ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 1997 TAG: 9703050081
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEWARK, N.J.
SOURCE: DAVID WILKISON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Desi Arnaz Giles says he's starring in the role of his life, but the black actor's portrayal of Jesus Christ comes at the expense of ticket cancellations and death threats.
``I have led a very complete life,'' Giles said Tuesday. ``Should somebody clip me during a performance, don't cry for me; just rejoice because I'm ready to go home.''
The controversy began Sunday following his first performance in the Park Theater Performing Arts Center's annual production of the ``Passion Play,'' which focuses on the last days of Jesus' life.
The popular play attracts bus groups from the region, and word spread quickly that a black man was sharing the role with a white actor at the Union City theater.
``The first call that I got, the woman asked me, `When is the white actor playing, because I don't want to see the black thing,''' said artistic director Eric Hafen, who cast Giles in the role.
``I was expecting calls but not that kind of blatant racism,'' he said.
Officials have not taken the death threats seriously, but they are troubled the casting has evoked such a response. At least two groups have canceled and another rescheduled for a day Giles is not working.
Hafen, who cast Giles as Herod last year and made him the understudy for the Jesus role, said he chose him this year because of his ``humanistic approach.''
As it happens, Giles is portraying the devil this weekend in a musical in Plainfield. ``We'll see how many people object to a black man playing him,'' he said.
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Desi Arnaz Giles says if somebody wants to ``clip''by CNBhim, he's ready to go. His portrayal of Jesus in a Passion Play has
sparked death threats and ticket cancellations in Union City, N.J.
color.