By Joseph McDonough
Enquirer contributor

Let's deal with the so-called controversy first.

Some out-of-state organizations are leading a protest of the Know Theatre Tribe's current production of Terrence McNally's 1998 play Corpus Christi, as well as productions of the play at other theaters around the country.

The major complaints seem to be that Corpus Christi portrays Jesus and his apostles as gay and that the play mocks Christianity.

But these stones are being cast by people who must not have seen the play. Corpus Christi does not depict the historical Jesus at all. The play is instead a modern parable and a challenging but ultimately serious and reverent work.

It is a "what if" contemporary retelling of the biblical story.

What if a messiah (in this case Joshua, played by a terrifically sincere Rob Jansen) appeared in Corpus Christi, Texas, in the 1950s as Jesus did in Palestine 2000 years ago? And what if Joshua was gay? What kind of intolerance would he have faced? What would Joshua's teachings be?

Instead of mocking Christianity, McNally preaches the same gospel of peace on earth, faith in God, redemption for all, and the divinity of the human messiah - although in a decidedly nontraditional light.

The play uses frank language and pop culture humor in places, but aside from the gay perspective, it is not dissimilar in approach to Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, medieval passion plays, or other updated biblical treatments.

Where were these protestors when Superstar played the Aronoff Center for the umpteenth time in February?

Director Michael Burnham does a splendid job with his young cast of 13. They all give vivid performances and are a hard-working bunch.

They use every inch of the converted theater in Gabriel's Corner. They fly through the aisles and from scene to scene at a breakneck pace - no small feat in a non-stop hour-and-forty-minute play in a room with no air-conditioning.

It's hard to pick standouts among the ensemble of apostles, but Chris Guthrie, Darryl Hilton, Ghillian Porter, Matthew A. Pyle, and Jim Stump are always watchable as they portray a variety of characters of both sexes.

Corpus Christi is not for everyone. This is a parable some might rather not experience.

But those open to it will find that the play might not take the usual straight and narrow path, but it does lead to that most Christian of virtues: loving thy neighbor.

Now there's a controversial idea.

Corpus Christi, though June 28, Know Theatre Tribe, Gabriel's Corner, (513) 300-5669.