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Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening Reviews
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Great laughs Review by: Brian E., Mar 26, 2008 |
| Extremly funny. Well worth a visit, the actors are very talented, and nothing is off limits. It is a very small theater, and any seat will be great. The take off on the Lion King, Mary Poppins and Spamalot were very funny. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Good for Theatre Buffs Review by: , Jan 25, 2008 |
I enjoyed the show, laughed a lot and the performers are very talented.
That being said I really think you need to be a theatre buff to totally appreciate it, otherwise it makes no sense.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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THE CHANCE TO SEE ALMOST EVERYTHING ON BROADWAY IN TWO HOURS!! Review by: Beth M, Dec 13, 2007 |
A BROADWAY SEASON IN “REVIEW:” FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: RUDE AWAKENING
By Beth Mandelbaum
I spent a delightful and laughter filled afternoon seeing the latest version of Forbidden Broadway, the 25th Anniversary Edition: Rude Awakening. If there might be anyone unfamiliar with these wonderful productions, they are actually done in the form of a musical “review,” generally with about 4 or 5 performers presenting ... read more relatively short vignettes, each of which pokes fabulous fun at current and also recently closed musicals and plays.
All of the versions of Forbidden Broadway were created and written by Gerard Alessandrini. The only other one that I have seen was Forbidden Broadway, 2001: A Spoof Odyssey, which I remember with great fondness.
As an aficionado of musical theater, I have had the good fortunate of seeing nearly every musical spoofed in this highly entertaining, extremely clever, and often totally hilarious production. Just about every musical currently on Broadway is represented and it seems as if no one is safe from being satirized, not even the innocent Mary Poppins.
Generally, Mr. Alessandrini will use one or two songs from each a particular show and re-write some of the lyrics to make various witty, sarcastic, or just plain humorously insightful points. I found him to be a brilliant lyricist. Sometimes he will take a familiar song from another musical and write some new lyrics that so aptly makes its point. The songs in these vignettes always seemed to be right on target, which, I imagine, is why Forbidden Broadway has survived, ever changing, over such an impressive number of years.
The four members of the current ensemble are absolutely wonderful and enormously talented. I was amazed at how quickly each is able to transform from character to character, complete with costume changes. And not only are they quick change artists, they are able to transform themselves into entirely different show people, with their different mannerisms and personalities, and also often singing very different kinds of sings, without missing a beat. And, as the vignettes fly by so quickly, this seems almost like a magic trick.
While there is much that I would love to share about the specific vignettes, I am going to honor the approach found in the show’s playbill, which doesn’t list the targeted shows and does not have a list of musical numbers (many with newly created and often very witty titles). I feel that I shouldn’t reveal the specifics and risk spoiling the experience for others.
However, I would like to share a few of my favorite vignettes: the parody of Raoul Esparza and John Doyle’s production last season of Company; the wonderful spoof of Mary Poppins singing Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and remarks about Disney musicals; of course, the scenes that spoof Spring Awakening; the “revised” songs from Jersey Boys; the extraordinary imitation and almost frighteningly effective vocalization of Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray; the extremely clever take on Avenue Q; the witty material from Les Miserables; and the particularly humorous points made about Chicago and Phantom of the Opera. There is even a delightful special “appearance” by Ethel Merman, who pokes fun about the differences in the way musicals are sung now and in her time.
I would have to take issues with one or two of the vignettes, which to me (and also to my friend) seemed to cast a somewhat negative light on these musicals. And while it is in very nature of spoof and satire to cast some aspersions, I feel that these vignettes had the effect of being critical of the shows themselves and leading characters, which could perhaps possibly be detrimental at the Box Office, especially for those who may not be familiar with them or their reputation.
However, for the most part, the parodies were acts of “laughter and love,” as the four leads sing at the end of the show.
I also thought abou |
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| 4 |
leave laughing Review by: ruthie, Oct 10, 2007 |
| a must see for theater buffs. talent and intelligence abound. cannot help smilling from start to finish. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 5 |
Spring Awakening spoof Review by: Patsy, Aug 27, 2007 |
Thought it was hilarious and very clever, particularly SPRING AWAKENING.The costumes were brilliant which enhanced the talented performers who are able to morph themselves into so many characters.
PFA |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 6 |
Amazing cast & songs! Review by: ml_one, Aug 14, 2007 |
| I saw "Forbidden Broadway: The Roast of Utopia" in early August, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast was excellent, song lyrics were hilarious, and I liked the theater. If you like musicals, this is the show for you. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 7 |
Good fun, but the recycled skits need to be recycled Review by: mr_joe, Aug 14, 2007 |
They premise of Forbidden Broadway is to spoof everything you have seen on Broadway and once is enough.
For me, "Forbidden Broadway: The Roast of Utopia" was a bit disappointing since they recycled some gags from "Forbidden Broadway: SVU." Ugh! come on guys!
One particular actress however, Janet Dickinson, was magnificent throughout, and especially in her right on impression from "Grey Gardens." Actually everything she did was "gold.... read more." Janet, you made the show worth it.
Perhaps if you have not seen "Forbidden Broadway" you might want to give it a try. But if you've seen it before, beware of recycled skits. |
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OK show but horrible staff Review by: Seafarer, Aug 13, 2007 |
| The show is fine but the box office people is horrible. I print out the discount code from Broadwaybox.com and a big guy at the box office wouldn't let me use it. He said my discount code was not real because it didn't have a Theatermania logo on it. How ridiculous!! I've been using the code from broadwaybox for almost 150 shows now and never had a problem. He thinks he's the king of the show and every patrons has to listen to what he says. That ... read more was the second time he gave me the attitude. I saw the show last year and he treated me the same way. I though it was going to change. I was so turned off and I will not go back to that theatre as long as he works there. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 9 |
Still laughing from this show! Review by: Nicky, Jul 19, 2007 |
| Forbidden Broadway is amazing. Not only funny, but incredibly smart. The creator of the show Gerard Alessandrini is a pure genius. No doubt the foremost expert on Broadway theatre today. If you haven't seen this show, or just never got around to going, do yourself a favor and head over to the 47th street theatre today. I hear they have great discounts during the summer and it's appropriate for all ages. I took ... read more my niece two weeks ago and she's still singing Forbidden songs! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 10 |
If you DO "Broadway" - DO Forbidden Broadway! Review by: tnlsdad, Jul 3, 2007 |
| Great show for those who DO "Broadway". A bad seat does not exist here! But if you haven't seen many shows, you won't get it! Grey Gardens spoof was excellent but the Les Mis piece was by far the best - we roared with laughter! Actors and actresses have great voices, stage presence, speed and agility - the multiple costume changes alone were incredible! And at these prices, recommended for only those who DO "Broadway"! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Forbidden Broadway: The Roast Of Utopia gets Five stars!!!!! ***** Review by: Becky, Jun 20, 2007 |
| I L-O-V-E-D this show!!! It was hillarious! I have seen one other version of this show back in 2004, but this one was much better! Honestly, I think I fell out of my seat laughing after the Company number, and the woman who did Grey Gardens could literally take over for Christine Ebersole! She did a dead-on impression.I would reccomend this show to anyone looking for a great comedic musical parody of Broadway today |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Review by: JB, Apr 16, 2007 |
| So it's April 15, 2007 in New York City. It's pouring rain out and I have a ticket to Forbidden Broadway: SVU. Hate to go out on a day like that but I had the ticket so what could I do? So I went. It was WELL WORTH IT!!! Really funny -- I laughed through the entire performance. Especially liked the bit about The Light in the Piazza. GO SEE IT!!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 13 |
High-brow entertainment at low-brow prices Review by: Jose, Apr 14, 2007 |
| A must see for any Broadway fan! The actors give just enough of a tongue-in-cheek performance so any one--Broadway fan or not--can understand the humor. High-brow entertainment at low-brow prices. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 14 |
I never laughed sooo hard!! Review by: Drama Teacher, Mar 25, 2007 |
| It was a laugh out loud show. I really loved the cast. They were fantastic & very talented. The show is for Broadway geeks. You have to know what they are talking & singing about to understand the jokes. The show is a must see. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 15 |
Fun show Review by: Dinamo, Jan 13, 2007 |
| Fun show. Actors are great.Have to be familiar with the musicals. Would not recommend for tourist. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Anyone
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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