Students of Christ the King Catholic Student Center performed the annual Passion Play Tuesday night, fulfilling the audience of about 65 people with a greater appreciation and understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made for Christians just in time for Easter.James “Trey” Metrejean III played Jesus Christ, and amid the harsh whipping, the carrying of the cross and finally, the crucifixion, Metrejean may have suffered a little himself.”We think our Jesus broke his toe,” said Jamie Felarise, co-director and history senior. The Passion Play begins with Jesus’ conception and follows his life until the end. The Passion refers to Jesus’ final hours of suffering before, during and after his crucifixion. John David Matherne, electrical engineering sophomore who played a roman soldier in the play, said that during the scene where the soldiers torture Jesus, they may have accidentally hit him with the whip a few times.It was also during that scene that audience members with young children had to leave because of the raw brutality of The Passion, including the fine details of Jesus’ bloody wounds, a crown of thorns and a giant cross on which Jesus hung. “I come every year. It’s very inspiring,” said Matthew Breaux, accounting graduate student. “It’s great to remember the season. It’s a good time for reflection — a time to refocus and to prepare for Easter and Holy Week.”Felarise and fellow director, Jade Funck, kinesiology junior, were chosen to direct the Passion Play this year, and their style of auditioning is nothing of the ordinary.”There are no auditions,” Funck said. “We mostly pray about it and ask people who would be interested in it. That’s how we decide. We don’t turn anyone away from participating in it.”The cast this year included 56 students, three vocalists, three musicians, a lighting technician and three costume designers. Felarise and Funck have worked on the play since Halloween, and rehearsals began in January.”It went very well, better than we ever expected,” said Funck. “I didn’t think I could do it at first, but as practice when on, everything came together. We’ve formed stronger friendships and bonds through this experience.”Amy Soileau, Christ the King director of stewardship and development, said the Passion Play has been a Christ the King tradition for at least seven years.”LSU has nearly 10,000 self-identified Catholic students,” Soileau said. “Right now, we’re in the season of Lent, the 40 days of preparation before Easter. For Catholics, this is a time for fasting, prayer and giving.” The last performance of Christ the King’s Passion Play is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Catholic Student Center.- – – -Contact Mary Walker Baus at [email protected]