A Musical Review: Altar Boyz

Since first arriving in New York, I’ve heard raving reviews about this off-Broadway show called Altar Boyz. This post is another such raving review.

But first a definition is in order, off-Broadway. I myself had a vague understanding of the word, but as I have learned, it has a concrete, simple definition. An off-Broadway show is a one in which the theatre holds less than 500 people. That’s it. Doesn’t mean the quality of the actors, sound, lights set, or any aspect of the show is anything less than fantastic. Because these shows are often in small venues, it requires the show to do a little less with sets and such, but the show itself can be just as entertaining as those flashy big staged shows.

Off-Broadway does, however, mean more risks can be taken. More risqué subject matter can be addressed. More absurd plots can be explored. Such as a group of four Catholic school boys, and a Jewish one, forming a Christian boy band, creating a show that is a completely mockery of Catholicism, Christian Rock musicians, and boy-bands. This is Altar Boys. In my humble opinion, it’s absolute genius.

As an audience member at Altar Boys, you are actually an audience member at the boy band’s final performance of their cross-country tour. Their goal is to spread the good word of God through their hip thrusting gyrations and tight vocal harmonies. At certain points throughout the show, they use their “Soul Searcher 5000” to scan the audience and see just how many souls they’ve converted.

They nail every hilarious boy band member persona: the ever-diligent leader, the obvious yet closeted gay, the Spanish conquistador of women, the recovering muscular alcoholic, and of course, the Jew. Each has a quite a back-story which is uniquely woven into the show.

With just a very talented four piece band on stage and the five vocalist/dancer, this show makes the off-Broadway community proud.