Altar Boyz
theater
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Boy bands may be dead, but here's a charming parody that's alive and well, both off-Broadway and now here at the Merriam. Altar Boyz answers a question I'm not sure anyone has asked: Can a Christian rock quintet find success and provide redemption at the same time?
The Altar Boyz — Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and, oh yeah, Abraham — are here to find out. The show is a combination concert, Chorus Line-like confessional and revival meeting. The guys, ostensibly attempting to bring the audience into the light of spirituality, provide some big-time booty shaking. (Works for me.) Diversity is well represented, with something here for everybody, gay and straight. There's even a Jew — Abraham, of course — just to put a bookend on the Guilt Spectrum.
It all may sound mildly blasphemous, but only the most humorless zealot wouldn't be amused by Altar Boyz, with its hopeful, feel-good-about-yourself message. Music and lyrics (especially "The Calling," wherein Jesus extends a helping hand via cell phone) manage a fine line between satire and MTV credibility, if the latter is not an oxymoron.
Of course, much of the Altar Boyz appeal — to pre-teen girls and lapsing priests alike — relies on the cupcake factor of the guys themselves. Luckily, we seem to live in a world of aspiring Justin Timberlakes, so I'm sure the bases (Basses?) will be covered. Thank you, Jesus.
Runs Nov. 28-Dec. 3, $20-$49.50, Broadway Across America at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-336-1234.
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