Altar Boyz at Broadway Playhouse

Chicago Tribune - Recommended

"...This is a further incarnation of the original Off-Broadway hit -- still playing in New York. Although mostly cast with locally based performers, this Chicago version was zestfully staged by the original director, Stafford Arima, the original choreographer, Christopher Gattelli, and, well, you get the idea. This is a good thing. They have this show down."

Chicago Sun Times - Recommended

"...The new Chicago production that opened Sunday night at the 550-seat Drury Lane Water Tower Theater (and staged by the original New York team of director Stafford Arima and ace choreographer Christopher Gattelli) is still pumped up to high on the energy meter. The new "boyz," talented and easily likable, probably would probably serve as the ideal (if vaguely racy) antidote for all those pre-teen girls who have tea parties at nearby American Girl Place."

Daily Herald - Recommended

"...Ultimately, "Altar Boyz" works not just because it convincingly spoofs a pop-culture phenomenon. It works because it's sincere about the values it promotes. Behind the satire, there's spirituality; behind the laughs, some lessons about faith, tolerance and loyalty. And that's something that bears repeating, even to the most devout members of the choir."

SouthtownStar - Highly Recommended

"...Besides wonderful song and dance, "Altar Boyz" is filled with lots of laughs. If one is very, very, very serious about one's faith, the jokes may not go over with a bang. But for all the faithful who appreciate gentle gibes and engaging humor, this show offers much good-natured comedy."

Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Altar Boyz is the work of a gifted, unusually large creative team. Broadway performer Marc Kessler saw a Christian rock band on TV and brought the idea it inspired to producer Ken Davenport (creator of The Awesome 80s Prom). They recruited playwright Kevin Del Aguila, songwriters Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker (who worked separately, each contributing half the score’s dozen tunes), choreographer Christopher Gattelli, and director Stafford Arima, a veteran of New York, regional, and London theater and an unabashed boy-band fan."

Windy City Times - Highly Recommended

"...Both a send-up of the pop-tastic wonders of boy bands and a satire on the genre wherein prettiness is more important than vocal chops, the Altar Boyz roars from start to finish in a blaze of delightfully superficial glory."

Chicago Free Press - Highly Recommended

"...Composers Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker, along with librettist Kevin Del Aguila, have fashioned 90 intermission-less minutes of really funny material. The striking, biting humor feels at times like a “Simpsons” musical—right down to the Soul Sensor DX-12, a machine that tells the boys how many audience members need salvation. Many of the funniest bits get delivered through Christopher Gattelli’s choreography."

Gay Chicago Magazine - Highly Recommended

"...Altar Boyz is a crowd pleaser for sure. On the outside, the construct plays like a fluffy concoction of sugar and sweetness, but underneath is an intricately developed web of humor, spoofing and thought, resulting in a smartly crafted and well-executed work."

EpochTimes - Highly Recommended

"...This is a slick 90 minute musical comedy about five small town boys, in a live concert with their mission to save the world, even if they have to do it, one fan at a time. There is a lot of satire ( about boy bands), the popularity of Christian themed music and product placement/marketing of brand names. Each of the "Boyz" has his own story and the five actors who fill the stage with energy appear to have as much fun as the audience in this energetic romp with some great dancing, gymnastics and funny songs such as "Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone", "Girl You Want To Make Me Wait" and a big number "La Vida Eternal" that will knock your socks off."

Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Altar Boyz ends not a moment too soon—any longer than 90 minutes and the joke would overplay its welcome—but for anyone with a religious background and a sense of humor about it, these five triple-threat actors (a more sparkling crop than we often get in Chicago musicals) should win over plenty of converts."

ChicagoCritic - Recommended

"...This is pure escapism that the under 40 crowd will cherish. It even cracked a few chuckles from those of us over 60. If you’re looking for a show for your the 20-something friends and you can’t get a ticket to Jersey Boys—Altar Boyz will service just fine. Teens will like this show."