Altar Boyz (Original Cast Recording)

An account of a struggling Christian boy-band Altar Boyz, hailed as "high-octane entertainment" (TALKIN’ BROADWAY), ALTAR BOYZ tells the holy inspiring story of 5 small-town boys – Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham – trying to save the world one screaming fan at a time. Their pious pop act, including lyrics like "Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait" and "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone," worked wonders on the Ohio bingo-hall-and-pancake breakfast circuit. But when fate brings them to New York, will the boyz take a bite out of the forbidden apple? With angelic voices, sinfully spectacular dancing and a touching story, ALTAR BOYZ is destined to rock the masses of all denominations!

Altar Boyz may ride on a single idea, but that idea is brilliantly carried through: What if there was an openly Christian boy band? Because the show's success depends on that one concept, every detail has to be perfec--and it is. Each member of the titular quintet is typecast--the Hispanic one, the gangsta one, the could-be-gay one, etc.--and the singers perfectly ape the perky 'N Sync/American Idol style, easily navigating between yelping pleading and bombastic bravado. The booklet even comes complete with lengthy, smarmy thanks from the Boyz ("big props to the Big Man in the sky"). As for the music, it's drenched in cheesy synths and appropriately catchy: Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker (contributing six songs each) may have gleefully nailed the genre's inane lyrics, but they didn't forget the melodies either. --Elisabeth Vincentelli