Forbidden Broadway

Forbidden Broadway opened in New York in 1982 and since that time has become an Off-Broadway institution. Poking fun at Broadway shows and personalities has been creator Gerard Alessandrini’s stock-in-trade for the past 30 years, and this production called ”Greatest Hits – Volume One” gathers together some of Allessandrini’s wittiest swipes at musical theatre.

Georgina Purdie was a funny turning-thirty-“Tomorrow” Annie, Conor Ensor was terrific as an actor playing an animal in Cats, while Andrew Scheiwe hammed it up as Mandy Patikin with his “Somewhat overindulgent”, sung to the tune of “Over the Rainbow.” Vanessa Wainwright’s Barbra Streisand was an accurate spoof, as was Jason Fagg, frocked up as Carol Channing.

The fight over natural or over-amplified voices between The Phantom (Tristan Ham) and Ethel Merman (Julie Eisentrager) was a hoot, “Into the Words,” which like the original Into the Woods was Sondheim word-crazy and spot-on, and the Les Miz send-up, even though dated, was a huge piss-take. My favourite was Eponine (Sarah Copley) lost in the chorus texting on her mobile phone; “On My Phone” sung naturally to the tune of “On My Own.”

Director Angela Clarke kept it moving, despite a few numbers not quite hitting the bullseye. Show logos and headshots of the stars projected on background screens helped the various lampoons, and Roger Martin leading a three-piece group on piano was always assured and great back-up.

It was a fine start to the year for Savoyards who are offering their audience alternative smaller shows to their main-stage productions at Iona Performing Arts Centre in the more intimate space of the Star Theatre. It was obviously a good move because the capacity-house loved every minute of it.

Peter Pinne

Imaged: Annie & Chicago.

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