ZELIENOPLE — When Calvin Presbyterian Church decided to perform "Godspell" this spring, some cast members had no trouble memorizing lines.

The church's adult drama ministry performed the musical in 1994, 1995 and 1996, and the youth group presented it in 2002, said Toni Schlemmer, the show's director.

There are 14 people in the cast, and nine of them were in their roles before.

"We have a few of the usual suspects," said Schlemmer. "But there are some new faces."

Along with new faces are new parts of the script. The show is sprinkled with pop culture references, which have obviously changed since 1996.

The church has two groups — one for youth and one for adults — that put on shows each year. The youths put on a fall show, and the adults present a musical in the spring.

In the past, both groups have done other faith-oriented shows, such as "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Children of Eden" and "Jesus Christ Superstar." The only show they have done as much as "Godspell" was "Dreamcoat."

"Godspell" is a musical based on the Gospel of Matthew. A group of people meet Jesus, who teaches them through song and parables.

"It's a show that gives us the experience of acting out scripture," said Schlemmer, who directed the show the previous three times and has been a member of the church for almost 20 years.

She said the show's audience connects to the show easily.

"They can see a gospel acted out. They get involved," Schlemmer said.

One of the most enjoyable and most challenging parts of the musical is its flexibility, she said. The show is updated and changed for today's audiences.

The original script sets the show in a junkyard, where the group dresses up as clowns. This year, Schlemmer is setting the show in a book store coffee shop, a place Schlemmer sees as a gathering place in 2006.

"We chose this venue as somewhere people would come in and could listen to someone," she said. "We update some of the references, obviously some things that were contemporary in the 1970s need updating.

"Even references in the mid-90s need changed."

Another challenge, she said, was making sure the actors who have done the show so many times find ways to keep the roles fresh.

Although each year the adults do a musical in the spring, the show is not connected to Easter or other church celebrations, Schlemmer said.

The show's music is performed by five musicians, including the music director, Bruce Smith. He has been music director at the church since 1982 and is also the youth director.

"We find that this show has an audience anywhere it goes," said Smith, noting the show is not just for churchgoers.

His band features himself, an adult and three high school students. They play two keyboards, a drum, a bass and a guitar.

The band gets into the ever-changing nature of the show, underscoring the show with Beatles tunes and other pop culture references when they appear on stage.

"We're having a lot of fun with it," said Smith.

He met with each of the musicians individually, had one group rehearsal, then joined the cast in technical rehearsals.

Smith said the show is a good fit for the group.

"Every musical that focuses on biblical stories looks at different things," said Smith. "As (the show's composer) Stephen Schwartz says on his Web site, Godspell is about community."

"Godspell" continues this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople. Suggested donation is $5.