Watch out N*Sync–the Altar Boyz are in town, and they have got the looks, the moves and the beats to rival even the spunkiest of boy bands.
The musical, which follows the five-piece boy band as they try to make it big in the world of Christian pop music, has been described by critics as “divine”, “hilarious” and “an energetic crowd-pleaser.” With reviews like that, it is no surprise that The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis chose this hip new musical to kick off its off-ramp series this season.
Boyz is a new show for The Rep, so it is with much excitement and enthusiasm that the company introduces St. Louis to this riveting production.
The show is being directed by the talented and established Stafford Arima, whose Broadway credits include Ragtime, Seussical and A Class Act. Arima also directed the original Off-Broadway debut of Boyz in New York City. He has a very intimate relationship with this musical and will be off to Chicago to direct Boyz there once the St. Louis production closes on Oct. 7th.
Despite his critical acclaim, getting Arima to direct the show was not too great a challenge for The Rep. Upon directing the debut of the musical Ace here last year, Arima said that he fell in love with St. Louis. The prospect of working with an ensemble new to the show and some great local musicians also helped seal the deal.
The new faces to this musical include all five Altar Boyz, portrayed by Michael Kadin Craig, Shua Potter, Adam Flemming, Mauricio Perez and Ravi Roth. These five young men tell the story of Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham as they dance and sing their way to stardom.
Although the show does have religious overtones, there truly is “something for everyone” in this show, said Brad Graham, public relations manager for The Rep.
“It’s a hilarious hit for the whole family, and we really do mean that,” Graham said, adding that even casual,
non-religious theatre goers might find something that touches them.
If that is not enough, the fierce dancing, Justin Timberlake-style performances and Fergalicious atmosphere is enough to keep even the most secularly-minded atheists entertained. The Rep expects crowds of all ages and genders and a particularly high showing from boy band lovers reminiscing on the golden pop age of the ’90s.
Graham feels that Saint Louis University students in particular will enjoy this show, not only because of its fun-loving nature and its comical parody of the boy bands of today, but also because of the underlying message.
“At heart, there is a real message of faith, family, brotherhood and doing the right thing, even when it’s not easy,” Graham said. At the core, the show teaches that “anything is possible as long as we believe in each other.”
For more information on Altar Boyz or to buy tickets via the 24-hour box online box office, visit www.repstl.org. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the box office at 968-4925.
Rush tickets are made available at the box office one half-hour prior to each performance for $8 for students, and $10 for senior adults (age 65 and older), subject to availability. A valid ID is required; one ticket per ID.
The Rep’s Off Ramp production series is performed in the Grandel Theatre, located at 3610 Grandel Square, in the Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District of St. Louis.
