Coming: A Rock Musical of Biblical Proportions

Through Feb. 6, $15-$27, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.

by Josh Middleton

If you're a Bible thumper, you know that the Book of Revelation loosely describes the Antichrist as one who'll pop on the scene, sway us with an ass-ton of charisma, and then suck us into the craters of hell for eternity — so chances are high it's going to be one of those cutesy American Idol kids.

At least that's how local gay actor and playwright Erik Ransom saw it when he first sat down to write his modern-day interpretation of the end times. Five days later, he emerged with Coming: A Rock Musical of Biblical Proportions, an over-the-top spectacle that not only tinkers with ideas about the end of the world — a theory he outwardly professes is bullshit — but also deals with meatier, real-life subject matter like gay rights, terrorism and the ongoing "homosexuality as vice vs. normalcy as righteousness" battle that exists between religious and secular communities.

Ransom — who recently played the title role in Brat Productions' Carrie — portrays the Antichrist Damian Salt, a glammed-out rock star who falls in love with "American Icon" sensation and, coincidentally, Christ-incarnate Joshua Crenshaw, played by the fresh-faced Adam Hostler. What ensues, Ransom says, is a "high camp meets allegory" epic featuring a cast full of 'mos, outlandish Lady Gaga-inspired costumes and 16 self-penned ditties that evoke David Bowie circa Labyrinth.

The production is directed by the Traverse Arts Project's Mark Dahl and Bill Egan, and marks the budding queer-focused theater company's first production to be eligible for a Barrymore Award. Good luck, ladies!

Through Feb. 6, $15-$27, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 800-555-4849, traversetheater.org.

(joshua.middleton@citypaper.net)