An Orem couple will play Joseph and Emma Smith in an LDS-Church-sponsored pageant this summer in Nauvoo, Ill.

This is not the first time Dallyn and Rachel Bayles have had parts in the same production. They were both in the LDS Church's "Savior of the World" and "Light of the World."

But the Nauvoo Pageant, which will run from July 8 to Aug. 5, will be the first time they have played opposite each other. They both said their marriage adds to their portrayal of the Smiths.

"There is a certain depth and chemistry," Dallyn Bayles said. "You're more comfortable and relaxed with each other onstage. I think since that was such a special part of Joseph and Emma's relationship, it's neat to already have that relationship."

The Bayleses don't exactly match up with the Smiths age-wise.

Rachel is 30 and Dallyn is 27, Dallyn said, about 10 years younger than Joseph and Emma when they were in Nauvoo.

But Emma was older than Joseph and Rachel is older than Dallyn, Rachel said.

David Warner, director of the Nauvoo Pageant, said he saw something special when the couple worked together.

"Watching them perform together, their work together reflects the relationship between Joseph and Emma," Warner said.

It seems fitting that they get to play a married couple; Dallyn was onstage in a BYU production when Rachel first saw him. She had a friend set her up on a date with Dallyn because she thought he was good-looking, Dallyn said.

"It was me that dropped the jaw when I saw her first (on the date)," Dallyn said. "From there on we dated and decided we should get married."

Dallyn graduated from BYU a year ago and has had parts in a "Les Miserables" musical, "Savior of the World," "Light of the World," a new movie about Joseph Smith, and other productions.

He and Rachel took their little girl with them in a mini van to travel all over the United States and Canada with "Les Miserables," Dallyn Bayles said. He also went to China and Korea with the musical, but the family stayed home because they didn't think it was safe.

Dallyn worked with David Warner when he did "Savior of the World" and "Light of the World," Dallyn said.

Warner's experience with Dallyn and the work Dallyn did as Hyrum Smith in the new movie about Joseph Smith made him the right choice for the part, Warner said. Dallyn was the only person who did not have to audition for a part in the Nauvoo Pageant.

"Dallyn is a sensitive person that is very committed to reflecting the truth Joseph Smith taught," Warner said. "As far as working with him as an actor, he is willing to take direction and at the same time bring his own superb ides to the part."

Rachel is not a professional actor like Dallyn; she majored in illustration. But theater is not foreign to his wife, Dallyn said.

She was in the chorus for "Savior of the World," Rachel said, and she "got to sneak onstage a couple times" for "Light of the World."

Rachel was surprised to receive an invitation to come to a workshop for the Nauvoo Pageant, she said. She didn't know why she was invited until she got to the workshop where she read the part of Emma Smith, and she got the part.

"Since taking on the role of Emma, I've been impressed to not only learn the general terms of the character," Rachel said, "but specific stories: instances where she showed charity in remarkable ways."

The pageant is not only about Emma and Joseph. It also has other well-known citizens of Nauvoo in it like Parley P. Pratt, Eliza R. Snow, John Taylor and others.

"For the most part the dialogue that is spoken is their real words," Dallyn Bayles said.

It covers the years from 1839 to 1846, Dallyn said, from when the Saints came to a swamp land to when Brigham Young left and all the major events in between.

A new outdoor venue in Nauvoo has been constructed for the pageant that can seat 8,000, Warner said. During the four weeks of performing, 2,500 people are expected to attend a night. Admittance is free.

The venue is southwest of Nauvoo, and the Nauvoo Temple can be seen by the audience in the background during the pageant.

This story appeared in North County on page A1.