A group of young actors has just arrived by bus at a minimal set constructed in the middle of the desert as they embark on a retelling of the last human days of Jesus Christ, it with modern sensibilities, most notably that it is in the form of a rock opera. Jesus' followers treat him like a superstar, although one of his ardent disciples, Judas Iscariot, is having issue with Jesus' approach to relaying his message. Judas also has issue with Mary Magdalene in Jesus' life, not so much that she is purported to be a prostitute, but in how Mary's comforting of Jesus is distracting him from getting that message out. The local priests view Jesus as a danger to their own existence in light of the Roman occupation of Judaea, thus they have a goal of getting rid of him, which may be difficult in light of he being constantly surrounded by his followers who would protect him. After the presentation, the actors leave on the bus with one notable difference to their arrival.