Catholic actors bring live ‘Passion of the Christ’ to central Los Angeles

One of the most famous re-enactments of the Passion of the Christ will take place next year in Oberammergau, a small town 60 miles south of Munich.

In 1633, the townspeople of Oberammergau promised God that if the Black Plague, which was sweeping through Europe, passed over their town, they would faithfully organize a live performance of Christ’s death and resurrection every 10 years. The 2020 production is the continuation of this promise.

If residents of Los Angeles cannot be one of the anticipated 750,000 audience members in Germany next year, there are many other options right in their own hometown this Lenten season.

“The Last Days: the Passion and Death of Jesus, the Christ” will be performed at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Central Los Angeles from April 5 to April 19, ending on Good Friday.

Jonathan Roumie (Mindy Project) and Maria Vargo are the producers, directors, and lead actors of the production, playing Jesus and Mary, respectively.

The two artists first met in 2013 when Roumie played Jesus and Vargo played St. Faustina Kowalska in the one-woman production of “Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy,” a live drama of Saint Luke Productions.

Roumie’s role as Jesus was pre-recorded and played each night on a screen to depict the Divine Mercy apparitions. “Every night, I would get to act with him, except he wasn’t there,” Vargo said, laughing.

Maria’s role as St. Faustina was a four-year commitment that saw her perform 300 shows throughout the U.S. She said the sacred

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