ALTAR BOYZ to Hold 'Midnight Mass' Appeal at Theatre Memphis, 1/19

The popular show Altar Boyz now playing through January 20, 2013, at Theatre Memphis in the Next Stage is adding a late night 11:30pm show on January 19 to accommodate the show's popularity. The show, dubbed "Midnight Mass" also will replace the previously scheduled show for January 17 which has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.

"An unforeseen but wonderful opportunity has come up for one of the cast members...," says Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch, "... and we wanted to do everything we could to support one of our wonderful volunteer actors. This is a rare (if not the only) occurrence like this that has happened but luckily we have the rights to a certain number of productions and the cast and crew have been so supportive to agree to do a double on that night. By request, we have wanted to try a late night offering for some time to test the market and this chance just fell into our laps. It should be a win - win situation and a lot of fun to experience that late night energy from the audience."

Director Cecelia Wingate compliments the cast. "As a group, these guys have worked their butts off and we just wanted to give them every opportunity to perform," she says. "They are such a tight group that they never gave a second thought to this option of a late night show. And the idea of a Midnight Mass for this show is absolutely perfect." The cast member who has a conflict has been called to New York to audition for a role in a currently running Broadway musical. Wingate states, "I think this is a testament to the level of talent Memphis has and to the nurturing atmosphere at Theatre Memphis. Not every theater could or would do this."

Altar Boyz is a musical satire of a Catholic boy band on the final stop of a national tour. The November production made several media "best of" theater lists for 2012. The current production is a remount of the successful run of the previous production.

Theatre Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended (corner of Perkins Extended and Southern) and is a community theatre whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the lives of our audiences and participants.
Theatre Memphis receives funding from ArtsMemphis and Tennessee Arts Commission.

Pictured: Stephen Garrett, (center), is surrounded by (clockwise from bottom left) Bruce Huffman, Cody James, Joseph Johnson and Christopher Hanford as they portray the Christian boy band Altar Boyz. Photo by Skip Hooper.