WILLOUGHBY, Ohio -- A Willoughby South High School musical production is on hold because of objections by a Washington D.C. group that claims the show has religious content inappropriate for a public school.

Officials of Willoughby- Eastlake Schools earlier this week got a letter from Americans United for Separation of Church and State warning that the production is in violation of the constitutional ban of government involvement in religion.

Alex Luchenister, associate legal director of the organization, confirmed by phone Friday that the group had received a complaint from "a member of the school community," objecting to the production. He would not identify the complainant.

Luchenister said the group has no immediate plans to take any action against the school "because it has been postponed." If the show is rescheduled, he said "we would consider filing litigation," seeking an injunction to stop it from being performed.

The production, called "I am Martol" was written partially by Ben Richard, the school's choir director. According to the school district, Richard used music by Ola Gjeilo, a young Norwegian composer.

Luchenister said the opera is about a sinner who is contacted by a messenger from God, then is tempted deeper into sin. He called it a religious opera and said public school teachers have no business promoting religion. He acknowledged he had not read the opera and relied on the complainant's description.

The opera was to have been performed Friday and Saturday. Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Superintendent Stephen L. Thompson hopes to have a decision from the district's legal counsel by Monday about whether the show eventually can go on.

According to a press release from the district, Thompson heard the concerns of the students scheduled to perform in the opera and reassured them of his support and understanding.

"I share the disappointment felt by our students and realize the decision to postpone the opera has been difficult for them," Thompson said. "Mr. Richard is one of the most well-respected teachers in our district."

Americans United for Separation of Church and State was founded in 1947 to oppose government subsidies for religious schools, and has since opposed compulsory prayer and the teaching of creationism in public schools among other issues.

When the ACLU of Ohio twice in recent years succeeded in challenging a Richland County common pleas judge's insistence on displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom, Americans United filed amicus briefs in support.

Luchenister said his organization receives about 1,000 complaints a year similar to the one that has stalled the Willoughby production.