MANILA -- MusicArtes's production of "Godspell" returns for a limited run.

First staged by MusicArtes last year, "Godspell" is a retelling of the Gospel with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwarz, the man behind "Wicked." The first act is a collection of entertaining, sometimes irreverent, interpretations of the parables, while the second gives way to the passion of the Christ, from Jesus's increasing clashes with the Pharisees, to the last supper and to His eventual death and resurrection.

(Read our review of the original production here.)

The cast is a bit different from the first run but still a veritable who’s-who of Philippine theater. Lorenz Martinez replaces Red Concepcion, who is preparing to play The Engineer in the UK tour of "Miss Saigon." Gab Pangilinan replaces Sheila Valderrama-Martinez and gets to sing the play’s iconic “Day by Day”. Multitalented actor-beatboxer and "Rak Of Aegis" musical director Myke Salomon capably replaces OJ Mariano juggling the role of John the Baptist and Judas.

An Anton Juan-directed play never fails to make its material relevant for modern times. During the performances of parables shunning greed and hate, the audience gets to see projections of fascism, human trafficking and US President Donald Trump in the background. This gave a looming dark side to this "Godspell" staging.

This production of "Godspell" is set in a slum area. At first glance, it’s easy to mistake the junk heaps for some sort of surreal aquarium because of its shimmering Day-Glo inspired lighting. The setting itself is clever as junk and trash are recycled to make spectacular props to make eye-popping scenes. The misery and ignorance often associated with slum dwellers are nowhere to be seen. Rather, slum dwellers wax philosophical about Socrates, Descartes and retell the parables in different ways.

Juan liberally scatters memorable moments throughout the production. There's Jef Flores channeling the gentle Christ during the parable segments, Maronne Cruz’s transformation from a ukulele playing hippie to a rocker chick in mere minutes, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo’s indie Mary Magdalene, the “All For The Best” vaudeville two-man comedy act, the Japanese retelling of the Prodigal Son, Caisa Borromeo's showgirls-inspired "Turn Back, O Man," and the post-intermission reprise of “Learn Your Lessons Well” where the entire cast can be seen playing a musical instrument. These are just some of the bits that made me go “awwww” while I watched "Godspell."

I thought that this production was a wonderful celebration of the Gospel. There is just so much joy in this production. And in the end, that is what worship is really all about.

“Godspell” runs until May 21 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Plaza, Makati. Evening shows at 8 p.m. on May 12, 13, 19, and 20, with 3 p.m. matinees on May 14, and 21.