. Ryan, from St. Mary’s Parish in Lakeport. Ryan still produces the pageant and was present last weekend.
The play is set on 85 acres of gentle, rolling, grassy hills along Westlake Road in Upper Lake with 65 acres for parking. The other 20 acres are dedicated to the play.
Pageant sets include the Garden of Gethsemane, the house of Caiaphas, the Last Supper stage, Pilate’s judgement hall, and Herod’s palace. The Via Dolorosa is a 615-foot switchback climb up a small hill to the crucifixion scene.
In addition to a cast of 140 humans, other actors include horses, sheep and white pigeons playing the parts of doves. There is a large grassy area for seating, where people are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets.
Cast members include Gary Woodson (Peter), Kaleb Sanderson (John), Jose Contreras (Judas), Saul Acosta (Philip), Martin B. McManus (James I), Brother Gideon (James II), Wayne Muller (Thomas), Eddie Pagulayan (Thaddaeus), Pierre Williams (Simon the Zealot), Doug Mooney (Matthew), Jose Benjamin Robles (Bartholomew) and Thomas Lasch (Andrew).
Others in the cast include Cody Haynes as Caiaphas, Peggy Woodson as Mary (mother of Jesus), Judith Steele Lanfranco as Mary Magdalene, Joe Sanderson as Pontius Pilate, Bob Baireuther as Herod, Zachary Kimbell-Auth as Malchus, Maryann Sanderson as Veronica and Joe Swehla as Barabbas.
Pastor Mark Brown is the narrator, Rob Haun is the director, Jose Contreras is assistant director, Craig Swehla is sound director and costumes are by Linda Cervi, Catherine Quistgard, Joanne Ruddock and Marilyn Sommerfield.
Lastly, the child who runs to Jesus is portrayed by Kamari Swehla
The play is presented yearly on the third weekend of May. Admission and parking are free. Bottled water and pageant programs are sold on site.
