“I believe that I came to know you for a reason.”

Michael Patrick Walker, Lyricist
"Whizzes by with the help of smooth direction"
Charles McNulty
Los Angeles Times
"Slickly staged"
Michael Feingold
The Village Voice
"Marvelous combination of broad comedy and playing it straight... 21st century vaudeville"
Ettore Toppi
New York Blade
"Correct tone of sexy wholesomeness, subtly interlaced with satire."
Michael Sommers
The Star-Ledger
"Directs at an appropriately breathless pace"
David Rooney
Variety
"Minimal plot... director Stafford Arima wisely makes sure doesn't outwear its welcome."
Michael Kuchwara
AP Associate Press
"Tight and updates staging... taut production is assured"
Paul Birchall
LA Weekly

Director's Note

This bowl-of-sunshine of a musical holds a special place in my heart. Not only was it my directorial debut in New York City, but I also met a special group of people on it that, to this day, I still call friends. 

The journey of Altar Boyz was years in the making, however, the “sturm und drang” of getting the show from the page to the stage proved how passionate producers and the rich talents of a group of authors and a handful of performers could make it happen.

A black and white photo of Stafford Arima standing with his arms crossed in dramatic lighting

Awards

Winner — Outer Critics Circle Award
Best Off-Broadway Musical

7x Nominee — Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Musical
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Outstanding Music
Outstanding Lyrics 
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Orchestrations

Nominee — Lucille Lortel Award
Outstanding Musical

Nominee — Drama League Award
Distinguished Production of a Musical

Nominee — Joe A. Callaway Award
Best Direction

Resources

Original Cast Recording
Altar Boyz
Available on:
Vocal Selections
Altar Boyz
Available on:

Credits

Original Off-Broadway Production 

Book: Kevin Del Aguila

Music & Lyrics: Gary Adler & Michael Patrick Walker

Conceived by: Marc Kessler & Ken Davenport

Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli

Musical Director: Lynne Shankel

Set: Anna Louizos

Lighting: Natasha Katz

Costumes: Gail Brassard

Sound: Simon Matthews

Produced by:

Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Walt Grossman,

Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket.

Theatre: Dodger/New World Stages