TAMPA, Fla. — A Christmas musical titled "Journey to Bethlehem" opens in theaters this week. It was co-written, co-produced and directed by Adam Anders, who spent his high school years in Lakeland. While Anders was taking his high school classes by correspondence courses, he also studied bass at the University of South Florida.

Anders has spent the past couple of decades as a successful music writer and producer, selling more than 100 million records. He often collaborates with his wife, Nikki.

Anders said he came up with his original vision for the movie while visiting Nikki’s family at Christmas in Iowa about 17 years ago.

“There was nothing to watch,” he said. “There was no Christmas movie, especially about the nativity, which is what Christmas is about. That’s when I first had the idea: I’d love to do a musical to tell what Christmas is about through song.”

One of the stars of the movie is Antonio Banderas, who plays the part of king Herod. Anders lightheartedly said he stalked Banderas in Spain, where Banderas was leading a stage production. He went to several of the productions before he got a few minutes to make a pitch for the movie part.

“He was snapping his fingers in the show all the time and changing the lighting,” Anders said. “And he was doing this thing, and I was blown away because before I ever met him or thought of him, king Herod in my movie snaps his fingers.” That coincidence helped Anders convince Banderas to be in the movie that was already set to be filmed in Spain.

Christian rap star Lecrae plays the part of the angel Gabriel in the movie. “And I thought it would be incredible to have angel Gabriel embodied in this guy who has this presence, who is also one of the humblest, kindest men I have met,” Anders said.

The movie is a combination of music, drama, a love story and even humor. Even though creative license is used in the story, Anders said he attempted to be faithful to the Biblical nativity story.

Anders is hoping “Journey to Bethlehem” will be an annual tradition for the entire family.

”It really is a reminder of what Christmas is all about in a way that whether you are a believer, whether you’re not, whether you just celebrate Christmas or you just love musicals, it’s for all of you.”