Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging

[PeteGonBway]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 5:04pm

Going in a few weeks... Has anyone seen it lately? How is it?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/14 at 5:42pm

I have been a big fan of Forbidden Broadway for years and years and years. I've seen every version of FB since Strikes Back, and many of them I've seen multiple times. Needless to say, I was so excited to go last week.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed. This was the least clever version I've ever seen them do. The jokes about the new shows weren't great, and the impersonations (save for a few) were not very accurate. The Let It Go/Frozen performance was good, but the actual Broadway-related things weren't terrible creative.

[PeteGonBway]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 7:12am

That's really disappointing to hear, especially since the last edition - "Alive & Kicking" - was so strong and clever. And the cast was spot on with their impressions!!

[Movidude742]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 8:15am

I saw the first preview and then again part way through previews. I saw that there was a cast change (the insert said that the roles formerly played by the original actress had been assumed by the new one, so I think it is a permanent change and not a vacation or anything)

The only awkwardness I noted was that numbers that were customized for the original actress did not necessarily play to the strengths of the new one. Also they went from a black actress to a white one, so having her play Diana Ross, Patina Miller, Audra McDonald in Sound of Music and Billy Porter was a bit much. Individually they mostly were fine, but put together it seems an odd choice if you didn't know about the cast change.

I know new sketches were going in so I can't wait to see it after it opens in a week or so.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 9:57am

Yeah, I was surprised they replaced Erica Dorfler with a white actress.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 11:31am

What happened to " color blind" casting?

Just curious.Imagine if you just said the reverse.We saw it early on when this happened. Funny we did not think this.We just thought how good she performed that night.

[PeteGonBway]

Posted: 4/29/14 at 7:58am

Why did they replace Erica Dorfler? Anyone know?

[evic]

Posted: 5/31/14 at 7:56pm

The funniest version of this show that I have ever seen.....and I have seen many. The cast is uber talented....great voices, impersonations. It is so clever and nails every spoof. I urge any fan of Broadway to see it. I am still wiping the tears away from my eyes from laughing so much. The only down thing is that I missed several lyrics because of the luaghter. Bravo to all! Want to see it again.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/31/14 at 10:27pm

What's the Playbill look like? I'd love to see the cover art! :)

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 5/31/14 at 11:33pm

Here's the poster

[SweetLips]

Posted: 6/1/14 at 1:18am

Whoever did the cover should be doing the Sardis portraits-so much better.

[Movidude742]

Posted: 6/1/14 at 11:24pm

So I returned to Forbidden Broadway for the first time since their opening night and I was pretty impressed. I was at the first preview, and it admittedly was a little rough as they were still assembling what the show became. But every new number from that night that remains has been polished and tightened up into some real gems. Also bear in mind that there was a cast change during the preview process. I returned during previews pretty soon after that change and numbers created around the talents of one performer had not been modified or replaced for the new cast member so there was still a little awkwardness, but I am happy to say that the show is pretty solid throughout. Anyone who saw it early really should make a return trip.

Only two numbers from Alive and Kicking remain, thankfully including their parody of Once which just might be my favorite send up that I have seen. And the Book of Mormon spoof holds up especially in the theme that becomes apparent over the course of the show

I have read that the parodies are not as great this time around and I disagree. The target this time is less about the shows themselves as the producers and the power behind the entertainment. Don't get me wrong, you can cherry pick individual numbers and there is comedy gold there. But the production comes back to the producers over and over. Whether it is the trend of Exploiting children, or Juke Box musicals, a stunning finale set to Tomorrow Belongs to me about the corporate masters that control the shows now. Okay that last number might not be comedy, but it is satire that left my jaw in my lap. And not just because that particular melody is initially sung by a Jewish member of the cast. There are visuals to accompany the number that I won't spoil but it could be the most vicious bite that Alessandrini has ever taken out of the Broad Way, and you know he is not wrong. I tried to compliment him after the show as he was in attendance and he seemed to think it might not last as it doesn't get laughs, but I explained that I was shocked into near silence by the power of it and loved it. Call it a Knock-out punch. If it is not the getting the reaction they want, maybe move it earlier and end with a more traditionally laugh filled number but please do not lose this number.

The cast is in fine form. I am so happy to see Scott Foster and Marcus Stevens still in the show, and I really enjoy what Carter Calvert and Mia Gentile have brought to the production. I would call out specific numbers that they do, but I don't want to spoil any more than I already have.

Just get out and see this show, it is worth it.

[qafgenius122]

Posted: 6/1/14 at 11:43pm

Saw it tonight, was only disappointed that once and Mormon were still in the show, not for lack if being funny cuz once us very good, but I was hoping to see a fully new show, but I digress, everything else I loved. This is only my second forbidden broadway after alive and kicking, but I've been a fan forever. Fav numbers include Matilda, bridges and cabaret with a z, hint hint. My night was also made greater by Jackie Hoffman sitting behind me dying of laughter at the Mandy number, so there's that.