Combine elements of Hair, Cats, Rent and Jesus Christ Superstar in one really big show.

Add a multi-talented cast and a magnificent set.

What you get, more or less, is Godspell, the appealing revival of the 1970 musical now onstage at Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre.

A rocking, rolling retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, Godspell is a period piece with terrific legs. The story, after all, is among the greatest ever told and the music by Stephen Schwartz (who went on to write Pippin and Wicked among others) is a savvy blend of American popular music styles, from Tin Pan Alley to gospel, from funk to folk to rock.

We meet Jesus (the smooth Michael Gruber) and his ragamuffin, modern-day band of apostles living in a spectacular shantytown beneath the Ben Franklin Bridge.

They include Jenny (the sensational Jenny Lee Ramos), Michael (Michael Philip O'Brien, he of the glorious tenor) and Marsha (Marsha Lawson, in a soulful and witty performance). And, of course, there's Judas (rock guitar-god Jason Wooten), ready, if not eager, to do what he must.

Since everyone knows the story, let's talk about the music. It's lively, if somewhat lyrically monotonous (drawn largely from the Episcopal Hymnal), and it's performed with infectious energy and over-the-top volume. The performers rarely and barely pause for breath before launching into another ecstatic explosion of intricately choreographed praise and worship.

Unfortunately, there's a shrillness to some of the big ensemble numbers such as "Bless the Lord," especially in the first half. The frenzy of voices, movement and music onstage (many of the performers double as musicians) seems too strenuous to be joyful.

But many of the quieter songs, including "All Good Gifts" and "By My Side," are lovely, helping smooth the show's preachy edges. And the crucifixion-resurrection tableaux have an almost primal power.

Meanwhile, Bruce Lumpkin's expert direction keeps the show's multitude of moving parts humming in sync. And Todd Edward Ivins' set is something to behold.