Mangus!

Mangus grows up in River City with a war veteran father and a neglectful stepmother. The town's long-running tradition of male Spedgewicks portraying Jesus in the yearly Jesus Christ Spectacular sets the stakes for his upcoming audition.

Mangus faces off against Farrell Williamson, the mayor's son, in the auditions. He wins the coveted role, but the competition underscores the pressure he faces and the town's expectations.

That night, Mangus rides in a limo with his friends Timmy and Kimmy. A severe car accident gravely injures them and leaves Mangus with a devastating loss of leg mobility.

Following the crash, Farrell's mother launches a campaign to remove Mangus from the production so Farrell can take the part. The campaign creates public pressure and media attention around the decision.

The School District rules that Mangus cannot play Jesus. Play director Bruce is deeply distressed by the decision but must communicate the verdict to Mangus.

Mangus's father returns home from the war in a wheelchair and decides to remarry Cookie Richardson. The new blended family lives together in a trailer, with Mangus, his half-sister Jessica, Cookie, and Buddy.

Mangus spends time with his half-sister Jessica, who reveals she is a lesbian, and she introduces him to Bobbie, the Black ice-cream truck vendor. The siblings' bond and the new friendships hint at a more tolerant world.

Buddy takes Mangus to a strip club, where a hallucinatory moment brings him face to face with Jesus who urges him to fight for the role.

Motivated by the vision, Mangus vows to reclaim the part. Farrell demonstrates his routine but then suffers a traumatic accident—falling through a coffee table—with the outcome left unclear for the moment.

Believing Farrell is dead, Mangus plans to leave town for Hollywood to pursue singing and dancing. He ends up in Hollywood, Florida by mistake with Jessica.

A telegram arrives offering Mangus the role again despite his disability. With little money, the siblings are helped by a Greyhound employee and make their way back home.

Back at school, Bruce explains that because Mangus didn't return in time, the part had been offered to Harry. When Mangus asks for the role, Harry steps aside and Mangus is reinstated.

During the performance, Raquel and Buddy sneak a hookup and stumble onto the stage with Buddy's pants down, adding chaos to the show. The moment underscores the show's chaotic, quirky vibe.

The opening number features Santa, while the rest of the cast dresses in hippie-inspired outfits. Mangus endures the cross in his wheelchair as part of the finale.

After the curtain falls, Mangus's parents reconcile and the whole family heads out for ice cream. The ending offers a hopeful note about chosen family, resilience, and the town's enduring pull of tradition.