Contact: Janice Gonzalez, Media Relations, Saint Luke Productions, 360-487-9979, pr@stlukeproductions.com
VANCOUVER, Wash., Jan. 16, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- She was living in New York on 9/11/2001, pursuing a career in musical theatre. After experiencing the horror of the fateful terrorist attack, she decided to head west to follow her dreams. Maria Vargo ended up in Hollywood, playing roles in secular theater, television and films. Then she had a deep spiritual conversion.
He was a New Yorker, an artist, a musician and an actor, who also headed to Los Angeles to make a career in film. There he's had roles as a cop, lawyer, an assassin, and even an alien. And through it all, Jonathan Roumie stayed connected to his Catholic faith.
Both Vargo and Roumie are professionals. Both are now giving something back, in spite of the powerful allure of making it big in fame and fortune. They're breaking the mold, using their talents to share the faith in Saint Luke Productions' latest release, "Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy," a new live theatrical production with a serious and urgent message for our troubled times.
Now, audiences witnessing this production are weeping, souls are touched, hearts are moved, people are saying that they have hope, often for the first time.
All of this, because two actors said 'yes' to a call to do something beautiful for God.
On a national tour that brings this riveting multimedia production to Los Angeles next week, "Faustina" has already been seen by ten thousand people. The play tells the story of Saint Faustina (1905-1938), a Polish mystic whose personal encounters with Jesus have inspired a world-wide zeal for Christ's Divine Mercy.
But there's something else in this play -- a parallel present-day story of a modern woman and a dying man who face the issues that no one can escape -- sin and suffering. It's a brilliant connection that makes Divine Mercy relevant for every audience member.
That's evidenced in what one audience member in California said about the show: "I felt as if the actress in describing herself in her high school and college years was telling my life story. Bravo! Bravo!! I highly recommend this to anyone alive today!!"
The actors themselves have found the experience life-changing.
"Every night I perform I have the opportunity to experience God's mercy through the characters I portray. Each time it feels as though Jesus is speaking right to my heart," says Maria Vargo, who plays both Faustina and the modern woman.
Jonathan Roumie considers it a personal and professional milestone to play the role of Jesus Christ: "I've dreamed of doing so since first seeing the NBC mini-series, Jesus of Nazareth, as a child. I am at once humbled and honored and as a result of this experience to be a part of the 'Faustina' production and it has drawn me deeper into my faith."
Leonardo Defilippis, well-known for his live and film productions on the scriptures and the saints, particularly the feature film "Thérèse" (2004), is the producer of "Faustina." "I am amazed at what God has done, by bringing us these talented faith-filled professionals to play these crucial roles," he says. "It has been a journey of trust to produce this drama, and by God's Grace, we've achieved something really entertaining and personally convicting."
"Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy" is currently on a U.S. tour, with upcoming performances next week in Santa Monica, Carson and Beverly Hills, California.
View the drama trailer at www.DivineMercyDrama.com or call 360-687-8029 for information and to learn more about hosting a performance on the nationwide tour.
Interview availability includes:
- Maria Vargo, Lead Actress
- Jonathan Roumie, Lead Film Actor
- Leonardo Defilippis, Producer and Founder of Saint Luke Productions
Interview contact: Janice Gonzalez, Media Relations for Saint Luke Productions, 360-487-9979; pr@stlukeproductions.com
