ALTAR BOYZ by Kevin Del Aguila, Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker (Angelwalk). At the Toronto Centre for the Arts Studio. To October 11. See listing. Rating: NNNN
Despite a few sightline problems and some opening-night tech glitches concerning microphones, Angelwalk Theatre’s inaugural production provides reason to shout hallelujah.rssbreak]
Altar Boyz, the off-Broadway hit about a religious boy band, is the most pleasant surprise of the new season. It’s smart, funny and (to use a pun from its title song) could alter your idea about mid-sized musical comedies.
The fictional quintet consists of wholesome lead singer Matthew (Ken Chamberland), badboy Luke (Eric Morin), angelic Mark (Jeigh Madjus), Latino Juan (Aidan deSalaiz) and Abraham (Stephen Roberts), who’s Jewish and writes their lyrics.
The show chronicles the final stop on their “raise the praise tour,” and the clever songs touch on every boy band cliché, from substance abuse to closet cases. The satire’s timely and pointed – Christian bands are a rising phenomenon – but never overly cruel.
What’s terrific is how the songs and structure give the show momentum. A “Genesis” number provides character backstory, and an ongoing conceit concerning the audience’s souls ramps up the tension. Lots of twists ensue.
Director/choreographer Tim French stages the show fluidly in the somewhat cramped studio space. Too bad the playing area isn’t raised. Sometimes it’s hard to see the footwork (and, in one scene, breaking) of the multi-talented cast.
Still, in breakout performances, the actors impressively manoeuvre their way through the often clumsy book, singing, dancing and praying with as much power and personality as those Jersey Boys next door.
