The life and death of Jesus Christ will take center stage in Des Moines this week. But this time, he’ll be wearing modern day clothes in the middle of an urban jungle.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1971 musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” is being performed for one week at the Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines. However, this version is a little different than the 1970s style of the original — this production, directed by Kevin Moriarty, has a modern-day twist.

“What you see in society is what you see on stage,” says Lawrence Clayton, who plays the role of Judas in the musical. “In modernizing it, the focus is not on Jesus as a god, but Jesus as a man. You see him as a regular guy who has star attraction.”

Despite the idea of the new set and wardrobe, the music is the same as the original Broadway version of the musical.

“The music is my favorite part,” says Jeff Chelesvig, president and CEO of the Civic Center. “I can remember being in junior high and listening to the double album of ‘Superstar’ all the time. And when I saw the revival I could still sing all the words to the songs.”

Made up of 23 cast members, eight orchestra members and 15 crew and wardrobe members, “Jesus Christ Superstar” began its national tour in November 2002. The cast and crew travel weekly to a new city doing shows once a day.

Although the production has only been touring for a year, the cast member playing the character of Judas has already been replaced. Clayton did not become a part of the cast until July 2003, after the original Judas was injured dancing during the musical and could not fulfill his contract, he says.

“A touring company is like a train rolling down the hill, and when you join in the middle of the tour you have to fit what you do into what has already been set,” Clayton says. “But it is the most wonderful cast and we are like a family.”

“Jesus Christ Superstar” tells the story of Jesus’ last seven days on Earth through the eyes of Judas.

“There is very little information about Judas in the Bible on what motivated him or compelled him to do the things he did,” Clayton says. “In peoples’ minds he is a monster, but I try to make him as human as I can, and I want the audience to see Judas’ point of view and his motivation.”

Clayton says the show’s appeal lies in its cutting-edge on the portrayal of Jesus. Although the story and music still appeal to older generations, Chelesvig says, younger generations will relate to the updated “Matrix-like” style.

“This the only place in Iowa you will have the chance to see ‘Superstar,'” Chelesvig says. “I want people to … hear the identical Broadway music and see the innovative staging of the new ‘Superstar’ set in modern times.”

Who: “Jesus Christ Superstar”

Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St., Des Moines

When: Feb. 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $22.50-$57.50