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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2008 > June > 26
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Review: ‘Altar Boyz’
“Altar Boyz” is about as indestructible as a musical gets. And in its current production at Zach Scott Theatre, running through July 13 the show is no less failproof as light, frothy entertainment.
After all what’s not entertaining about the 90-minute the satirical, concert-style, boy-band musical? Of course, it’s ultra-thin even as thin entertainments go. (Though try telling that to the legions of so-called ‘Altar-holics’ whose Web site unites a world-wide fanbase for the show. The original Off-Broadway hit is still playing in New York.) And Zach director Dave Steakley keeps that lightness while maintaining the needed level of energy to keep this ultimate pop culture spoof going.
Of course much of that energy comes from super-energetic and talented cast: Dario Nolfi, Christopher Hartman, Mark Christine, Joshua Cruz and James De La Rosa. They know that to sustain a convincing satire of a mid-1980s boy band, you have to sing and dance as intensely and with as much conviction as the real things did. And they know you have to take the earnest, if not always bright, characters seriously if they’re to be at all engaging.
Especially wickedly funny is Case Dillard’s recreation of Christopher Gattelli’s choreography from the original ‘Altar Boyz’ production. The goofy over-stylized, ultimately clunky moves that are more male cheerleading and pantomiming than they are dance? This show nailed it — as a brilliant satire, that is.
Backed by an equally punchy quartet of musicians, the cast also convincingly plays as if the show on Zach Kleberg’s stage were an actual live concert. And the deliberately cheesy special effects — way too much stage smoke, swirling spotlights — helped.
“Altar Boyz” may be little more than a bubbly musical romp, but it’s an entertaining and sweetly satirical romp.
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