Altar Boyz opened in New York in March 2005, where it is still playing strong. I saw it in 2006 and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fresh, funny and full of peppy, danceable pop songs. The national tour of this musical about a religious boy band has now stopped at the Majestic Theater here in Dallas.

Kevin Del Aguila's hilarious book takes us to the final concert of this boy band that includes Matthew (the Justin Timberlake of the band); Luke, the bad boy who just got out of rehab for "exhaustion" (think A.J. McClean or Joey Fatone); Juan, he ethnic one; Abraham, the Jewish one; and Mark (the Lance Bass of the band). Aguila's rip-roaring book shows us how they met, how they deal with love, friendship and bad influences, and how god works in their lives. All with side-splitting music and book.

Since the musical involves religion, I will start off with a confession. I am, and have always been, addicted to boy bands. I am a fan of NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees (but hey, I stop at O-Town). Gary Alder and Michael Patrick Walker's music and lyrics pay homage to that bubblegum, pop-infused music that boy bands sing, from tight harmonies to notes that wail all over the music sheet. There are also some hysterical lyrics.

One of the major reasons why the musical is so enjoyable is Christopher Gattelli's superb choreography, which is a cornucopia of sizzling, dazzling hip hop, pop, crunk and good ol' Broadway jazz. It is wicked, fierce and uproarious.

Surprisingly, I think the majority of this cast is much funnier and enjoyable than the New York company I saw. As Matthew, the leader of the group, Matthew Buckner is the complete package: chiseled features, major biceps, and a beautiful set of tenor vocal pipes. Squeezed into a very tight black shirt and jeans, he made several women (and men) swoon throughout the evening. His best number is the sweet ballad he sings to a female audience member that he pulls onto the stage. His tenor voice is exquisite. Buckner is simply terrific in this production.

Jesse JP Johnson receives loud laughs from the audience for his portrayal of Luke, the bad boy who is in recovery. Johnson parlays his talents into a rap song that is a solid hit. Adding a layer of being not too bright only generates more laughter. With a combination of Marky Mark and deer in the headlights, Johnson wins the audience approval with his mirthful characterization.

As Abraham, the only Jew in a Catholic boy band, Nick Blaemire is brilliant and hilarious. His comic timing and facial expressions are in perfect unison, which works wonderfully with his characterization. While Blaemire may not possess the strongest singing voice in the bunch, his performance is nonetheless impressive.

While Jay Garcia had his moments as Juan, he seems a couple of steps behind the others in comedic delivery and timing. One problem could be that the role is written too generic and stereotyped, boxing in Garcia on what he can do with the role. Don't get me wrong, Garcia was highly enjoyable, it's just that he could have gone much further with the role and the comedy (especially the subtext).

With the best performance of the cast, Ryan J Ratliff steals the show as Mark. No matter what he did, the audience roared with laughter. Ratliff's facial expressions alone had me laughing. His comedic timing, pace and delivery hit the comic bull's eye throughout the evening, never once missing its target. One of the best songs of the night is Ratliff's "Epiphany," an 11 o'clock torch ballad about admitting something about yourself to others. Ratliff brings to the stage some Whitney Houston (right down to the sweating and towel) and a dash of Mariah Carey, and he ends with some major Effie White from Dreamgirls. His performance is hilarious from beginning to end.

As a group, many of the numbers are hysterical with sublime choreography, such as "We Are the Alter Boyz," "The Calling," "Rhythm in Me," "La Vida Eternal," and "Number 918."

Altar Boyz> has it all: a marvelous book and score, fantastic choreography, crystal clean vocals with sublime harmonies, and a sensational cast whose energy will blow the roof off the Majestic! Don't miss it!

Dallas Summer Musicals' Broadway Contemporary Series Presents the Award-Winning Musical Comedy Smash Hit-

Altar Boyz National Tour)
The Majestic Theatre, Dallas Texas
Through January 21, 2007
Book by Kevin Del Aguila
Music & Lyrics by Gary Adler & Michael Patrick Walker
Directed by Stafford Arima
Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli

CAST:

Matthew……………......…..Matthew Buckner
Mark………………......……...Ryan J Ratliff
Luke…………………........….Jesse JP Johnson
Juan…………………….......….Jay Garcia
Abraham………….......………Nick Blaemire

--John Garcia