#1
Posted: 4/26/05 at 11:53pm
While I have only heard enthusiastic responses to this show, I can't say that truly comprehend what all the buzz was, and is about. No doubt, it's a high-energy, "fun" (depending on your definition of the word "fun") evening - and trust me, I didn't go to this show looking to walk out a changed person. I thought I'd get that out there since whenever I don't positively review a show, people say I'm an "elitist" or just don't like fun things. Clearly, this is not true.
Given, the cast is all (for the most part) very talented. However in a show like this, that talent will only carry the show for so long. How many songs can you sing that are all basically saying the same exact thing? There are only so many "funny" words you can play with when singing about religion. There are only so many laughs you're going to get from people who still find the redundance funny. The songs are all generally upbeat and nice to listen to, however I find it hard to believe that they're going to be recording this. Is anyone actually going to sit there and listen to these religious songs? I say religious because when not onstage and when not seeing the obvious camp behind everything, it's just like a Christian rock album. The "jokes" won't translate.
The one standout in the cast is the fantastic David Josefsberg. The only one I had heard anything about was Tyler Maynard, and how hysterical he is. This might be news to me, but since when is acting like an over-the-top flaming homosexual funny? Does he think he's in a drag show? When doing something like that, it gets to a point where it's not funny anymore and it starts getting obnoxious - which was exactly what he was 5 minutes into the show. A fabulous dancer, but I swear - if he delivered one more line blankly then turned to smile at the audience I would have vomited. How acting like that onstage gets you award nomination(s) is beyond me. Josefsberg, as Abraham, was the only genuinely sincere Altar Boy, and he has the best voice out of the group.
Tyler Maynard does, however, deserve an honorable mention only for the ending of his only big number, Epiphany, when he literally embodies Jennifer Holliday the last few seconds and surprised the hell out of me - I almost choked on my gum, it's that dead-on. Sadly, his performance never transcends obnoxious camp, but I would be delighted to go to any drag-karaoke bar in New York City and hear him sing "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," but only if he promises not to fix his hair.
I was very upset that I didn't truly enjoy this show, but it literally got to the point where it stopped being funny and started to get grating - and that was less than half way through.
While the other performers, the adequate voiced Scott Porter, the likeable Andy Karl, and the unintelligible Ryan Duncan, all provide high energy, none of them seem to make this material work. And I hesitate when I use the word material. Nearly all of the jokes are things you've heard before - but don't worry, you hear most of them twice in this show.
How many references to a crucifix can you have? And when does mocking the overly-religious youth cross the line of mockery and camp into preaching? Clearly, no one involved with ALTAR BOYZ knows this answer, but I know I do. And the answer? Somewhere in the second number.
Given, the cast is all (for the most part) very talented. However in a show like this, that talent will only carry the show for so long. How many songs can you sing that are all basically saying the same exact thing? There are only so many "funny" words you can play with when singing about religion. There are only so many laughs you're going to get from people who still find the redundance funny. The songs are all generally upbeat and nice to listen to, however I find it hard to believe that they're going to be recording this. Is anyone actually going to sit there and listen to these religious songs? I say religious because when not onstage and when not seeing the obvious camp behind everything, it's just like a Christian rock album. The "jokes" won't translate.
The one standout in the cast is the fantastic David Josefsberg. The only one I had heard anything about was Tyler Maynard, and how hysterical he is. This might be news to me, but since when is acting like an over-the-top flaming homosexual funny? Does he think he's in a drag show? When doing something like that, it gets to a point where it's not funny anymore and it starts getting obnoxious - which was exactly what he was 5 minutes into the show. A fabulous dancer, but I swear - if he delivered one more line blankly then turned to smile at the audience I would have vomited. How acting like that onstage gets you award nomination(s) is beyond me. Josefsberg, as Abraham, was the only genuinely sincere Altar Boy, and he has the best voice out of the group.
Tyler Maynard does, however, deserve an honorable mention only for the ending of his only big number, Epiphany, when he literally embodies Jennifer Holliday the last few seconds and surprised the hell out of me - I almost choked on my gum, it's that dead-on. Sadly, his performance never transcends obnoxious camp, but I would be delighted to go to any drag-karaoke bar in New York City and hear him sing "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going," but only if he promises not to fix his hair.
I was very upset that I didn't truly enjoy this show, but it literally got to the point where it stopped being funny and started to get grating - and that was less than half way through.
While the other performers, the adequate voiced Scott Porter, the likeable Andy Karl, and the unintelligible Ryan Duncan, all provide high energy, none of them seem to make this material work. And I hesitate when I use the word material. Nearly all of the jokes are things you've heard before - but don't worry, you hear most of them twice in this show.
How many references to a crucifix can you have? And when does mocking the overly-religious youth cross the line of mockery and camp into preaching? Clearly, no one involved with ALTAR BOYZ knows this answer, but I know I do. And the answer? Somewhere in the second number.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
You completely have to believe in what you're doing, saying, and singing, and these boyz do. That's what I enjoyed about it. That, and the music is catchy. You have to understand what you're going into, as well. It's not an exotic beautiful Sondheim piece, and its not Andrew Lloyd Weber crap, either. It's just a fun musical. 
