For Immediate Release: October 24, 2006
Media Contact: Ellen Gilbert, Theatre League of Philadelphia/The Merriam Theater, 215.732.5997

Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Joe McGinnis, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket, proudly announce that Matthew Buckner (as Matthew), Ryan J Ratliff (Mark), Jesse JP Johnson (Luke), Jay Garcia (Juan) and Nick Blaemire (Abraham – he’s Jewish!) will star in Altar Boyz when it stops at the Merriam Theater at 250 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia from Tuesday, November 28 through Sunday, December 3, 2006 as part of the Broadway Across America – Philadelphia 06-07 Season. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through authorized sellers found only at the Merriam Theater Box Office at 250 S. Broad Street, all Ticketmaster Outlets, by phone at 215-336-1234 and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Philadelphia.

Altar Boyz, the acclaimed musical comedy now in its second year Off-Broadway at New World Stages in NYC, 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! It was also recently awarded the Audience Award for Favorite Long Running Musical from Broadway.com. 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.

Among the devoted fans of Altar Boyz, known as Altarholics, are such bold-faced names as Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live"), Anthony Rapp and Rosario Dawson (Rent film), Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriquez ("Queer Eye"), Christine Ebersole, Frances Sternhagen (“Cheers”), Cynthia Nixon, David Hyde Pierce, Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors), Jason Kidd (NJ Nets), Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees), Jennifer Ferrin (“As The World Turns”), Jerry Mitchell, Joan Rivers, John Kander (Cabaret, Chicago), Kathy Bates, Kevin Bacon, Liza Minnelli, Maria Friedman and Michael Ball (Woman in White), Mario Cantone, Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd), Ricky Paull Goldin (“Guiding Light”), Rosie O'Donnell, Simon Russell Beale, Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime), Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), Stephen Sondheim, Terrence McNally, Tommy Tune, Trevor Penick (O-Town), Twyla Tharp and countless others who have seen the show over and over. For all the backstage news, visit www.altarholics.com.

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.

Showtimes for Altar Boyz are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and range in price from $20-$49.50. Purchase tickets only from an authorized ticket seller at the Merriam Theater Box Office at 250 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia, all Ticketmaster Outlets, by phone at 215-336-1234 in PA, 856-338-9000 in NJ, or 302-984-2000 in DE, or at www.ticketmaster.com and www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Philadelphia.

Altar Boyz is sponsored locally by CBS3, KYW NEWSRADIO, and RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE.

This production is presented as part of the Broadway Across America – Philadelphia 06-07 Season at the Merriam Theater. For season ticket information call 888-451-5761.

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of 51 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over 5 million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. Broadway Across America is a division of Live Nation (NYSE: LYV), a leading live content and distribution company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, corporations and fans. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

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