The show’s music is by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater, and before the performance begins officially cast members are going down the aisles passing our fake money to be put into the collection baskets that will be passed and urging audience members to get into the spirit. The plot involves Esparza as Jonas Nightingale, a charlatan preacher and his traveling evangelicals. They pitch a tent in which Nightingale performs so-called miracles while milking townsfolk of as much cash as possible. This particular Kansas town needs rain.

There is a pretty local sheriff, Marla McGowan, played by attractive Jessica Phillips, whom Nightingale successfully hits on. Phillips is a charismatic performer who sings very well, and that helps the production considerably. Of course, Marla’s duty is to expose the preacher for the fake that he is. She has a 13-year-old handicapped son, Jake, played with charming openness by Talon Ackerman, and be believes the preacher can make him walk. You can see where this is all going.

The musical’s strength derives from its rousing numbers put across by the excellent chorus of singers and dancers under the musical supervision by Michael Kosarin, choreography by Sergio Trujillo and direction by Christopher Ashley. Everyone appears to be giving their all, especially Esparza, who is super slick in both his acting and singing.