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Janice Mays, a New York stage actress, singer and writer, is returning home to Montgomery County this weekend to stage a production of her new play, "Esther," an endeavor that combines three of her great loves: theater, her fiancé and her faith.

The musical is an adaptation of the biblical Book of Esther in which the play's namesake, who is the young queen of Persia, must prevent the massacre of Persian Jews while keeping her Jewish faith a secret.

Co-authoring "Esther" is Mays' partner in art and life, Martin Landry, an actor, musician and composer, whom she met in 2008 while they performed together in the off-Broadway musical comedy "Dear Edwina." They are set to marry in September at Covenant Life Church in Derwood, where the play is featured this weekend and next.

The cast, which totals between 40 and 50 members, is comprised entirely of high school students, all of whom are parishioners at Covenant Life, while the band is comprised of professional musicians.

"It's a full-out production. There are a lot of kids," Mays said. "Over 100 came out for auditions and I was blown away."

She describes the musical to other popular shows such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Into the Woods."

"It's definitely contemporary," the 24-year-old said. "It's pop, but Martin's a big comedian at heart so there are a lot of comedic moments and big numbers."

Working with her soon-to-be husband makes things interesting for Mays.

"We don't fight, but if we do, it's over little things," she said. "It's good practice for marriage I guess."

There are slight differences between her production and the original story. She and Landry kept the story's major characters, including Esther's cousin Mordecai and the villainous Haman, but created an original character, Tala, who serves as Esther's best friend in their story. Another notable difference is the extra focus on Esther's character and self-growth, she said.

"We tried to stay pretty close to it overall, but there are some aspects we focus on more than others," Mays said. "It's a hero story, in that Esther is the hero."

"Esther" is Mays' and Landry's second original musical. Their first, "Pilgrim" – co-written by Mays' mother Cathy Mays – was first performed at Covenant Life in 2009. It is a musical adaptation of John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" from 1678.

It was evident from early on that Mays would be a part of the theater world. Her mother works at Covenant Life Church, helping to stage musicals and other performances, while working part-time as a teacher at Covenant Life School.

Mays was only 11 when she made her professional stage debut at Toby's Dinner Theater in Columbia, portraying Brigitta von Trapp in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "The Sound of Music."

After graduating from The Catholic University of America with a drama degree in 2008, Mays moved to New Jersey to stay with her aunt and uncle, while commuting into Manhattan for auditions.

Like any other struggling actor, Mays has held down her fair share of jobs outside the entertainment arena, such as waiting tables and teaching gymnastics. But she said her favorite job was dressing up as Disney princesses at children's birthday parties.

"It's God's way of humbling us," she said, laughing. "It doesn't matter where you are as an actor, there will always be a time when you're out of work."

"Esther" will premier March 19. The show will run again next weekend at Covenant Life Church.

"Writing's a great way to stay artistically alive," Mays said while en route to Philadelphia, where she is performing in Frank McCourt's "The Irish ... and How They Got That Way" at the Kimmel Center.

Part of what drives Mays to construct Christian-based musicals is the lack of them, she said.

"I hate to say that there isn't a lot of good Christian theater," she said.

Janice and Cathy Mays founded www.christiantheatre.org, a Web site where those interested can request performance licenses, DVDs and general information regarding their productions.

"[My faith] does play into what I do as a performer," she said. "At this point, I haven't had to turn away from a role out of conflict. You may be performing something sinful, but it's still acting. If anything, my faith has enhanced what I bring to performing."

If you go

"Esther" will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and again at 7 p.m. March 26 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. March 27 at Covenant Life Church on Muncaster Mill Road in Derwood. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and can be purchased on the church's Web site at www.covlife.org.

To learn more about Mays, visit her official Web site at www.janicemays.com.