Broadway San Diego has brought Altar Boyz to San Diego for a short run. From the audience reactions opening night, it could play to sold-out houses. The show debuted over two years ago at the New York Music Theatre Festival, opened Off Broadway March 1, 2005, and has several road productions running. Talk about striking while the iron is hot! Altar Boyz, a struggling Christian boy band, is trying to ride the current religion wave. They have some catchy tunes, weird moves, and, with the blessing of Sony Corporation, are able to tour. That's the story folks. This is a rock concert with a very thin storyline.
The group is composed of Matthew (Matthew Buckner), Mark (Ryan J. Ratliff), Luke (Jesse JP Johnson), Juan (Jay Garcia), and Abraham (Nick Blaemire). Yes, a Christian boy band has a Jewish singer. And the Voice of God is recorded by popular disc jockey Shadoe Stevens
Choreographer Gattelli has created some of the freakiest moves seen on the stage. Altar Boyz is an all-singing, all-dancing production. The band has come to San Diego to save souls, and from their brightly lighted "soul counter," we have a lot of souls to save.
Meet the boys: Smooth and handsome Matthew brings a gal out of the audience on stage and sings "Something about you makes me want to wait." Mark is the group comic. Dressed in pink and blue, he has a crush on Matthew, and almost comes out. Luke is a hip-hopping street kid with an attitude. He has a problem with exhaustion and had to leave the group for awhile because of it. His problem caused him to crack-up their van once, but he's really a good kid.
Juan is a hot Latino. His bio would make a great tear-jerker series on Televisa. He has moves and gyrations impossible to describe.
Abraham is the token Jew. One might ask why a Jew is in a Christian boy band. Abraham points out that, "I think I see one in front, hanging on the cross." He may even be closer to Christian love and its ethic than any of his band mates.
One might expect a Christian night out with song titles like "Church Rulez," "The Calling," "The Miracle Song," and "Epiphany." Not the case. Altar Boyz rides a very fine line of religious satire. Where else would you hear "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone?" They do poke fun, albeit gently, at organized religion as well as rock concerts in general. The show definitely is not politically correct.
The performances by the group are exhausting. Their singing is hot rock at its best. As with any rock concert, lighting is critical. Natasha Katz's lighting design is hot. The band is hot. The costumes, by Gail Brassard, are hot. If this is your thing, call for reservations now; chances are seats are going to be hard to come by.
