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The story and life of Jesus Christ, so memorably set to music in the 1970s by Andrew Lloyd Webber, leads off the season for the Missoula Community Theatre, which has announced its lineup for 2008-09.

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” with lyrics by Tim Rice, is a 1971 rock opera surrounding the life of Christ and the political tensions that led to his crucifixion. It runs at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts beginning Oct. 24.

Written in 1970 and first performed on Broadway the following year, “Jesus Christ Superstar” went on to win five Tony Award nominations for its emotive and modern retelling of the Christ story.

It was later set to a hard-rock soundtrack and turned into a movie. Over the decades, it has been performed all over the world, attracting large crowds, some of them in protest over the musical's content (its omission of the resurrection has enraged some Christians).

A follow-up to the musical “Nunsense!,” a poignant baseball story, and two of the most recognizable titles in the world of stage round out the rest of the season.

Here is the complete lineup for MCT's season:

- “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Oct. 24-26, Oct. 29-Nov. 2, Nov. 5-9. Director: Jim Caron. Though not precisely true to the Gospels, this rock opera nonetheless tells with humanity the story of Christ with a musical score that rocks and occasionally squeezes out a few tears.

- “Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical,” Dec. 5-7, Dec. 10-14. Director: Michael McGill. A light and musical follow-up to “Nunsense!” this musical tells the story of a group of nuns taping a Christmas special for public-access TV - only to have things go comically awry.

- “Bang the Drum Slowly,” Jan. 23-25, Jan. 28-Feb. 1. Directed by Jim Caron. A baseball story, originally a novel by famed baseball novelist Mark Harris, that tells the tale of the 1951 New York Mammoths (not so secretly the New York Yankees), and their attempt at the pennant. The Mammoths' star pitcher's story takes center stage in this emotional and funny play.

- “Bye Bye Birdie,” March 13-15, March 18-22. Directed by Jim Caron. Relive the 1950s - Elvis' departure for Korea, poodle skirts and unforgettable music - in this winner of four Tony Awards.

- “Oliver!,” May 1-3, May 6-10. Directed by Michael McGill. Based on Charles Dickens' “Oliver Twist,” this “Oliver” is set to music and relates the tale and adventures of the young orphan and his gang of pickpockets.

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