The following synopsis contains spoilers. Song titles are indicated parenthetically.

Content Warnings: Conversion Therapy, Homophobia, Suicide, Transphobia

Act I

The show opens on Way in the Wilderness, a conversion therapy Christian summer camp for LGBTQ+ teens. Six campers arrive and nervously reflect on how they or their parents hope that somehow this place will miraculously “cure” them. (WAITING FOR A MIRACLE) These six campers were all picked to be part of the same small group, led by “ex-gay” Pastor Noah. In an early small group meeting, Iris, a 17-year-old femme lesbian, shares her coming-out story. (THIS IS ME) At another meeting, they learn that Caleb, unlike the rest of them, is there by his own choice; he feels broken and wants God to heal him. (SAVE ME) Noah is prayer partners this summer with Matt, a straight staffer who works on the grounds crew. Noah struggles with feeling attracted to Matt. At another small group meeting, Daniel tells the story about how he tricked his parents into letting him go to gay clubs and hook up with his boyfriend by telling them he was going to church events instead. (I’M GOING TO CHURCH) Later, Billie, a nonbinary, pansexual teen, shares their story of discovering that the world and its pleasures are far richer than anything they were taught growing up in the South. (THIS WORLD) Back in his quarters, Noah is racked with self-loathing and guilt after watching gay porn. Jo, a transgender teen, tells her story about being born “Joseph,” struggling with her gender identity and attempting suicide, as her family would prefer her dead than queer. (JOSEPH/JO) Meanwhile, tensions rise between Caleb and Daniel. Daniel leads the others in an anthem to assert their validity and reject those who would seek to erase them. (WE ARE THE MUSIC)

Act II

Preaching to the entire camp, Pastor Noah uses the story of Job to suggest that their queerness is actually a burden God chose them to carry as part of His plan. Alex, a butch lesbian, laments the disappearance of butch lesbians and how lonely her future feels. (WHERE DID ALL THE BUTCHES GO?) Noah continues to struggle with his attraction to Matt, as they meet nightly to talk and pray together. Daniel surprises Jo by doing her makeup, saying that makeup can reveal the hidden beauty within. (THE SECRET OF MAKEUP) They sneak into the small group room to share Jo’s transformation, but Caleb fetches Pastor Noah, who furiously drags Jo back to the boys’ dorm to wash the makeup off. Daniel and Caleb argue, culminating in Caleb lunging at Daniel, who drops him with a single punch. Noah disciplines Daniel, who pleads to stay, fearful that his parents will throw him out on the streets if he’s sent home. Noah receives a call and urgently sends Daniel back to small group, where they learn that Caleb attempted to hang himself. Jo found him and pocketed his suicide note, which they read together. (SAVE ME – REPRISE) The teens join Noah and the rest of the camp in a prayer vigil for Caleb. (WAITING FOR A MIRACLE – REPRISE) Besieged with guilt, Noah separates himself from Matt, who’s left hurt and confused by the sudden rejection. At their final small group, the teens wrestle with the news that Caleb’s parents are weighing taking him off life support and their fears of leaving each other to head home and back into the closet. Tasked with preparing their end-of-summer testimonials to give in front of the camp and their families, Alex suggests that they give them together, sharing how they found hope, truth, and belonging. Their parents can think they found it in Christ; they can secretly know that they found it in one another. The show closes with them singing their group testimony, where reprises of each of their songs and “We Are the Music” weave together into a statement of hope and chosen family. (THE ANSWER WAS YOU)