Closer to the Supreme(s) Being: Altar Boyz Tour Launches in Motown Sept. 6

By Kenneth Jones
06 Sep 2005

Altar Boyz, the spoofy musical comedy concept concert featuring a fictional Christian pop group, makes its first appearance outside of Manhattan with a new touring production at Detroit's City Theatre, starting Sept. 6.

"Armed with catchy melodies, divine moves and product in their hair, Altar Boyz is a new, acclaimed and hilarious, holy-inspiring musical comedy about five small-town boys – Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham – trying to save the world one screaming fan at a time," the producers announced anew. "Their amusingly pious pop act…worked wonders on their Ohio bingo-hall-and-pancake-breakfast circuit. Now they're headed for their big break."

Directed by Stafford Arima and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who repeat their Off-Broadway work, the Motown production (on the turf of the Supremes and Eminem) features Corey Boardman (Matthew), Zach Hannah (Mark), Chad Mitchell (Juan), Andrew C. Call (Luke), Eric Schneider (Abraham), Stephen Schellhardt (swing), DJ Gregory (swing), and Shadoe Stevens as the voice of G.O.D.

Altar Boyz won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Off-Broadway. The New York production is still running at Dodger Stages. The City Theatre in Detroit is the former Second City Theatre venue, next door to the Fox Theatre on Woodward Avenue. Performances continue there to Dec. 18. Opening night is Sept. 8.

Altar Boyz has a score by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila, based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport. The creative team includes scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Gail Brassard, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Simon Matthews. Bryan Perri is Motown music director. Lynne Shankel is co-orchestrator with Doug Katsaros.

The producers of Altar Boyz are Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Walt Grossman, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket.

Tickets are now on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased by calling (248) 645-6666, at www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Fisher Theatre and City Theatre box offices.

For more information, visit www.altarboyz.com.