Like a highly effective sermonizer, Godspell finds new ways to relate to an audience with the same story.

In the current spunky version that plays out with a splendidly voiced cast at the Walnut Street Theatre, Godspell is straightforward: a collection of parables and songs taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew and delivered by a ragtag assemblage on Todd Ivins' effective back-alley junkyard set. This Godspell celebrates the well-studied, dog-eared Bible, with a Jesus in jeans.

If you consider that the show began its long stage life 35 years ago as an Off-Broadway cluster of actor-clowns with a red heart on Jesus' face, a Superman shirt on his torso, and a war in Vietnam on his mind, Godspell has come far on its current journey to the Walnut, where it succeeds on charisma rather than caricature.

Godspell, at least this version, no longer plays under a patina of international conflict, although even a quick reading of this newspaper's front section confirms that it could. Over the years, the show, which calls itself a "feel-good musical," has shed its topcoat of topicality. It's become a sort of adjunct to general Bible study or a complement to values education - a fixture at churches and community theaters and high-school auditoriums.

That's one reason the Walnut's version, directed by Bruce Lumpkin and choreographed by Michelle Gaudette, is enticing: It's a highly professional re-creation that smoothly walks the line between finger-pointing theology and toe-tapping theatricality. This tense mix is the mark of a classy Godspell production. Let's face it: You're paying a lot more at the box office than you're expected to give weekly to the collection plate.

The Walnut revives the show with great coincidental timing. The Da Vinci Code swept into the nation's movie theaters this weekend with nippy reviews but hot controversy about Jesus and his relationship to Mary Magdalene. Plus, last month, the Gospel of Judas resurfaced after 1,700 years, and Christian scholars say it portrays Judas Iscariot not as Jesus' betrayer but as the favored disciple and willing collaborator.

You can't help thinking about that revelation when, in a post-Crucifixion scene at the Walnut (that scene itself is finely staged), Jesus comforts the disciples and Judas gets special attention. From the show's opening through Act 1's "Day by Day," which became an international chart hit, and through an Act 2 snowfall and the finale's "Beautiful City," this version of Godspell is as contemplative as it is, at times, high-strung.

The composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz - whose later works include Pippin and Wicked - updated the lyrics for Godspell years ago and gave his blessing to the Walnut for a newly conceived production. The Walnut ran with the ball - or in this case, the Bible - changing the order of some songs, calling on cast member Thom Culcasi to reorchestrate the show, and gently reimagining the concept. Six of the actors are also the orchestra, onstage and fully a part of the cast, which has grown from its usual 10 to 14.

Gone are the smart-mouth remarks in some versions; no one calls Jesus a spoilsport when he blocks the crowd from stoning the adulteress of the parable. (And speaking of "Day by Day," I can attest to the consistency of the performances; I missed an early curtain at Wednesday's opening, so I took in the second act and returned to the theater the next night.)

Michael Gruber makes an understanding, sometimes oddly smiling Jesus, and Jason Wooten's guitar-toting Judas is on point. The rest of the cast members, all using their own first names as characters, make a fine group of disciples, their voices so lustrous you could close your eyes and still see the show. But with this Godspell, you'll actually want them open the whole way through.


Godspell

Conceived by John-Michael Tebelak, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, directed by Bruce Lumpkin, choreographed by Michelle Gaudette, set by Todd Ivins, costumes by Colleen Grady, orchestration and musical/vocal direction by Thom Culcasi. Presented by the Walnut Street Theatre.

The cast: Michael Gruber (Jesus) Jason Wooten (Judas), Thom Culcasi, Allison Hilliard, Joshua Lamon, Marsha Lawson, Marcy McGuigan, Andre McRae, Michael Philip O'Brien, Spiff Wiegand, Katie O'Shaughnessey, Jenny Lee Ramos, Andrew Ross, Nikki Van Cassele.

Playing at: The Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., through July 9. Tickets: $10-$65. Information: 215-574-3550 or www.wstonline.org.