The Victor and the Foe
Feature: December 2001 - January 2002
By Arline Chandler

Since the measurement of time, an intense battle between good and evil has splintered God’s intended harmony of the universe. According to the Bible, Satan, the spoiler in cosmic order, prowls the earth like a lion seeking his prey. Christians believe that Jesus Christ alone rebukes the master of deception and will one day claim ultimate victory. But until then, the world’s most profound battle between the Victor and the Foe reverberates across every page of history.
On stage at The Promise Theater, Randy Brooks portrays scenes from the life of Jesus Christ from His birth to His ascension to heaven. Unveiling his interpretation of Satan, Russell Rowe cunningly stalks Jesus, skulking behind stone walls and draping himself over tree limbs. Swirling a showy red cape and cackling an evil laugh, the Tempter plots his devious schemes.THE VICTOR

Randy Brooks has prepared since childhood to portray the role of Jesus Christ. “As a boy, I sang gospel music with my family,” says the man who plays the lead in The Promise.” I’ve been singing and telling the same story in different venues, productions and forms for all of my life.”
When Randy first read the script for The Promise, he knew he wanted to be a part of the musical drama. With an obvious lack of dogma, the story line went straight to the heart of Jesus’ word and message.
“Some people claim it’s a calling; some say it’s destiny; others describe it as a fate,” he continues. “I happen to believe that God designed me for this ministry.”
“My purpose is to reach as many people as I can with the message of Jesus,” he says. “In The Promise, I recognized a vehicle to convey to others my conviction that a victorious life is possible through a belief in Jesus and His teachings.”However, Randy states that in performing the character of Jesus, he has received greater benefits than his audiences.
“I continuously read and research the life of Christ,” he goes on. “The more I learn, the more there is to know.”
The veteran performer explains that early in the summer of 1989, he was cast as Jesus in the outdoor musical version of The Promise, which first premiered at the Texas Amphitheater in Glen Rose, Texas. At that time, Michael Meece, the director, who is credited with breathing life into the timeless story, revealed to Randy the iceberg method of acting.
“In essence, he told me that audiences will see the tip of the iceberg, but underneath, I need this vast amount of knowledge to inspire me to depict whatever people see in the tip,” Randy explains. “I continually try to build my iceberg so there’s more depth in the character and more understanding that I can relate to the audience.”In a quest to deepen his knowledge and understanding of Jesus, Randy traveled in June 2001 to Israel. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Holy Land, then come back and perform The Promise,” he says. “That dream came true.
“In my spirit, I live the scenes where Jesus met disciples, performed miracles, walked on water and taught multitudes,” he says. “By experiencing the energy of where He walked, I believe I can bring to the role a glimpse of what He endured. Through my representation of Jesus and His message, I trust that I give audiences hope, understanding and faith.”
Following the footsteps of Jesus into baptism in the Jordan River in Israel was a mountain top experience for Randy. The sensitive singer/actor admitted to his mom, who lives with Randy and their extended family in Branson, that he encountered an emotional high throughout the trip.
Playing the role of Jesus takes over Randy’s entire life, “To me, the word ‘Christian’ is more a verb than a noun,” he says. “Being a Christian means being Christ-like. The more I read in the Bible and understand about Him, the better I can apply the principles that I’m delineating on-stage. In that sense of the word, the role has taken over my life.


“On the other side of the coin, I feel accountable to the city of Branson,” he continues. “Due to the character I present, even though we are a secular theater and a secular company, I know I’m watched with a little more scrutiny than most performers in town. To that, I say that I am human and I will fail. I ask my fellow entertainers and audiences to judge not the messenger, but to listen to the message.”


With a laugh and merriment in his clear blue eyes, he admits that his family would shout a resounding ‘yes’ that he does go home and act as the very human Randy Brooks.
“I certainly don’t want to downplay the character of Jesus because playing that part is very serious to me. But there’s a lot of me on the stage,” he goes on.
He continues to say that when the producers sought an actor and singer to play the role, they had in mind a certain look, a certain non-operatic vocal quality and particular mannerisms. They believed that Jesus had lighter hair and blue eyes, uncharacteristic for the average Jewish man. In Randy Brooks, they saw facial expressions, body language and hand gestures that fit their concept of God’s Son.
He wears no tattoos. His lithe, yet muscular frame bears no scars or marks. He has little body hair. His smile is sincere and his compassionate eyes look straight into the depths of another’s soul.
“Certainly, I’ve thought through every minuscule movement because I do not want to make Jesus appear anything less than perfect,” Randy says. “I’m disturbed when I make a mistake, such as a stumble on stage.
“I know that Jesus was human,” he continues. “But at the front of the show, people are deciding whether they like me playing Jesus. I can sense their questions and comments: ‘Is that guy acting as I think Jesus did? His hair is a little too blond. Why is he smiling? Did he get all the way in the water when he was baptized? I don’t know if he talks like Jesus.’
“The first twenty minutes of the production is taxing in that sense,” he says. “No matter how I perform to the best of my ability, there’s no way I can play this role without a supernatural power that takes charge.
“I believe that’s when a majority of the audience loses sight of Randy Brooks and starts listening to the message,” he claims. “The power of The Promise takes over. People crave to come back and experience it again and again.”
After thirteen years and some three thousand performances, the role of Jesus remains fresh and vibrant for Randy.
“I cannot wait to put on the make-up, pull that robe over my head and get on stage,” he says. “It’s more than a job and a paycheck. It’s what I live to do each day. I pray that I affect someone positively during every show.”

THE FOE

Russell Rowe states, “It’s rather weird to claim that it’s my calling in life to ‘play the Devil!’ But I believe it. Satan is the greatest part I’ve ever played.”
Russell started preparation for life as an actor in high school. He performed in dramas, and majored in theater at college. For several years, he worked professionally in Dallas and Tulsa.
However, his dream of Broadway lights flickered and dimmed. Following graduation from Dallas Baptist University, Russell applied and received acceptance to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
While acting in Dallas, theater lifestyle left a bad taste. For two years, he shelved his dream and stayed away from the stage. He married, started a family and worked a nine-to-five job. But he missed stepping inside the heads of different characters.
Cornerstone Theater in Fort Worth, Texas, asked Russell to perform in a Christian drama. The role ferried him back into the acting career that he loved.
From that experience, he auditioned for The Promise, his first full-time acting job. At the time, he had no hint that the portrayal of Satan in the gospel story would measure up to the expectations he had sought in his acting career.
“I didn’t make it to Broadway, or even New York,” he says, “but my life has been more enriched from being here in Branson than it ever could have been from acting in a Broadway play.”
Indeed, the young actor credits his move to Southwest Missouri with changing his life. Now living in Springfield with his wife and two sons, Chandler and Carter, Russell combines nighttime acting with a daytime sales career. Two older children, Tyler and Mariah, live in Texas.
“All those years of experience, both good and bad, led me to this particular part,” he continues. “I feel blessed that the director freed me to create certain facets of the scenes and Satan’s personality.”

On-stage, certain chemistry between Russell’s portrayal of Satan as a spirit and Randy’s dramatization of Jesus in the flesh sparks the tension of the play. In the beginning, Russell says, the cast and director considered that their audiences might misinterpret Satanís constant presence onstage as glorification.
“In my characterization, Satan’s presence is evident in Randy’s facial expressions or reactions,” he explains. “Although the two characters are complete opposites in conflict, I try to not allow Satan to take away from the message of the drama.
“The performance is powerful,” Russell continues. “Obviously, Randy’s presentation is powerful. But following the temptation scene, which depicts the power of Christ over Satan; audiences take away the message that Satan is constantly a presence in their lives, as well.
“Really, no one knows what Satan looks like,” he says. “We wanted him to appear different from every other character onstage. The costume, obviously, is much different with sequins and glitter and bright colors. With the make-up, we made him ugly, yet eye-catching and provocative. The cape is an extension of me, whirling around for dramatic effect.
“Many people believe that Satan is a beautiful creature,” he continues, “but his beauty is a deception.
“We wanted to portray him as Christ sees him—sneaky, slithery, evil,” Russell explains. “Christ sees Satan for his ugly spirit. That’s the message we want to get across.”
With make-up, Russell’s face is shaped at the cheekbones to make him look skeletal; almost dead. The white face contrasts his bright red costume and glittery cape.
“My job is to be subtle, yet obvious,” he says. “With that make-up and costume, it’s difficult. The idea is to bring attention to my character when it’s necessary, but for the most part, just hide in the shadows. It’s a tough role.”Throughout the production, Satan steals from scene to scene, lurking in corners and slinking through crowds. Oblivious that he will ultimately be defeated, the Deceiver laughs and gloats over the beatings, humiliations and betrayals of Jesus. At the crucifixion, Satan cheers over his perception of a personal victory. In the following scenes, the Foe grasps that Jesus’ death on the cross fulfills God’s plan of redemption.

Russell couples his rendering of Satan to an analogy in human, visual terms. “During The Promise, the brightest lights are on Jesus, who is the focus of the play,” he says. “Ideally, a Christian focuses on Jesus.
“But every once in awhile, Satan sparkles in the corners of the stage, just like he flashes in the shadows of life,” he goes on. “The Christian’s attention waivers, but ultimately the power of Christ draws him back.”
Russell is often asked: ‘As a Christian, is it difficult to portray Satan?’
He always answers, “If I were not a Christian, I don’t think I could play the part of Satan as effectively. In my opinion, a non-Christian would not know who Satan is, although he’s a big part of their lives. Non-Christians don’t perceive how he negatively affects them.
“On the other hand, a Christian recognizes Satan’s constant bombardment with temptation,” he continues. “I don’t want to self-righteously come across, but as a Christian, I know what a defeating impact Satan has on my life. In my opinion, Christians alone see this. If a person knows Christ, he knows Satan. Because I experience his wiles, it’s easier to play the role.”
Russell evades getting into character for the role of Satan up until the time he goes on stage. Interacting with others in his dressing room just before curtain call, he stretches in preparation for a physical performance that calls for running, leaping and falling.
“Right before my cue for the temptation scene, I turn the switch on, the music hits, and I’m there—serious, intense and focused,” he says, noting that the two-hour performance is draining mentally and physically. “If I try to psyche myself up too early, I’m finished before I start!
“When I focus on Randy in the scene, I have whatever it takes to make Satan come to life,” the committed actor continues. “So far, it has worked to the point that people really dislike me. Many do it in jest. But there have been those who disliked me as a person because I play Satan. When I go out to the lobby to meet the audience, there are those who do not want to come near me.”
Russell takes their behavior as a compliment. “Whatever I’m doing—and I’m doing it with God’s power—He will help me deliver the message in whatever way I can,” he says. “People are seeing what they need to see.”
However, Russell gets out of character as soon as he goes off stage. Before curtain call, he takes off his make-up and joins the entire cast to sing the final tribute.
“I don’t want to carry the image of Satan around with me,” he adds.
For a long time, Russell read and studied in depth for the role of Satan. The Bible remains his greatest source of inspiration.
“After six years, I’m at a point where the role is what it’s going to be,” he says. “Yet, I want to be a creative actor.”
To contrast the ugly, nasty, gravelly-voiced Satan, Russell plays one of the eccentric old Wise Men in Two From Galilee, The Promise Theater’s matinee performance for the Christmas season.
Russell describes the small role of Kaspar, the older astronomer whose scrolls continuously falls off the table, as comical and loved by audiences.
“No one ever recognizes me,” he adds. “No one realizes that Satan is playing a Wise Man. But it allows me to be light and funny.”
In the past two years, Russell has had opportunities to play other characters. Yet, he chooses to put on the face of an evil creature every night.
“For eighteen years, I’ve worked with hundreds of actors and directors. Never have I been associated with more talented people or a greater theater company,” he says.
“But the quality of the drama goes beyond the talent and ability of the cast,” he goes on. “A power, which I call God, takes over the production and touches lives. I want to be a part of that, not as an individual, but as a component of the entire picture. I’m blessed to perform in a drama with such a mighty message."  BR

Temptation

Randy Brooks as Jesus

Russels Rowe as The Devil