Will The Altar Boyz go to heaven?
Posted By www.BoyAbunda.net on April 3, 2008
Here’s good news from theater director and good friend Chari Arespacochaga.
The Altar Boyz, an off-Broadway sensation and winner of the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, rocks Philippine stage this month. The Altar Boyz is the story about four young heartthrobs Mathew, Mark, Luke and Juan who dream of making it on MTV as a Christian band. And together with a fifth member, the Jewish Abraham, the Altar Boyz travel all over the world to pursue their ultimate mission of saving souls. The Altar Boyz sings, serenades, flirts and hip hops, while praising the Lord. And they are set to rock Masses of all denominations right here in Manila.
Five young actors have been assembled to play the Altar Boyz: PJ Valerio in the role of Matthew, Red Concepcion as Mark, Ryu as Luke, Reb Atadero as Juan and Chevy Mercado as Abraham. Here’s a quick conversation with the boys:
If you were to save one soul, who would it be?
Red Concepcion: I’d definitely save my little sister, Gem. She’s one of the most important people of my life, and I wouldn’t want to spend eternity without my baby sister.
PJ Valerio: I would save a righteous person who has committed a sin. If a believer sins, we should pray for him.
Ryu: I’ll save my own. If I can save myself only then can I save others.
Reb Atadero: An innocent person on death row. Since he or she is innocent, it makes sense for him or her to spend eternal life in heaven.
Chevy Mercado: I would want to save my own soul. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life that I’m not sure if I have been forgiven but I’m trying.
Will you go to heaven or hell?
Red: Heaven. I’m a son of God!
PJ: Well, no matter how good or bad I think I am, it’s still God’s decision if I go to heaven or to the lakes of fire. Only He can judge. I can’t judge myself.
Ryu: Aw come on! No purgatory?! Dammit!
Reb: I don’t think that’s for me to decide. I think it will be better to ask God Himself.
Chevy: Heaven. I believe in God and I know that He exists and I love Him with all my heart.
If you were to go to heaven, who would you want to see there?
Red: My brothers, Sam and Kevin, and my little sister Gem. It’s been a blast living on earth with them, it will be great if we could share heaven’s awesomeness together!
PJ: God of course! I want to see our creator. I can’t guarantee myself that I’ll get to see any of my departed loved ones.
Ryu: Jesus Christ. I have a lot of questions to ask.
Reb: I would want to see my grandma who took care of me all my life. It would be nice to catch up with her to see what’s been going on.
Chevy: I’d want to see my dad.
In the event that you go to hell, who would you bring with you?
Red: Ha, ha, ha! I’d bring the rest of the Boyz with me. We’d be burning in the lakes of fire but I’m sure we’d crack each other up We’d make each other laugh for all eternity. We’d be so makulit, we’d drive the devil crazy.
PJ: No one because if I end up in the lakes of fire, it means I have been judged. I have no right to bring anyone else.
Ryu: No one! I’m sure there are enough interesting people in hell.
Reb: I’d rather not name names but let’s just say he’s caused me grief all my life and he doesn’t seem to want to quit.
Chevy: I wouldn’t bring anyone down with me. I don’t want anyone else to suffer my fate because of me.
You are at the Pearly Gates and God says why would I let you in, what would you tell Him?
Red: I’d tell him, “Your Son already paid for my sins on the Cross. I’m a part of your family, Dad!”
PJ: Well, in my opinion, God would never ask such a question. Because he already knows what’s in our hearts.
Ryu: Um, hey, Dad, I just need to use the bathroom.
Reb: Because I believe that you are my one true Lord and it would be amazing if I can audition for your choir of angels.
Chevy: I’d say I just want to be with my dad for eternity… if not just for a while. Then, if ever, He can do what He wants with my soul. I just want to see my Dad again.
With music composed by Gary Adler of Avenue Q and Michael Patrick Walker, The Altar Boyz goes on stage at the Onstage Theater Greenbelt 1 from April 4 to 27. Shows are on Fridays and Saturday at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are at P550, P350, P250. For tickets and reservations, call Repertory at 887-0710 (2316 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati City) or Ticketworld at 891-9999 or log on to www.repertory-philippines.com or www.ticketworld.com.ph and see if it’s heaven or hell for you.
Source: DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda
Published Friday, April 4, 2008
The Philippine Star
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