As a child, Barry Smith never liked hearing the story of how God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. When God stopped the killing at the last moment and told Abraham it was just a test of faith, it was if He had said, "Abe, you've been punked," Smith says.

It was pretty clear early in his childhood that Smith, whose well-crafted "Jesus in Montana: Adventures in a Doomsday Cult" solo performance at the Rogue is a solid and appealing show, had a turbulent relationship with religion. Going from small-town Southern boy to drug-addled California hippie, he was the kind of introspective soul who was drawn not only to various forms of organized religion but also some eccentric offshoots. It isn't too hard to believe that he ended up in an informal commune of sorts in Montana, practically worshipping a Baha'i breakaway prophet named Paul who proclaimed himself the new incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Smith, from Aspen, Colo., has a polished and professional stage presence. He also has an interesting and distinctive story, which is a tremendously important part of any solo show. (It takes a lot to keep an audience entranced for 45 minutes or even an hour when it's just you on stage.) With the help of a slick multimedia presentation that includes old family movies, goofy graphics and PowerPoint interludes, he illustrates his brisk monologue with a variety of eye-appealing visuals. Smith's crisp comic timing and easy-going manner makes him easy and comfortable to listen to.

At 60 minutes, the show is just a touch too long; there's a point about two-thirds of the way through, when he's detailing some of his extended romps as a traveling evangelist for his "Jesus," when the momentum stalls. (Needless to say, this is not a show for those who have no interest in poking fun at organized religion.) But Smith's story benefits from a simply terrific "plot twist" that allows him to wrap up his tale with real flair.

The result: an energetic, zippy and funny show. "Jesus in Montana" isn't a mere comedy routine; it's a fascinating character sketch and journey into a cult-susceptible mind. No wonder it's one of the top shows in this year's Rogue.