Altar Boyz

And finally, on Sunday evening I went to see the off-bway musical "Altar Boyz" with my friend Ciara who I haven't seen in ages!

"Altar Boyz" is playing at the new off-bway theater complex on 50th St called Dodger Stages. It's in the newly renovated building where the old Cineplex Odeon movie theater behind the Universal building was. So attending a show there is almost like going to a movie theater in that there are 5 productions going on simultaneously. I was excited to see the show just for the opportunity to see the new theater!

This show was hilarious. "Altar Boyz" are a Christian (specifically Catholic) boyband and you are attending the final show on their concert tour. As the ad says "They sing. They dance. They save" and "(the) Madonna's favorite boyband" - so you get the idea. The members of the band are Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan (from Tijuana), and Abraham (the newly converted Jewish member) played by Scott Porter, Tyler Maynard, Andy Karl, Ryan Duncan and David Josefberg respectively. Each one of them stands out in their own way. All are very gifted in their singing, dancing and comedic abilities though Tyler Maynard is quite the scene-stealer.

This show parodies boybands, Christianity, Catholicism, the music business, and theater all in one breath. Thanks to the performances and very witty songs the joke doesn't get old. And it's evenly paced at 90 minutes (no intermission.) If you have ever screamed at a boyband, attended a mass, or have any experience with born-agains you will laugh your butt off. But even if you've never cracked open a bible or screamed like teenybopper you can still appreciate and enjoy this show.