Sydney - It's Alfio Stuto's first big theatrical role and he's understandably nervous about playing Jesus in a re-enactment of Christ's final hours, before a live hometown audience of 225,000 that includes the pope, 26 cardinals and 4,000 priests. "Being on that cross is quite challenging," the handsome 27-year-old Sydney student told national broadcaster ABC on Friday. "When I was first up there during rehearsals my first feeling was I'm not worthy to be up here."
Stuto didn't specifically audition for the starring role in the Stations of the Cross, part of the week-long World Youth Day celebrations in Australia's biggest city that culminate in a papal Mass for up to 500,000 on Sunday.
"I didn't have anything in mind at all but towards the end I got the hint that they were thinking of something quite big and, wow, I was just paralyzed," he said. "I could have hugged a couch or a wardrobe or something."
Stuto, whose Catholic faith and clean-living record helped him score the leading role, has been in training for the physical and mental demands of his pretend crucifixion.
Against the wishes of his wife, he's also had to grow a beard in time for Friday's major production.
