CHRISTMAS GETS INTO HIGH GEAR DRIVING THROUGH THE STORY OF JESUS.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

CANYON COUNTRY - A young man preparing to play the part of Jesus tried his hand at carpentry Wednesday as he worked on a set for ``Follow The Star,'' a free walk-through and drive-through living tableau that opens tonight at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

``We've been doing a lot of praying that the rain stays away,'' said Tim Christensen, 20, as he helped producer Tony Capitelli with the three crosses in the crucifixion scene.

Tonight, Christensen will be stationed on the roof of one of the church buildings, wearing white flowing robes and surrounded by angelic music in a depiction of Christ's ascension into heaven.

Now in its 10th year, the pageant uses 200 actors and crew in telling the story of Jesus of Nazareth.

Conceived as an outreach ministry for the church by Pastor Martin Brauer, the event attracts thousands of visitors, both on foot and in cars, to the normally quiet Luther Drive cul-de-sac behind McDonald's.

Capitelli, whose regular job is manager of the Do-It Center, has been the show's producer for the last seven years. He also serves as a governing elder of the church. But on Wednesday afternoon he was working with his sleeves rolled up just like the other 20 volunteers building the various sets - an effort described as bigger and better than last year's production.

``The first year we did seven scenes, then we went to 13,'' explained Glenn Hermann, an information technology specialist for Boeing who has been both designer and master carpenter for the pageant since its inception.

As he walked near the towering facades, Hermann said the production staff tries to give the audience the same feeling citizens of ancient Jerusalem had in their walled city.

``Compared to just a few years ago, we're four times the size,'' Hermann boasted.

Funding this event cost about $20,000, including the marketing, costumes, construction, lighting and sound, and feeding of the cast and crew. Church members work on fund raisers throughout the year to support the event, which drew 6,200 people in 2002. Organizers expect 7,000 people to view the pageant this year.

It isn't just the human aspect of the story. At one of the first stations, the nativity, a pen awaits the arrival of sheep and goats and a donkey on which one of the actors playing Jesus will ride in the ``triumphal-entry scene.''

The tableau wraps around the outside of the church grounds, with the most stunning display being the three crosses revealed as visitors turn a corner at the back of the parking lot.

``We literally have people in tears here,'' Capitelli said. ``Last year, there was a guy leaning against the fence just sobbing. He told the Centurion who was here, `Thank you for bringing me back to my faith.'''

``It's going to be even more dramatic this year,'' the pageant producer said. ``We're adding two live thieves.''

Capitelli said most of the actors keep warm by wearing layers of clothing under their costumes, but because each actor in the crucifixion scene wears little more than a loincloth, he will rotate with other actors every 15 minutes to reduce exposure to the evening chill.

``Follow the Star'' will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for both walking and drive-through visitors.

Parking is available at the Soledad Entertainment Center across the street from the church at 27265 Luther Drive.

Those attending are asked to bring a donation of nonperishable food for the SCV Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also being accepted for family emergency needs - the money will be distributed locally through Lutheran Social Services.

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color in SAC edition only) Church volunteers put finishing touches on the Bethlehem set for ``Follow The Star,'' a living tableau that will open tonight.

(2 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) Ray Lundberg, left, and Merle De Martelaere work on a set for the nativity pageant at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer