Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 12:38am

Anyone happen to go to the first preview?

[Myglass989]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 1:05am

I was there! Some great moments but overall sadly not what I hoped it would be. They used a lot of old stuff (Wicked, Lion King, Mary Poppins, Jersey Boys). Some stuff was repetitive, like doing the Lion King song about Julie Taymor, followed immediately by a Spiderman sketch with Julie Taymor (which I thought was pretty clever), and also a song about puppets...a little overkill on puppets and Disney material.

I LOVED their Once and Evita sequences. Thought Newsies and Nice Work if you Can Get It were pretty funny too, and the Anything Goes one was cute. The Porgy and Mormon scenes fell flat to me...they seemed a little repetitive and not as funny as they could have been. They also did a Hugh Jackman scene and a Catherine Zeta-Jones Night Music scene which were slightly random but ok. Biggest omission to my friend and I was the lack of Follies...they did a funny Diane Paulus thing with Porgy and we thought they could have incorporated something with Sondheim in there at least.

I love Forbidden Broadway and am glad its back though! Hopefully they can tighten things up a bit and maybe replace one or two of the old numbers with more new stuff. And the new actors were fabulous! Would love to hear more peoples thoughts on this as well.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 1:09am

Sounds great! I'm really looking forward to seeing this. Last time I saw Forbidden Broadway was in 2006 when it came on tour to Boston, so it will be really cool to see this.

Also, does anyone know if they have rush or any sort of student discount?

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 1:11am

They have a 6 week preview period so I feel like the show is going to change drastically between now and then. But happy to hear its in the shape it is.

[Myglass989]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 1:13am

Definitely...for a first preview things were pretty spot on and they seemed to be having lots of fun! I wish them the best for their run.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 1:16am

As someone whose never seen a production of it, I'm super excited that its returned to NYC.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 10:59am

Why does Gerard feel the need to put up his old stuff, which is clever, but...old? Yes, the WICKED parody was hysterical in 2004, but now? He really should dig into Paulus though. Make that little girl cry!

However, I still can't wait to see it! Long live Forbidden Broadway!

Posted: 7/25/12 at 11:02am

When I've seen forbidden Broadway it seems that a good portion of the crowd has only passing acquaintance with Broadway shows- and a show like Wicked might be the only show everyone there has seen. Wicked and Lion King got the biggest reactions whenever I've seen it.

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 11:30am

Thanks for posting! I have never seen Forbidden Broadway, and I have tickets for mid-August. I understand that Wicked and Lion King are there in order to appeal to the greatest number of people, but I was looking forward to a parody of Follies. Jan Maxwell is on the poster! Give us Follies, please.

Updated On: 7/25/12 at 11:30 AM

[Patash]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 12:54pm

I honestly don't think I could fully enjoy a performance of FB without the cigarette smoking Annie. Although a little rewriting for the new Annie production might be worthwhile too. I suspect I'll miss the LeMiz turntable thing and the puppet on the shoulders! I assume that's gone.

[Myglass989]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 1:00pm

Correct, there was no Les Miz. I would have like the Hugh Jackman number to mention his role in the movie, but it did not.

Annie was there! I didnt mind that repetition at all, because it was brief and hilarious, and yes, she is a staple of the show, Plus, it is kind of necessary since it is coming back to Broadway...

[BdwyFan]

Posted: 7/25/12 at 5:15pm

Yes, I was at the first preview last night and have to say that it was really very funny - I actually couldn't believe it was the first preview... the new cast is SO talented! Just great.

I heard they will be trying several new pieces throughout the preview period - which is great! Great job Gerard, and can't wait to see the other new stuff! We're glad you 're back where you belong!

[alliez92092]

Posted: 7/26/12 at 10:25pm

I was at tonight's show and had a blast! It's such a smart show. The best scene by far was Once. It was so dead on. I wish I could see it again with whatever new skits they try out, but unfortunately I'm nearing the end of my summer in New York so I won't be able to. But everyone should go check this out. It's a really fun night at the theater!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/26/12 at 11:25pm

Once more with feeling, please. You've got severe long-run-itis.

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 1:45am

Is there any mention of Bonnie & Clyde? I would love to see that one! :p

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 5:01pm

How available is this one on TDF these days? I know someone mentioned a month ago the availability was dwindling fast. Was hoping to go Sunday or Tuesday but my TDF membership just expiered, was wondering if it was still available before I renew (otherwise I'll wait until fall to maximize the year's membership). Thanks.

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 10:05am

TonyVincent, there is currently very good availability on TDF. The dates are July 31 up to and including Aug. 19, most days of the week.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 3:12pm

This show has been running for 800 years and you expect it to be a sell-out?

[DEClarke]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 7:30pm

I got 2 for 1 tickets, so my wife and I are seeing it tonight! We've never seen them perform, but we own some of the CDs! We're excited!

[knicknut]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 7:36pm

Thanks, macnyc!

[joanntom]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 7:57pm

I loved the old bits of Merman and Martin. Yes, I'm dating myself

[Charliesgirl]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 8:03pm

I'm going in Aug! So excited!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/29/12 at 12:49am

Albee is usually at the Flea Market at the Playwrights table. He's EXTREMELY nice and even though he doesn't hear very well he's more than happy to talk to people!

[DEClarke]

Posted: 7/30/12 at 6:06pm

Back on topic...

I loved the performance I saw Saturday night. I rolled with laughter throughout the show. My particular favorite spoofs were of EVITA, ONCE, and Julie Taymor!

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 4:38pm

Is it reasonable to expect they would include Follies, considering it closed 8 months ago?!