Altar Boyz Is Heading to the Silver Screen

By Andrew Gans
and Adam Hetrick
December 18, 2009

Playbill.com has learned that Tony-winning Avenue Q librettist Jeff Whitty is in talks to pen the screenplay for the film adaptation of the Off-Broadway musical comedy Altar Boyz, which ends its lengthy run at New World Stages Jan. 10, 2010.

Whitty would adapt the script with the show's creators. Some new music will also be penned for the movie musical, which is scheduled to begin pre-production in the spring.

A 2005 Outer Critics Circle winner, Altar Boyz is directed by Stafford Arima with choreography by Christopher Gattelli. Originally birthed as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Altar Boyz opened Off-Broadway March 1, 2005.

Altar Boyz, about a Christian boy band, has music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila. The musical is based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport.

Altar Boyz, capitalized at $1 million, has gone on to enjoy several national tours, as well as numerous regional and international mountings. The musical recouped its investment in early 2008.

Whitty's other current projects include Bring It On: The Musical, an original musical set in the world of competitive cheerleading; and a musical version of Tales of the City.

New World Stages is located at 340 West 50th Street, just west of Eighth Avenue. Tickets are available at Telecharge or at (212) 239-6200.