Altar Boyz National Tour Opens in L.A. February 13

Altar Boyz, starring Matthew Buckner (as Matthew), Ryan J Ratliff (Mark), Jesse JP Johnson (Luke), Jay Garcia (Juan) and Nick Blaemire (Abraham) will kick off a two-week engagement at The Wadsworth Theatre (11301 Wilshire Blvd.) in Los Angeles tonight.

Expected at this evening's opening are: Anna Maria Alberghetti, Laura Benanti, Mr. Blackwell, Dick Gautier, Anne Jeffreys, Michelle Lee, Donna Mills, Doris Roberts, Anne Rutherford, Shadoe Stevens, Mike Stoller, Susan Sullivan, Marcia Wallace, and Esther Williams.

The tour continues on to San Diego, San Francisco (4 weeks!), Tempe, Honolulu, Pittsburgh, and Wilmington.

"Altar Boyz, the acclaimed musical comedy now in its second year Off-Broadway at New World Stages, is the winner of the coveted Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Off-Broadway, and the longest running new musical comedy to open in New York in years..  Full of sharp parody, sinfully spectacular dancing, and irreverent humor, this spoof about a heavenly guy-group is adored by audiences and critics alike.  With an extraordinary mix of side-splitting songs 'convincing enough to be played on MTV,' uncontrollable laughs and lighthearted fun, this award-winning and totally original new musical is 90 minutes of pure delight that's suitable for all ages and will have the whole family laughing and singing along," according to production notes.

Altar Boyz is directed by Stafford Arima and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Altar Boyz has music & lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila, based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport. Tickets for the tour of Altar Boyz as well as the New York production may be ordered toll-free at 877-ABOYZ-411.   For more information, visit www.altarboyz.com.  For backstage news, visit www.altarholics.com.