“I was never really a big fan of boy bands,” says Ricky Jess of his role in Altar Boyz. “But listening to and being in one are two different things. It’s a lot of fun.” Altar Boyz is the tale of a Christian boy band on its Raise the Praise tour. And yes, there is gay subtext and tension. “We were discussing my character, and the rest of the cast don’t think he’s gay, but I think he’s closeted,” Jess says. “He is flamboyant and sensitive, so I’ve been working on my voice to make it sound girly and practising my corny ’90s girl-power poses. Because the part I’m playing is very feminine, I always have a Spice Girl in the back of my mind. Ginger Spice, of course. She could sing.”

Jess has been a fab guy — issue #451 — and is a finalist in the 2012 Spectra competition. “I love music, but I’m not sure where I fit. Lower Ossington Theatre is like a big old family, and it’s been so long since I’ve been around artsy-fartsy theatre people that it’s good to be back in the groove. We’re dancing our hearts out and we have all these hardcore tight harmonies. And I’m on top the whole time.” — Drew Rowsome

Altar Boyz runs Fri, July 20–Fri, Aug 3 at the Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. lowerossingtontheatre.com