By Laurie DuPaul

Special contributor

The Arundel Barn Playhouse just off Route 1 in Arundel presents “Altar Boyz,” a Maine premiere, directed and choreographed by Daniel Haley. 

The creators of Altar Boyz, Ken Davenport and Mark Kessler, have a unique connection to the playhouse. Both Davenport and Kessler appeared in “Forever Plaid” at the Arundel Barn Playhouse in 1998 and 1999. Their production of Altar Boyz continues to be sold out in New York City and won the Outer Circle Critics Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical.

With each new production at the playhouse, it is with anticipation that theater attendees step through the entrance to find a complete makeover on the stage. This time is no different as the playhouse has been transformed into a concert stage with staging, lights, and musicians. Joshua D. Smith, as musical director and first pianist, is joined by Nicholas Place as second pianist, Michael Dion from Biddeford as percussionist, and Tony Michaud, a teacher at Kennebunk Elementary School, on guitar.

 Who are the Altar Boyz? Audiences that have attended the theater this summer will be delighted that Ken Clark (Matthew, The Leader) who played “everyone else” in “SUDS” and most recently Ko-Ko in “The Mikado” is the leader of the band. Ryan Heldenreich (Luke, The Bad Boy), who was entertaining in “Godspell” and “The Mikado,” sings “Body, Mind and Soul” while amusing the audience with his antics. Using the parable from the book of Matthew “and why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye,” Heldenreich has the audience erupt with laughter but provides a clear understanding to the meaning of the parable.

 Darren Bluestone (Mark) who began the summer at the Arundel Barn Playhouse as Jesus in “Godspell,” in this production brings laughter to the crowd as he performs “Epiphany.” Listen carefully to the lyrics and hear segments that take you back to another era. Peter Marinaro (Juan) appeared as Pish-Tush (a noble) in “The Mikado.” In Altar Boyz, his character’s childhood follows him and is revealed as he sings “La Vida Eternal.”

Ryan Wonnacott (Abraham) performed in “The Mikado” and joins the Altar Boyz, a Christian boy band, as the fifth member and is Jewish. His rendition of “Everybody Fits” is entertaining especially when the puppets arrive.

Why have the Altar Boyz come to the Arundel Barn Playhouse? To win souls. How will they know if they do? Through technology. On stage is the “Soul Sensor DX-12,” a machine that actually can tell if a soul has been won. 

If you are looking for an evening of laughter and a show for all ages – even your teenager – this is one not to miss. Altar Boyz will get the whole family laughing and everyone will be entertained by modern dance moves and lyrics that sometimes have a twist.

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. with Wednesday matinees at 2 p.m., one 2 p.m. Friday matinee on Aug. 14 and one Sunday evening performance Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. Prices range from $28 to $39. To make reservations, call 985-5552.