Hallelujah! The “Boyz” are singing and dancing to save our souls, and send up salvation has never been funnier. “Altar Boyz” tells the holy inspiring story of a fictitious Christian boy-band on the last night of their national “Raise the Praise” tour. The five small-town boys – Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham are out to save the world, one screaming fan at a time. Think of them as the new Christian Kids on the Block, or God Rock with a twist.
With tight harmonies and spectacular choreography that would be the envy of any boy band, the pious pop group performs their signature hits such as “Rhythm in Me,” “The Calling” and “I Believe,” with lyrics like “Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait” “Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone,” and “We don’t believe in hurtin’ or in hatin’ cause that’s the kind of stuff that leads to Satan.”
Can I have an Amen?!
The folks at California Musical Theatre made a very smart move adding “Altar Boyz” to their Music Circus line up this season; entertainment bucks are scarce and “Boyz” doesn’t cost a lot to stage. To make the show work, you just need five exceptionally talented, high energy singers and dancers. And that is exactly what the production delivers. These boyz really rock the house.
“Altar Boyz” features a terrific and talented ensemble: Devin DeSantis as Matthew, the group’s leader; the wonderful Jamison Scott as fabulous and fey, Mark , whose powerhouse song, “Epiphany” is a show stopper; Ryan Nearhoff as Luke, a white homeboy who spent a little time in rehab for “exhaustion”; Andres Quintero as Juan, whose moves put Ricky Martin to shame; and Tim Dolan as Abraham, the “Gefilte fish out of water”. An additional, unseen cast member is the pre-recorded role of “G.O.D.” perfectly voiced by radio/television personality Shadoe Stevens.
Aside from a very funny score, “Boyz” does have a plot, involving something called a soul sensor, a machine on stage that takes the spiritual temperature of those in the auditorium. Or as one of the Boyz says, “How many souls might be burdened with sin, right here is this very theater?” Just about everyone, it turns out, including the Boyz themselves, who ultimately must question their loyalty to each other and ask whether or not faith is really holding them together. They finally deliver a message of unity, that “there is no star as bright as its constellation, no harmony in a single voice.”
“Altar Boyz” will appeal to all generations and religions, and I have to confess, I loved every minute of the show. Heed my call, it would be an absolute sin to miss this terrific production.
Big Fat Rating: 4 stars
“Altar Boyz” continues at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. next Sunday (final show) Although the show is all in good fun, parents should be advised that the production is recommended for theatergoers 14 and older.
Music Circus, Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H St., Sacramento
For tickets, call (916) 557-1999