Reviewed by Judy Richter
Lovers of musical theater will
find lots to like in the current version of "Forbidden Broadway." Its 25th anniversary tour
has alighted at San Jose Repertory Theatre for a brief visit. Accompanied by
musical director Catherine Stornetta and choreographed by Phillip George, the two-woman, two-man cast
cleverly skewers Broadway shows and personalities.
The
show's creator, writer and original director, Gerard Alessandrini, wrote the first version in
1982. Since then, it has gone through 12 editions and enjoyed a long run in New
York. His current targets are as recent as "In the Heights," surprise winner of the
2008 Tony, and as perennial as "Fiddler on the Roof," "Annie" and "Chicago." It goes after puppets in
"Avenue Q"
and "The Lion King." It also bemoans the Disneyization of Broadway with the latter
show as well as "Mary Poppins" and "The Little Mermaid."
Individual
targets include producer Cameron Macintosh's shameless merchandizing, Bob Fosse's distinctive choreography (a la
"Chicago"), Carol Channing's repeat appearances in "Hello, Dolly," Sarah Brightman's high range, Patti LuPone's mannered "Gypsy" and Liza Minnelli's breathlessness. Some of the
cleverer bits target "Jersey Boys" and Frankie Valli -- "Walk Like a Man, Sing
Like a Girl"
-- and "Fiddler on the Roof," where "Tradition" becomes "Ambition" to explain why there are
so many actors in New York City.
The
talented cast includes Gina Kreiezmar, Jeanne Montano, William Selby and Michael West. Ingenious costumes are by Alvin
Colt, and the
right-on wigs are by Carol Sherry. Some bits work better than other, but the overall
effect is amusing and clever, especially for those familiar with the shows and
personalities.