Altar Boyz
The Repertory Theater of St. Louis' Off Ramp Series
Grandel Theater
Through October 7 

Having pursued a singing career for a number of years I have a definite loathing of the phenomenon known as the “Boy Band”. Or the pre-fab girl band, for that matter. Pussycat Dolls? I don’t think so. So I called my friend and former drummer, Aaron, who also loathes these pustules on the face of pop culture, and asked him to go to a musical that made as much fun of them as we do. Altar Boyz, is a hilarious look at a Christian boy band attempting to save souls through the “glory of pop music.”

Altar Boyz is part of the Repertory Theater of St. Louis’ Off Ramp series, which features new and edgy material. The Rep Set, their young friends group, just happened to be throwing a little soiree at Reggie’s Backstage before the show. I have to say they all made us feel very welcome as we arrived. Some of the more active members of the group were quick to introduce us to everyone there. The price of our ticket included the party, a free drink, yummy munchies and our entrance to the show. We chatted with everyone as the eighties music played in the background, and then we all walked over to the theater together. Everyone who went to the party was seated in the same section of the theater, so we got to continue our evening with our new friends. P.S. You can also buy a cocktail in the lobby and take it with you to your seat! I do love that! Especially when the show you are seeing is staged like a rock concert!

Altar Boyz identifies the ridiculous in the boy band formula and adds a religious spin. A cross between a revival and a rock show, it pokes fun at everyone from N’Sync to Jerry Falwell. You are invited to confess your sins in the lobby – no, there’s no priest, but you can write them down on a card and be cleansed. (Just don’t write anything you wouldn’t want the whole audience to know…) Before we knew it, it was time for Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan, and Abraham to take the stage for the last night of their “Raise the Praise” tour. Each a caricature fit for a teen mag, with the dance moves to go along with it, they sing songs about Jesus calling on a cell phone, how they will “get the hell out” of the audience tonight, and Matt liking a girl so much he has to sing to her “Girl, you make me wanna wait. “ Along the way, we learn that the Boyz may not be as perfect as they seem. The songs are the stars of the show, and really deliver the punch lines. There are many moments that are scathingly funny. And because of the religious subject matter, I felt oh so sinful laughing at them. Which made them even more delicious!

The show was hysterically funny and pretty short, (an hour and a half). Which Aaron felt were “two good qualities in a musical.” Appropriately enough, when we got in the car, the ultimate boy  band was on the radio. The Jackson 5. Let’s dance, let’s shout, shake your body down to the ground… maybe pop music really can save your soul.