''Altar Boyz'' is a
musical comedy
Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...
with music and lyrics by
Gary Adler
Gary Adler is an American composer and musical director based in New York. He received two 2005 Drama Desk nominations (along with Michael Patrick Walker) for his music and lyrics for the off-Broadway show ''Altar Boyz'', which had its premiere in ...
and
Michael Patrick Walker
Michael Patrick Walker is a composer, lyricist, writer, and musician.
Life
Walker was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. He lived in Pittsburgh for several years while earning his bachelor's degree from Car ...
and book by
Kevin Del Aguila (based on an idea by Marc J. Kessler and
Ken Davenport). Centering on a fictitious
Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a vocal group consisting of young male singers, usually in their teenage years or in their twenties at the time of formation. Generally, boy bands perform Love song, love songs marketed towards girls and young ...
from
Ohio
Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
, the show
satirizes, among other things, the phenomenon of boy bands and the popularity of
Christian-themed music in contemporary
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
culture. It began an
Off Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
run on March 1, 2005, and closed on January 10, 2010, after sixteen previews and 2,032 regular performances, making it the 9th longest-running
Off-Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
musical of all time.
Plot
The musical is presented in real time as the final concert of the national "Raise the Praise" tour staged by the five-member group the Altar Boyz. Four of the group's members, Matthew, Mark, Luke and Juan, apparently are named after the authors of the four canonical Christian
Gospel
Gospel originally meant the Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words an ...
s. The fifth member is Abraham, who, the group explains in the show's opening number, is
Jewish
Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...
. The members of the group address the audience directly and refer to the venue and location in which the performance is taking place. The Altar Boyz perform their songs, with choreographed dancing in the style of boy bands, and present several scenes concerning the group and its origins, as well as each member's strengths and demons, as part of the concert.
During the show, the Altar Boyz repeatedly turn to a machine on stage, the "Soul Sensor DX-12," which has a display that they explain shows the number of burdened souls in the theatre. Their goal is to reduce the number on the machine to zero by the end of the concert.
Synopsis
The Altar Boyz come out to introduce themselves. There is Matthew, the leader, Mark, the sensitive one, Luke, the bad boy, Juan, the Latin Lover, and Abraham the
gefilte fish
Gefilte fish (; from yi, געפֿילטע פֿיש, lit. "stuffed fish") is a dish made from a poached mixture of ground deboned fish, such as carp, whitefish, or pike. It is traditionally served as an appetizer by Ashkenazi Jewish household ...
out of water. Abraham is Jewish (We Are The Altar Boyz). They go on to explain their love of God in song (Rhythm In Me). They use a gadget from
SONY
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...
called the "Soul Sensor DX-12", which tells us how many souls that need to be saved. At this performance, 99 souls need to be saved. The first attempt of saving them comes from the Boyz singing about how to behave when at church (Church Rulez). This was a success.
The five Boyz proceed to perform biased skits based on what they remember happened. Matthew's point of view is the first that is discovered. He was having trouble writing a song when Mark entered the church. This song was for the retirement party of Father Lucas, a priest at the church that he goes to. Mark does not offer much help. In Mark's point of view, Matthew notices and compliments his hair, as Mark gets flustered. In this skit, Matthew says that he is writing a love song for Jesus. In Luke's point of view, his friends are completely silent when he enters the church. In Juan's point of view, he runs in, meeting the Boyz for the first time. He dramatically explains that he was born on a church in
Tijuana
Tijuana ( ,["Tijuana"](_blank)
(US) and [< ...]
, but found a way to Ohio, in search of his parents. Matthew, Mark, and Luke react very insensitively to this. In Abraham's point of view, he enters to give Luke his term paper, done for Luke by Abraham. Luke points out that Abraham is a writer, and Abraham agrees to help him write the song if he gives him a robe, and Matthew agrees. However, Abraham does not finish the song. Suddenly, they are encountered by God (Or, the voice of G.O.D), who demands for the Boyz to become a boy band. Abraham believes this is a mistake, but the Boyz obey. (The Calling).
After the song, the Boyz explain their jobs in the group. Matthew is the leader, Mark is the choreographer, Juan picked out the clothes, Abraham is the songwriter, and Luke drives the tour van. According to Matthew, Luke has had to go to rehabilitation, and Luke swears he went there for exhaustion. The Boyz break out in a rap about three of Jesus's miracles. They manage to save a few souls (The Miracle Song). Then, Abraham sings his own song, claiming that it doesn't matter who you are, but that you belong in God's family nonetheless (Everybody Fits).
Once the song is through, Matthew and the Boyz read scripted confessions, that were from the audience. The last of the confessions was from Larry, whose girlfriend has been pressuring him to lose his virginity. He'd like to do the same thing. Luke and Matthew are against it. Matthew sings a love song based on abstinence, bringing up a real audience member onstage, while Mark swoons, mistaking the song to be about him (Something About You). Matthew gives a souvenir to the audience member, a towelette, that was taken by Mark as she was led off the stage. Luke, fed up with Mark's jealousy, pleads for the Boyz, as well as the audience, to focus on their souls, as he has been working on his (Body, Mind, and Soul).
The soul sensor goes down to thirty three. Matthew has declared a surprise party for Juan, and have a very special letter that is addressed to him. The letter states that they have finally found Juan's parents, but said parents are no longer alive, and were found at a cemetery. This has led to all of the souls needing to be saved again. The Boyz try to continue the set list like normal, but Juan begins to cry and grieves his family. Abraham takes his place in singing his big song, but gives up on the dance break and attempts to search for him, who has run away and is trying to leave the theater. When the Boyz get him back, he gains confidence and continues his song with pride (La Vida Eternal).
There are ten people left whose souls still need to be saved. To save them, Mark shares his story with
Episcopalian
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of the l ...
bullies, who have bullied him for his voice and his stylistic choices. Out of the blue, Matthew comes in to defend him from the bullies. Mark, smitten, calls him his guardian angel. This was his Catholic awakening (Epiphany). This has saved six souls, but there are still four left in the audience.
The Altar Boyz try to save those four whose souls are still lost with a song that they have never performed before, and only perform it on extreme measures. In the song, they try desperately to help, in any way possible, to save the audience (Number 918). This does not work. As Luke tries for an encore, Matthew stops the Boyz, and shamefully admits that he has signed a solo deal, and will be leaving the band. One by one, each boy admits that they will also be leaving the band after this performance. All except Abraham. Although he was offered, he refused. Now, he understands why he's in the band. Abraham gives his finally complete song to the band. One by one, each boy enters the song, and they sing together for one last time, promising that they will always be friends, and there's a reason why they're here (I Believe).
Production history
Directed by
Stafford Arima
Stafford Arima (born March 14, 1969) is a Canadian-born theatre director. Arima studied at York University in Toronto, where he was the recipient of the Dean's Prize for Excellence in Creative Work. He is a member of the SDC ( Stage Directors and ...
and choreographed by
Christopher Gattelli
Christopher Gattelli is an American choreographer, performer and theatre director.
Early life and career
Gattelli grew up in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He started dancing at the age of 11 and is a "Star Search" Grand champion. , ''Altar Boyz'' debuted at the
47th Street Theatre
47th Street Theatre is an Off Broadway theatre venue at 304 West 47th Street in New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Built as Fire Engine Company No. 54 in 1888, it was designed by Napoleon LeBrun & Sons for the New York City Fire Depart ...
(The
Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre
The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater is a theater company based at the 47th Street Theater in New York City. It was founded as El Nuevo Círculo Dramatico (The New Drama Circuit) by Míriam Colón and Roberto Rodríguez.
It was one of the first Pu ...
) in New York City as part of the
New York Musical Theatre Festival
The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) was an annual three-week summer festival that operated from 2004 to 2019. It presented more than 30 new musicals a year in New York City's midtown theater district. More than half were chosen by leading theate ...
in September 2004. The NYMF cast included
Cheyenne Jackson
Cheyenne David Jackson (born July 12, 1975) is an American actor and singer. His credits include leading roles in Broadway musicals and other stage roles, as well as film and television roles, concert singing, and music recordings.
After beginni ...
as Matthew,
Tyler Maynard
Tyler Maynard (born September 27, 1978) is an American stage and film actor. He is best known for playing Mark in the 2005 musical ''Altar Boyz'', for which he won a Theatre World Award and received a nomination for a Drama Desk Award.
Biography ...
as Mark,
Andy Karl
Andy Karl (born August 28, 1974 as Andrew Karl Cesewski) is an American actor and singer, best known for performing in musical theatre. He appeared on Broadway in the original productions of the musical version of ''Groundhog Day'' (for which he ...
as Luke, Ryan Dunca as Juan, and David Josefsberg as Abraham.
Marc Kudisch
Marc Kudisch (born September 22, 1966) is an American stage actor, who is best known for his musical theatre roles on Broadway.
Early life and education
Kudisch was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, the son of Florence and Raymond Kudisch. His fami ...
performed the pre-recorded role of "G.O.D." Due to the nature of the festival, the NYMF run was limited to eight performances on an irregular schedule over the course of a few weeks.
After 16 preview performances, the show opened
Off Broadway
An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...
at Stage 4 of Dodger Stages (now
New World Stages
New World Stages is a five-theater, Off-Broadway performing arts complex in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It is between 49th and 50th Streets beneath the plaza of the Worldwide Plaza complex at Eighth Avenue. ...
) on March 1, 2005.
The cast was the same as in the NYMF production, except
Scott Porter
Scott may refer to:
Places Canada
* Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec
* Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380
* Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Saskat ...
played the part of Matthew and
Shadoe Stevens
Shadoe Stevens (; ) is an American radio host, voiceover actor, and television personality. He was the host of '' American Top 40'' from 1988 to 1995. He currently hosts the internationally syndicated radio show ''Top of the World,'' and co-host ...
played the pre-recorded role of "G.O.D." The production closed on January 10, 2010, after 2,032 regular performances, making it the ninth longest-running Off-Broadway musical of all time.
"Altar Boyz to close Off Broadway."
theatermania.com, December 4, 2009 The closing cast starred Michael Kadin Craig as Matthew, Travis Nesbitt as Mark, Lee Markham as Luke, Mauricio Pérez as Juan, and Ravi Roth as Abraham.
There have been touring productions of ''Altar Boyz'' in the United States (in 2007, 2008 and 2009) and resident productions in Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name ...
(2007), and South Korea, Hungary
Hungary ( hu, Magyarország ) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning of the Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia a ...
, Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
, Australia, the Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
and Japan as well as numerous regional and amateur productions. In 2013 it was performed as part of the Adelaide Fringe
The Adelaide Fringe, formerly Adelaide Fringe Festival, is the world's second-largest annual arts festival (after the Edinburgh Festival Fringe), held in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Between mid-February and mid-March each year, i ...
.
Characters
*Matthew: The leader of the band, who believes in sexual abstinence. First tenor
A tenor is a type of classical music, classical male singing human voice, voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The lo ...
of the group.
*Mark: The sensitive choreographer of the band, who has a crush on Matthew, but is closeted
''Closeted'' and ''in the closet'' are metaphors for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and other (LGBTQ+) people who have not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity and aspects thereof, including sexual identity and human ...
. Countertenor
A countertenor (also contra tenor) is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is equivalent to that of the female contralto or mezzo-soprano voice types, generally extending from around G3 to D5 or E5, although a sopranist (a s ...
of the group.
*Luke: The bad boy of the band that drives the tour bus, who has had problems with communion wine and dropped out of school. Bass of the group.
*Juan: The Latin lover of the band that picks out the clothes, who is searching for his parents. Second tenor
A tenor is a type of classical music, classical male singing human voice, voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The lo ...
of the group.
*Abraham: The gefilte fish out of water who is also the songwriter. He is Jewish and isn't exactly sure why he's in a Catholic band. Baritone
A baritone is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the bass and the tenor voice-types. The term originates from the Greek (), meaning "heavy sounding". Composers typically write music for this voice in the r ...
of the group.
Songs
*We Are the Altar Boyz - Altar Boyz
*Rhythm In Me - Altar Boyz
*Church Rulez - Altar Boyz
*The Calling - Altar Boyz
*The Miracle Song - Altar Boyz
*Everybody Fits - Abraham & Altar Boyz
*Something About You - Matthew & Altar Boyz
*Body, Mind & Soul - Luke & Altar Boyz
*La Vida Eternal - Juan & Altar Boyz
*Epiphany - Mark & Altar Boyz
*Number 918 - Altar Boyz
*Finale: I Believe - Altar Boyz
*Bows & Altar Boyz Remix - Altar Boyz
Awards and nominations
*Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town newspa ...
Best Off Broadway Musical (winner)
*Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Fo ...
Outstanding Musical (nominee)
*Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Tyler Maynard
Tyler Maynard (born September 27, 1978) is an American stage and film actor. He is best known for playing Mark in the 2005 musical ''Altar Boyz'', for which he won a Theatre World Award and received a nomination for a Drama Desk Award.
Biography ...
, nominee)
*Drama Desk Award Outstanding Choreography (Christopher Gattelli
Christopher Gattelli is an American choreographer, performer and theatre director.
Early life and career
Gattelli grew up in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He started dancing at the age of 11 and is a "Star Search" Grand champion. , nominee)
*Drama Desk Award Outstanding Music (Gary Adler
Gary Adler is an American composer and musical director based in New York. He received two 2005 Drama Desk nominations (along with Michael Patrick Walker) for his music and lyrics for the off-Broadway show ''Altar Boyz'', which had its premiere in ...
& Michael Patrick Walker
Michael Patrick Walker is a composer, lyricist, writer, and musician.
Life
Walker was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. He lived in Pittsburgh for several years while earning his bachelor's degree from Car ...
, nominees)
*Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lyrics (Gary Adler
Gary Adler is an American composer and musical director based in New York. He received two 2005 Drama Desk nominations (along with Michael Patrick Walker) for his music and lyrics for the off-Broadway show ''Altar Boyz'', which had its premiere in ...
& Michael Patrick Walker
Michael Patrick Walker is a composer, lyricist, writer, and musician.
Life
Walker was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. He lived in Pittsburgh for several years while earning his bachelor's degree from Car ...
, nominees)
*Drama Desk Award Outstanding Book of a Musical ( Kevin Del Aguila, nominee)
*Drama Desk Award Outstanding Orchestrations ( Doug Katsaros & Lynne Shankel, nominees)
*Lucille Lortel Award
The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986. They are produced by the League of Off-Broadway Theatre ...
Outstanding Musical (nominee)
*Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Choreography (Christopher Gattelli
Christopher Gattelli is an American choreographer, performer and theatre director.
Early life and career
Gattelli grew up in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He started dancing at the age of 11 and is a "Star Search" Grand champion. , winner)
*Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Featured Actor (Tyler Maynard
Tyler Maynard (born September 27, 1978) is an American stage and film actor. He is best known for playing Mark in the 2005 musical ''Altar Boyz'', for which he won a Theatre World Award and received a nomination for a Drama Desk Award.
Biography ...
, nominee)
*Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Sound Design ( Simon Matthews, nominee)
*Drama League Award
The Drama League Awards, created in 1922, honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing. Each May, the awards ...
Distinguished Production of a Musical (nominee)
*Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Award (Ryan Duncan
Ryan Duncan (born July 14, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently an unrestricted free agent having last played for EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Hockey League (EBEL).
Playing career
Duncan played four se ...
, David Josefsberg, Andy Karl
Andy Karl (born August 28, 1974 as Andrew Karl Cesewski) is an American actor and singer, best known for performing in musical theatre. He appeared on Broadway in the original productions of the musical version of ''Groundhog Day'' (for which he ...
, Tyler Maynard
Tyler Maynard (born September 27, 1978) is an American stage and film actor. He is best known for playing Mark in the 2005 musical ''Altar Boyz'', for which he won a Theatre World Award and received a nomination for a Drama Desk Award.
Biography ...
, Scott Porter
Scott may refer to:
Places Canada
* Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec
* Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380
* Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Saskat ...
, nominees)
*Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway theatre, Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945 ...
(Tyler Maynard
Tyler Maynard (born September 27, 1978) is an American stage and film actor. He is best known for playing Mark in the 2005 musical ''Altar Boyz'', for which he won a Theatre World Award and received a nomination for a Drama Desk Award.
Biography ...
, winner)
Cast recording
''Altar Boyz'' was recorded in March 2005 and was released on May 17, 2005, by Ghostlight Records (an imprint of Sh-K-Boom Records
Sh-K-Boom Records is an independent record label and producer of recorded and live entertainment, which was founded in 2000 by Kurt Deutsch with the mission of bridging the gap between pop music and theater. In 2004 Sh-K-Boom created their second ...
).
References
External links
{{Commons category, Altar Boyz
MichaelPatrickWalker.com
Official site for Composer/Lyricist Michael Patrick Walker
Michael Patrick Walker is a composer, lyricist, writer, and musician.
Life
Walker was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. He lived in Pittsburgh for several years while earning his bachelor's degree from Car ...
DelAguila.info
Official site for Book Writer Kevin Del Aguila
StaffordArima.com
Official site for Off Broadway Director Stafford Arima
Stafford Arima (born March 14, 1969) is a Canadian-born theatre director. Arima studied at York University in Toronto, where he was the recipient of the Dean's Prize for Excellence in Creative Work. He is a member of the SDC ( Stage Directors and ...
Robyn Goodman (producer)
- ''Downstage Center'' interview at American Theatre Wing
The American Theatre Wing (the Wing for short) is a New York City–based non-profit organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre", according to its mission statement. Originally known as the Stage Women's War Relief ...
.org, August 2005
AltarHolics.com
Official Fan Site
TheProducersPerspective.com
Blog for one of the producers of the Off Broadway production
2005 musicals
Off-Broadway musicals
One-act musicals
LGBT-related musicals
Criticism of the Catholic Church
Plays set in New York City