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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Resurrected ‘Altar
Boyz’ makes a joyful noise<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
review appeared in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News-Herald
</I></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">on
1/21/11 (online 1/17/11)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>One of the signs of the
Apocalypse is when culture collapses. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Yeah, I made that
up.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Still, many consider the
replacement of the fine arts with lawn gnome sculptures and paintings on velvet
an abomination on par with pestilence and famine.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So is Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans
silkscreen, which mixes abstract expressionism with blatant commercialism. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Add to the list Broadway musicals that
are based on films that are based on comic book
heroes.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>OK, maybe not pestilence,
but that doesn’t make these artificial artifacts less incongruous or disturbing
to some or, for that matter, less attractive and intriguing to
others.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The ultimate culture
crash was the boy bands of the 1990s.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Prepackaged and highly
commercialized, all-White boy bands such as New Kids on the Block, Back Street
Boys and N’ Sync pilfered R & B, gospel music, dance moves and street slang
from all-Black bands like New Edition, All 4 One and Boyz II Men.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This resulted in soulless but heartfelt
ballads sung with intricate <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">a
cappella</I> harmonies and highly stylized, overly choreographed up-beat anthems
that took the country’s teen population by storm and left others in a dazed
stupor.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>After selling hundreds of
millions of albums, these groups vanished into
obscurity.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>From this blip on the
nation’s pop culture radar and the contemporary Christian music movement that
surfaced shortly thereafter emerged <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Altar
Boyz</I>, a sweetly satirical off-Broadway sendoff of the boy
band.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>With <SPAN
class=apple-style-span>music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick
Walker, and story by Kevin Del Aguila, </SPAN><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Altar Boyz</I> features five born-again and
broadly drawn songsters—choirboy M<SPAN class=apple-style-span>atthew,
effeminate Mark, bad boy Luke , token Hispanic Juan and Jew-for-Jesus
Abraham—touring the nation </SPAN>to promote their corporate sponsors and their
Lord and savior.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This musical
comedy is staged as a live concert, with the storyline worked into song
introductions and the banter between musical
numbers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>As do many plays built on
parody, this 90 minute, one-act production could easily lapse into a one-trick
gimmick that feels 80 minutes too long.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Its saving grace is a clever script and moving music, which renders the
playful proselytizing harmless to those who do not imbibe.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It adds humor and poignancy in all the
right places and when needed most.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>In 2008, this production
was brought to the Beck Center for the Arts stage in Lakewood. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was a box office smash, due in large
part to the charm and talents of its featured players, the superb direction,
technical design and musical direction by Scott Spence, Trad A Burns and Larry
Goodpaster, respectively, and the tongue-in-cheek choreography of Hernando
Cortez.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Currently on stage at the
Hanna Theatre in PlayhouseSquare is a resurrection of this Beck Center
production complete with the original creative team, save for one cast
member.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Time has been good to this
production, for it is a mature and beautifully synchronized piece of work right
out of the gate (despite some technical glitches).<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><FONT size=3><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Altar Boyz</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> is an energetic, absorbing, non-stop
entertainment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><A href=""><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Josh Rhett
Noble</SPAN></A>, <A href=""><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Connor O'Brien</SPAN></A>,
<A href=""><SPAN style="COLOR: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Dan
Grgic</SPAN></A>, Ryan Jagru and new kid Matthew Ryan Thompson (who recently
played his role of Mark in another local production) are top-notch
performers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their harmonies are
gorgeous, their stage presence is intoxicating, their dancing is unselfconscious
and joyful, and their rapport is genuine.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The boys complement each
other perfectly and blend their singular skills to form the ensemble boy band
collective needed for this production.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>However, at various points in the play each one of the five is given a
solo number to perform.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>While they
are all strong, the performance delivered by Matthew Ryan Thompson’s in the
eleventh hour number “Epiphany” is worth singling out.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a brilliantly conceived song
delivered with incredible vocal dexterity and
heart.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>So authentic are these
portrayals and so true to the concert scene is this production that the opening
weekend audience was peppered with now-mature former boy band groupies who
apparently follow this play and its players with pre-pubescent fervor.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The timing for this
production of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Altar Boyz</I> couldn’t be
better, considering that members of the original New Kids on the Block and Back
Street Boys have resurfaced, reunited and joined forces for a 2011 NKOTBSB
national tour.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yes, the boy band is
back—at the Hanna Theatre and in concert halls around the country (including
Quicken Loans Arena July 27).<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Apocalypse
now.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: #fcfcfc"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Altar
Boyz </SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">continues through
January 30 at PlayhouseSquare’s Hanna Theatre in downtown Cleveland.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For tickets, which range from $10 to
$39.50, call 216-241-6000 or visit <A href=""><FONT
color=#253c87>www.playhousesquare.org</FONT></A><B>.<o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>