A post-Katrina ‘Godspell’

The first impression of “Godspell” at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse comes from designer Christopher Beyries’ remarkable set of wreckage-strewn Louisiana facades, with palmetto leaves at ominous angles in the latticework. Sound designers John Feinstein and Erik Bleuer flood the auditorium with hurricane noises, sirens, newscasts. Lighting designer Michael Tushaus supplies the first of many coups, all strobes and flashing reds. It’s New Orleans the day after Katrina. A final voice-over states, “Nobody is coming.”

Maybe not, but Somebody is. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord,” sings grunge-clad Judas (Matthew Koehler) from the aisle. Aided by conductor Jeffrey Rockwell’s chugging combo, the dazed survivors onstage join his refrain, augmenting John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz’s adaptation of the Gospel of Matthew with “American Idol”-style power vocals.

As Koehler (in his John the Baptist persona) douses them with glitter, a smiling collegiate type descends from a balcony. Jesus (Elijah Reyes) launches “God Save the People” to hug-filled reactions and more “Idol” context: One girl has Ashley Ferl-worthy emotion, a lawyer snaps a cellphone photo of himself with the Messiah, and so forth.

The enduring appeal of “Godspell” derives from Tebelak’s improvisational approach to the parables and the festive pull of Schwartz’s pop-rock score, whose lyrics are mostly drawn from the Episcopal hymnal. However, though director Stephanie A. Coltrin keeps things moving, and musical director Steven Smith gets thundering harmonies from the talented cast, the head-miked results in this “Godspell” are less than consistently buoyant.

One problem is that the midsize venue has a broad sweep that keeps things mainly stage-bound. The shtick and Karen Nowicki’s choreography register as polished but rarely spontaneous. Certainly, big-voiced Jessica Gisin-Mosley brings Broadway-ready sounds to “Day by Day,” and the revised “Bless the Lord” exploits Lateefah DeVoe’s rich belting and Anne Fraser Thomas’ stratospheric high notes. Yet the overall feeling, given the plethora of flippant topical digs, is hardly innocent.

Without the “Tower of Babble” prologue, there is little to establish any contrast between New Orleans archetypes and playful disciples. The scattered FEMA references and a recovery-minded “Beautiful City” seem more decorative gimmicks than moving statements.

When the golden-throated Ken Robinson sends “All Good Gifts” soaring without affectation, it’s instantly clear what’s missing elsewhere, though his colleagues -- including Ted Escobar, Marianna Frendo, Chuck Pelletier, Aileen Marie Scott, Robert Steinmiller and Lola Ward -- are tireless.

Fans of the property will flock to this ambitious revival. To feel its communal intent requires a major leap of faith.

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‘Godspell’

Where: Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Pier Avenue at Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach

When: 8 p.m. today through Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday

Ends: Sunday

Price: $35 to $45

Contact: (310) 371-4477 or www.hermosabeachplayhouse.com

Running time: 2 hours