Producers Ken Davenport (The Awesome '80s Prom) and Robyn Goodman (Avenue Q) are shepherding the show in this six-performance bow that, they hope, will lead to a wider commercial future.
Ryan Duncan (Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof), Cheyenne Jackson (Aida), David Josefsberg (The Joys of Sex), Andy Karl (Saturday Night, Saturday Night Fever) and Tyler Maynard (Mamma Mia!) are the young "apostles of pop" in the satiric show by Kevin Del Aguila (book) and Gary Adler & Michael Patrick Walker (songs). The piece was conceived by Marc Kessler & Ken Davenport.
Performances play the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre (The 47th Street Theatre) at 304 W. 47th Street.
"N'Sync meets Nunsense in The Altar Boyz, a new comedy about a struggling Christian boy band riding the wave of America's latest fascination with religion," according to the producers. "Armed with catchy melodies, freaky moves and product in their hair, the self anointed apostles of pop — Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan & Abraham — bring their soul-saving tour to New York City."
Sample song: "Girl, You Make Me Wanna Wait." Stafford Arima (London's Ragtime, Off Broadway's Children's Letters to God) directs, Lynne Shankel (The Thing About Men) is music director.
Designers are Anna Louizos (set), Natasha Katz (lighting), Gail Brassard (costume), Peter Hylenski (sound). Christopher Gatelli is choreographer.
The Altar Boyz plays Sept. 16, 17, 19 & 24 at 8 PM and Sept. 19 & 25 at 4:30 PM.
For ticket information, call (212) 352-3101. For more information, visit thealtarboyz.com and www.nymtf.org.
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NYMF is presenting a number of new musicals in full productions Sept. 14-Oct. 3 in midtown Manhattan. The goal of NYMF is to present a forum for dawning works as a link between readings and full commercial or regional lives. NYMF invites production-ready shows and producers into its schedule; NYMF doesn't produce the shows.
NYMF is produced under the auspices of The National Musical Theater Network, a 501(c) (3) not for profit organization. Dedicated "to discovering new works, new artists and creating new stars, NYMF will do for musical theatre what Sundance does for independent film: celebrate its diversity, creativity and future."
