Five boys are on tour to bring their infectious snap-happy tunes to the audience, in order to save each and every last soul in da house. One’s even rocking a yarmulke, yet by the time the 90 minute (no intermission) musical romp comes to an end, everyone’s on the same team.
Their mission is to praise the Lord with funk and rhyme. The show opens with a final stop on their Raise the Praise tour – Vancouver.
[Michael Culp, Brandyn Eddy, Geoff Stevens, Jak Barradell, Jeremy Crittenden, post-show]
I was at last night’s packed opening together with fellow theatre lovers to enjoy a show that returns to Vancouver following a successful 2009 run.
The Altar Boyz is a sinfully funny adventure into a Christian boy band from Ohio, complete with a Sony DX12 soul machine and smoke. These talented actors (Jak Barradell, Jeremy Crittenden, Michael Culp, Brandyn Eddy and Geoff Stevens) each have something to bring to the group, and show off their particular characteristics brilliantly.
[Jeremy Crittenden, Michael Culp, Geoff Stevens, Jak Baraddell, Brandyn Eddy]
Harmonizing is also one of the band’s greatest strengths. As are the hilarious lyrics that are set to the show’s music, from rap to ballads.
Jesus Called Me on My Cell Phone is just one of the highlights of the show, though Something About You had the audience tearing with laughter.
[Geoff Stevens, Jak Baraddell, Jeremy Crittenden, Brandyn Eddy, Michael Culp]
The costumes are up to date, typical boy band attire, with Matthew (Crittenden) posing as the fanciest of the boyz, wearing a tie with his shirt and jeans. A four piece band (Jim Hodgkinson, Musical Director/keyboards, Buff Allen/drums, Doug Balfour/keyboards, David Sinclair/guitar) off to the side of the stage help to round out the entertainment. Look closely: they too share riotous glances at once another and at the band. At one point, we noticed them wearing birthday hats.
[Jak Baraddell, Geoff Stevens, Michael Culp, Jeremy Crittenden, Brandyn Eddy]
This is a “back by popular demand” Arts Club Theatre production with a slightly different cast than in 2009 and is directed by Bill Millerd, Artistic Managing Director of the Arts Club Theatre Company. Altar Boyz ran off-Broadway from 2005 to 2010, becoming that stage’s 9th longest running musical of all time. It’s actually based on a book by Kevin Del Aguila, with music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker. Another key person to high five is choreographer Sara-Jeanne Hosie, an Arts Club audience favourite.
Light, escapist entertainment at its best, this show is one that I highly recommend taking in. The Altar Boyz drop their funky beats through September 1 at Granville Island’s Revue Stage. Tickets can be purchased through the Arts Club.
All photos by David Cooper.