Matthew has been a lucky role for whoever plays it. The first Matthew, Cheyenne Jackson, who created the role at the New York Musical Theater Festival, left the show to accept the lead role in the Broadway production of All Shook Up. Scott Porter, who opened with the show Off-Broadway, recently left the production owning to a television deal and is about to begin shooting the new Ron Howard-Brian Grazer series for NBC, "Friday Night Lights," based on the 2004 film of the same name. James Royce Edwards, who previously played Luke in the pop musical comedy about a faith-based boy group, became Matthew Feb. 9. NBC has covered the nationwide search for the new Matthew, leading to the "Today" appearance.

Tyler Maynard, Andrew C. Call, Clyde Alves and Dennis Moench are currently in the New York cast.

Altar Boyz opened March 1, 2005. The 90-minute entertainment is directed by Stafford Arima and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Altar Boyz has music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila, based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport.