By Noel Smith
For 90 minutes the stage was filled with the energy, enthusiasm and antics of five performers singing and dancing accompanied by a cadre of five musicians in a musical dedicated to showing the ups and downs of religious devotion. There is a double message in this musical. First, the lyrics are true to Christian teaching about faith; that some are called to tell others about that faith, that we all are weak at times, and that Grace covers all, both saint and sinner.
The other message is in the acting and the script. This shows that we all fall short and that life and religion can be at odds with each other even among those that are called. If this sounds preachy, that is what the musical is about; faith, weakness, strength and redemption.
In addition to the message, the singing dancing and acting are all superb. The cast demonstrates the variety of people drawn to Christ. How that even when they greatly differ in their personality, background and in their personal problems, they can find a common bond in their faith.
Matthew (Jamen Nanthakumar) is the sincere leader trying to keep it all together. Mark (Curtis Reynolds) is the outrageous one using double entendre and his body language to put a spin on every utterance and movement. Juan (Brian Conway) is the strutting macho man who shows that we all have a soft spot. Luke (Jomar Martinez) is the one with a chip on his shoulder ready to take offence but trying with the help of his friends to control it. Abraham (Jordan Craig Sidfield) is the innocent intellectual willing to trust and take the world and the Bible at its word. The Altar Boyz all have their individual weaknesses and strengths that bring them together in times of stress and tragedy even then they momentarily lose sight of the goal.
If you enjoy exuberance, energy as well as good singing, dancing and acting that make the ninety minutes just fly by and leave you feeling good as you leave the theater, Alter Boyz is worth the offering… ehr, uh, the price of admission.