I’m so confused. It was with mixed feelings that I attended “Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking” at the Garner Galleria Theatre. The roast of Broadway’s finest (and not so finest) was lambasted, questioned, poked, skewered and ripped. In an utterly entertaining way, “Forbidden Broadway” shows Broadway show fans what we’ve wondered about, suspected and known all these years. For instance, I wondered if the actors from “The Lion King” suffer from musculoskeletal issues from wearing those wonderful but awkward headdresses; I suspected all of the Disney shows are just cranked out like a machine to milk the Empire that is Disney and I knew that the creators of “Book of Mormon” are laughing all the way to the bank. Famous Broadway producers were shown for who they really are. Broadway stars were revealed as competitive prima donnas or less-than-talented-but-helped-by-creative-amplification. Even “Jersey Boys,” soon to be showing right across the way wasn’t immune from the ribbing. It was RAW! It was WONDERFUL! And it made me want to see all of those shows again! That was the confusing part.
“Forbidden Broadway” is a long-standing show that has toured all over. It gets updated, adding the newest shows such as “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Forbidden” is hysterical, showy, fun to watch, delightful to hear. No, it’s not a heavy-hitting expose. But it does serve the purpose of going behind the dreamy entertainment of it all to the “product” and “business” that is theater. And that’s a good thing. The show points out the commercialism, weak storylines held up by flashy sets and angst-ridden monologues to fill time. We watched, nodding often, thinking “oh, that’s true, that show really did have a stupid storyline.” But then the thought was immediately followed by “but, tra, la, la, I still loved it and would love to see it again.” That’s the confusing part about “Forbidden Broadway.” While it roasts, it toasts.
Some of the funnier bits would go right over the heads of anyone under 50 – dueling “Anita’s” from “West Side Story,” Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno. And appearances by a young Ethel Merman who ruled Broadway, able to belt out a tune like nobody’s business (she coaches the thin voice of the Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera”). Re-written lyrics are brilliant but often go by so fast, you miss them – a complaint we heard a few times during intermission. Listen carefully. They are too good to miss.
The performances themselves were amazing and I’m sorry it has taken me three paragraphs to get to them now. Jordan Leigh, Sarah Rex and Lauren Shealy are familiar faces around DCPA. They are joined by Chad T. Reagan making his Denver Center debut. All four have great voices (the women especially), know how to ham it up, change costumes SO quickly, and are really, really funny. There’s nothing to lambast about them – they were stellar, plain and simple. Unlike some other sketch comedy shows, this one never dragged on and I would have been happy to see more.
Part of the beauty of “Forbidden Broadway” is that it is enjoyable for everyone. Those who love Broadway shows will be tickled, entertained and more excited than ever to see their next one (conveniently playing at The Buell). Those who hate Broadway shows, especially those “friggin’ musicals” will sit there, arms crossed over their chests, laughing, saying “I knew it. I knew it all along.” Sure, whatever. Broadway shows are here to stay, thank Goodness. And thank goodness too, that “Forbidden Broadway” will be in Denver a good long time, until March 1.
Take advantage of the temporary pop-up Holiday Box Office in Cherry Creek North. Handling fees are waived and there’s entertainment too. You can purchase tickets or gift certificates there. Do that!
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