GODSPELL, Grand Theatre, Salt Lake Community College South City campus, through March 26 (957-3322). Running time: two hours, 10 minutes (one intermission).

For those who may have missed out on the hippie culture of the late 1960s and '70s, John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz's "Godspell" resonates with that less-than-mainstream approach.

Now, nearly 35 years later, the Grand Theatre is staging "Godspell" — and Anne Stewart Mark proves that she is just as skilled a director as she is as an actress. Instead of delivering a "Godspell" that is simply a dated throwback to the counter-culture era the musical initially reflected, Mark has given it a smart, contemporary edge.

This production is set under a freeway ramp in the midst of a junk-strewn camp occupied by outcasts who are homeless, lonely, dispossessed and hungry. They're not unlike those with whom Jesus Christ mingled more than 2,000 years ago.

As with "Jesus Christ, Superstar," "Godspell" places familiar biblical accounts and parables in a rock-musical setting — but "Godspell" is much less irreverent while still being gently playful.

"Godspell" is a highly abbreviated version of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, squeezing Christ's mission and crucifixion into slightly more than two hours. It also carries a strong message of tolerance, forgiveness and unconditional Christ-like love.

Mark has a strong ensemble packed with talent and boundless energy.

Jesse Dornan and R. Jacob Miskimins play specific characters — Dornan portrays Jesus Christ as a compassionate but strong counselor, and Miskimins plays both John the Baptist and Judas.

The other eight members of the cast go by their own first names but play a variety of biblical characters as well — the prodigal son, sheep being separated from goats, and others.

Among the standouts are Breezy Bassett in the show's signature hit "Day by Day," Karli Martin in the soulful "Learn Your Lessons Well" (a duet with Jesus), Shawn Maxfield's "We Beseech Thee" and Valerie Hill vamping her way through "Turn Back, O Man. Others in the cast are Lindsay Spring Browning, Phaidra Donaldson, Jeffrey Randall and Rock H. White.

Penelope Marantz's choreography keeps things clipping right along, and Keven Myhre's set fills the stage with a collection of junk that would do "Cats" proud.

Kevin Mathie's five-piece rock band, featuring David Evanoff on drums, backs up the action from behind a chain-link fence, directly under the freeway ramp. And, in an auditorium frequently fraught with sound problems, designer James Mayo delivers sound that is nearly crystal clear.

Sensitivity rating: Some folks may not be pleased with the way the baptisms are depicted — everyone being sprayed with a squirt gun — but "Godspell" is a genuine celebration of diversity and Christ's ministry.

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