OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW
ALTAR BOYZ OFF-BROADWAY REVIEW
Reviewed by David Sanchez
Published 2008-08-12
During a year where the New Kids on the Block, the original boy band from the early 1990’s who started it all, are having something of a comeback, one might ask whether boy bands are on the way out – stale and regurgitated. After seeing Altar Boyz, one might answer with, “Who cares?” Altar Boyz, the off-Broadway hit from 2004, is in no need of a comeback. It’s fresh, fun, and funny.
The show, playing at New World Stages, welcomes the audience to the Altar Boyz final performance on their tour, which just so happens to be in New York City . Now, these Boyz are not only part of a boy band. They’re also evangelists, saving souls and preaching their various faiths from five very different denominations all along their tour. During the course of their ‘concert’, their goal is to save the souls of all the audience members here for their final show.
Each number covers a multitude of themes from the church and people of the faith, all done in the style of the boy band but verging into other music genres such as gospel and Latin pop in the vein of Ricky Martin. Highlights of the night were such numbers as “Something About You” where Matthew, the leader of the group, pulls a girl onto the stage to sing to her about the temptations of sex and how meeting that special girl can make a guy want to wait. “Rhythm in Me” is about how God gave these boys the gift of song so they can be witnesses to His good works. It’s a song filled with expressions of faith and enough clever boy band musical tropes to make you a believer. “Epiphany” becomes a confession of sorts to the audience from the most flamboyant member of the group, Mark.
While the cleverness and humor of this boy band and Christian (and all accompanying denomination) could easily become a joke that’s constantly played for one note, there’s a charm to the show due mostly to the interaction of these five very individualized characters. It’s the shows saving grace and truly what serves as a major appeal for the show. Each boy is named after a Bible character – the writers of the four New Testament Gospels and the father of it all, Abraham, to represent the Jewish faith. The idea that we are at this concert along with the boy’s incredible energy and verve keeps the audience engaged throughout the entire night. While it most certainly will appeal to the Rent generation, there’s plenty to love here for all kinds of audiences from young to old. Naturally, the show is a bit of an inside joke for those already familiar with boy bands and organized religion of the Christian influence.
Kevin Del Aguila’s book complements the music and lyrics of Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker nicely, always feeling in sync (pun intended) and never as something auxiliary. That is, the book isn’t there just as filler for the music or vice versa. The choreography by Christopher Gattelli is especially stand out and keeps the audience awake. It successfully melds signs of the cross with handstands and booty drops - yes, I said booty drops.
This is a show that’s for all ages. It’s an exhilarating dose of off-Broadway pop filled with surprises and humor. You’ll feel lighter in heart and head after leaving this off-Broadway musical treat.
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