Altar Boyz

This musical takes aim at phenomena that highbrow types love to hate: tight pants-wearing boy bands and the Christian-rock groups who scarily emulate them. But before you turn up your nose at the prospect of satirical pop songs like “La Vida Eternal,” you should know that the off-Broadway premiere of Altar Boyz in 2005 blindsided New York critics, who couldn’t help but be charmed by the show’s Backstreet Boys-style ditties. That first production was lauded for its dynamic cast, too. But how hard can it be to cast these closeted Christian-rocker types? Replete with lyrics like “Girl, you make me want to wait,” the Minneapolis version is bound to be just as worthy, as escapist entertainment goes. 612-339-7007; www.hennepintheatredistrict.org