Jason Celaya Cast as Matthew in Altar Boyz; Begins Performances April 3

Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Walt Grossman, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket, have announced that after an exhaustive nationwide search, Jason Celaya has been cast as Matthew in the New York company of Altar Boyz, beginning April 3rd. The search and Celaya's ultimate casting was featured on NBC's "Today Show" on Thursday March 23rd.

Celaya replaces James Royce Edwards, who in turn succeeded original Matthew Scott Porter. Corey Boardman plays the role prior to Celaya's stepping into Altar Boyz.

Celayawill make his NYC debut in the show. Regional credits include Annie Get Your Gun (Frank), West Side Story (Bernardo), Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka), and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph). He danced with Origins dance company, and has choreographed for other dance companies all over the nation, as well as for the Utah Jazz Girls (NBA). He also recorded with Sony Records. Television credits include "Everwood," "Touched by an Angel," and the Disney channel original, "Personal Private Journal."

"Altar Boyz, the acclaimed musical comedy at New World Stages, winner of the coveted Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Off-Broadway, is the longest running new musical comedy to open in New York in years, having just celebrated its first anniversary! 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," state press notes.

Altar Boyz opens April 12th at ChungMu Art Hall, Seoul, Korea; a national tour kicks off in the fall, playing Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among other cities.

Altar Boyz also features Tyler Maynard, Andrew C. Call, Clyde Alves and Dennis Moench. The show, which is directed by Stafford Arima and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, features music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila, based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport.

Performances are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm & 7pm, at New World Stages, formerly Dodger Stages, (340 West 50th Street, just west of Eighth Avenue). Tickets are $25 to $75. ($1 Restoration charge included). Tickets may be ordered online at www.telecharge.com or by phone at 212/239-6200. For more information, visit www.altarboyz.com.