FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Review

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 11:34pm

If you get a chance to catch Forbidden Broadway, Special Victims Unit and you like a good spoof, head over to the 47th Street Theatre for a rollicking sendup of many Broadway shows. It's a long-running show that keeps changing to keep pace with the changes of shows, which isn't easy.

Playwright and co-director Gerard Alessandrini is a master at the over the top style, Phillip George also directing. David Caldwell provides piano accompaniment of familiar tunes from the shows (the song owners clearly have a sense of humor to give permission for use of their music) and four actors, Felicia Finley, Edward Staudenmayer, Jeanne Montano and James Sasser perform transformational feats in smoothly becoming many characters through rapid costume changes and devilishly good acting.

While seeing the exaggerations of shows is maybe a bit more fun if you have seen the Broadway show first, it isn't necessary, as I haven't seen Wicked but the scene of the witches warring over the bows and Tonys was rediculous and funny.

Everybody gets skewered. I think Yoko Ono takes the most ribbing over her relationship to the show Lennon; she is carried out as far as caricature can take and even "sings" occaisionally, sounding something like Beijing Opera to the wrong music.

The Piazza spoof of the flying hat scene concocts an utterly rediculous Clara, naughty mother Margaret, and fascinated suitor Fabrizio, together a hilarious combo. Clara's antics are a non-stop tour de force, delightfully so, especially as she wears an aqua dress to mirror the first she wears in the show creating an absurd contrast to the Clara at Lincoln Center.

Avenue Q's "It Sucks to be Me" is given a good send-up with its frisky puppets, as is Lion King with neck-crunching head puppets. Spelling Bee, Spamalot, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels...no show is safe from Gerard Alessandrini, and you leave the theatre thinking hey, that's a good thing.



Updated On: 10/14/05 at 11:34 PM

[iRuvPrinceton]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 11:40pm

I saw it for the second time in September! Wonderful review! Thanks for posting it.

Hee, I loved the Piazza spoof! "Holy crap! *hides behind skirt*"

[mondlerislove]

Posted: 10/13/05 at 11:47pm

im glad you liked it...i really wanna go!!!!

do you know if there is some kind of student rush?

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 12:08am

I *love* this show! Each skit is absolutely brilliant.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 12:12am

I don't know what the student rush policy is.

I do know that half-price tickets have been recently available at the TKTS Booth in Duffy Square at 47th & Broadway.

[Phantom487]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 1:09am

Felicia Finley and Edward Staudenmayer are back in Forbidden Broadway??? What happened to Megan Lewis and Jason Mills?

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 1:20am

That is what the slip in my program says, that's all I can tell ya. I saw it Sunday evening.
Updated On: 10/14/05 at 01:20 AM

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 2:50am

I love this show too and agree the Piazza skit was hilarious--I think my favorite new skit.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 6:41am

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY doesn't have any rush policy, but tickets are always available at the TKTS booth. I went three weeks ago and got two front row seats for a total of $60.

The show is in great shape. The Cherry Jones/Kathleen Turner parody had me rolling in the aisle.

[mominator]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 7:22am

This show is always oodles of fun. Did someone mention that Felicia is back?

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 7:48am

From what I understand:
Megan is taking a 6 week leave. Forbidden Broadway is a very difficult show to do. She needs a break.
I need to see Felicia.

[wexy]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 11:07am

I think I'm gonna blow off work Wednesday afternoon and see it.I can get $25 etix throught TDF

[spintoboy]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 11:55am

You left out the best part: at Tuesday evening's performance (the one I saw), Forbidden Broadway even took a shot at IN MY LIFE.

Edward Staudenmayer was dressed up as William Barfee (Dan Fogler) from SPELLING BEE. He was asked to spell "In My Life". Then, with the aid of his "magic foot," he spelled out "F . . . L . . . O . . . P."

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 11:59am

ouch

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 10/14/05 at 11:59am

Ah, I had a mention of Spelling Bee in but it got left out when there was a change of wording...I shall go back and name drop, gumdrop! Updated On: 10/14/05 at 11:59 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 12:20am

Saw FB tonight and had a great time. The new cast is dandy, and it's great fun to report that the show is keeping up to date (a funny parody of Rosie in FIDDLER) and that the house was packed.

The cast right now is terrific. Newcomers, Felicia Finley and Edward Staudenmayer (both celebrated FB alums) are particularly smashing. Finley's Idina Menzel is as funny as her Heather Headley. Studenmeyer's Hugh Jackman is pitch perfect.

Best sketches are the much discussed LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA skit and the Kathleen Turner/Cherry Jones sketch: Cherry sings "Doubt" to the tune of "Shout." The rip on LENNON is also priceless.

Can't wait to see what they do with SWEENEY, and WOMAN IN WHITE.

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/15/05 at 12:34am

MB-
I was there tonight! I was very impressed with Ed.
He is over the top! FB is the greatest. Felicia needs some time to get comfortable with the new material, she is talented but I must admit, I miss Jen and Megan.
Light In The Piazza is so funny even the 4th time, tears were all over my face from laughing so hard. I know most of the words and it is hilarious when they miss lines and crack up.
Felicia was great in The Piazza number but missed a few lines and cracked Jeanne up, I have never laughed so hard in my entire life! Updated On: 10/15/05 at 12:34 AM

[Shoshana BeanieBaby]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 5:43pm

it is the best FB I've seen in five years. The piazza bit is so funny. My only wish is that Christine Pedi was still in it. I didn't love Felicia Finley. Any body no what Christine Pedi is up to?

[Shoshana BeanieBaby]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 5:43pm

it is the best FB I've seen in five years. The piazza bit is so funny. My only wish is that Christine Pedi was still in it. I didn't love Felicia Finley. Any body no what Christine Pedi is up to?

[broadwaybaby654]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 5:47pm

I've heard the "piazza" skit is very funny. I live in L.A., can someone pm me with what it intails?

[mominator]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 6:13pm

Going again next weekend. So glad I'll get to see Felicia. Got to see her in Aida.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 6:29pm

What is the parody for DRS?

[mominator]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 6:32pm

Last time I was there, they did not have one YET.

[Phantom487]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 9:48pm

They added Norbert Leo Butz into the "It Sucks To Be Us" number... he complains that everyone mistakes him for John Lithgow...

[mominator]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 9:55pm

D'oh, that's right. Man i need some sleep.