Direct from a Texas arena, 140 actors and 20 camels, doves and other animals are returning to Moscow to show Russian audiences a million-dollar musical extravaganza on the life of Christ.


"The Promise," which according to the show's program began with "a dream of introducing a loving, laughing, approachable Jesus to the world in a casual, outdoor environment," will give its second round of guest performances at the Kremlin Palace from Nov. 18 to 22.


The show's creators say that because he not only laughs and loves but also sings and dances, their Jesus heralds a breakthrough for the Russian people.


"Because of Russian Orthodoxy they've seen icons for all these years but never anything live that looked like living icons," said executive producer David Humphrey. "That's what we want to show: Jesus isn't a painted picture but someone that once lived."


Nonetheless, Humphrey said the production's message is the same for everyone, regardless of nationality. In Russia, just as in the United States, "The Promise" is on a mission to spread the word of God.


"It's the same message that we were giving Americans," Humphrey said. "We're not putting it down their throats here any more than we are there. It's just a presentation of the Gospel, no different here than in America."


At the same time he insisted that bringing "The Promise" to Moscow would not only present the Gospel to Russians in a new light but also would spread peace and love among nations.


"The earth is kind of like a spaceship; we're all traveling on it. Since we're on it and there's nowhere to get off, we have to live in harmony -- and I think God has given us the ability to do that."


"The Promise" depicts Christ's life through the eyes of little Billy and Lisa, whose imaginations take them from modern-day Texas to first-century Jerusalem as their grandfather tells them the story.


The children then see Christ's life unfold before them, from his birth to his ascension.


Whether or not "The Promise" will present a revolutionary picture of Jesus, as Humphrey claims, its sheer scale makes it a distant cry from any ordinary passion play. Its makers are eager to emphasize that a Christian production such as theirs can have can have as much glitter and polish as anything secular.


"If you're going to do something, you have to do it the very best and most professional you can," Humphrey said. "I don't want bathrobes and wooden benches and a carved-out stage."


To Humphrey and his team, professionalism and size seem to go hand in hand. Home to "The Promise" is the $4.5 million Texas Amphitheater, which seats 3,200 people. It includes a moat, a six-story archway and a stage of 6,500 square feet. Having signed a 15-year lease before it was even built, the makers of "The Promise" played a key role in designing the complex, so that it would be virtually tailor-made for their production.


But however different a venue, performances of "The Promise" in the Kremlin were just as successful when the show premiered there in March 1993, Humphrey said, reporting that the 22 performances had audiences of about 4,000 per night.


Even though "The Promise" is still not making a profit, its makers have ambitious plans for the future. "The Sons of Thunder" (on the Acts of the Apostles) is next on the list of future productions, followed by "The Adventures of Paul" and "The Final Revelation."


"By the year 2000 you'll be able to see the entire New Testament on stage," Humphrey said.


"The Promise" will be performed at the Kremlin Palace November 18-22 at 7 P.M., with matinees November 19 and 20 at noon. Tel 917 -2336. Private American sponsors have donated a number of tickets for free distribution through Russian churches. The rest are on sale for 3,000 to 15,000 rubles at the Kremlin Palace box office and at Moscow ticket kiosks.