Of course people remember *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys…but the Altar Boyz? That's a new one.

The Altar Boyz is a fictitious boy band starring in the hit musical of the same name. "Altar Boyz" runs at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., for a two-week engagement beginning April 15.

"Altar Boyz" is presented as though the audience is actually a part of the crowd as the Christian boy band performs the final concert of their "Raise the Praise" tour. The band's members — Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham — all hail from Ohio, and their music comes with a mission: to save the world.

The musical, featuring the composing talents of Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker, is full of satire and such musical numbers as "The Miracle Song" and "La Vida Eternal." After winning the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical the show has been seen across the country and around the world.

The current tour began rehearsals last summer and has been working its way across the country since September. Milwaukee is the last stop on the tour, and ticket sales have been steady, according to Connie Place, public relations manager for the Marcus Center.

The cast has been together since the rehearsal process began except for one minor change, said cast member Tim Dolan, who plays Abraham.

"We lost our Juan. He left for a new show in Virginia," he said. "There's been just a little bit of change."

Dolan explained that audience reception to the show has varied based on location.

"There's definitely a difference between conservative and liberal states," he said. "It's been an interesting journey."

The 10-month tour has given the Boyz a chance to bond and become close friends, Dolan said.

"It's a rare thing for everyone to get along when you're together all the time like this," he said. "Shows can be almost like high school; they can be very cliquey. But for the most part, we've really gotten along well."

While the show satirizes religion to an extent, it "has a really great message," Dolan said.

"It's fun. It's guys onstage dancing and singing," he said. "I would say it's about an hour and 10 minutes of fluff and fun and then in the last 10 minutes you get this really great message."

Aside from its really great message, Dolan thinks "Altar Boyz" will appeal to anyone who ever lusted after Justin Timberlake.

"Everyone went through that boy band thing," Dolan said.