# Forbidden Broadway
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Forbidden_Broadway
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Forbidden_Broadway.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Broadway
> Source revision: 1324614178
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{Short description|Revue Gerard Alessandrini parodying musicals}}
{{Infobox musical
|name= Forbidden Broadway
|subtitle=
|image= Forbidden broadway logo color.gif
|caption= Logo
|music= Various
|lyrics= [Gerard Alessandrini](/source/Gerard_Alessandrini)
|book= Gerard Alessandrini
|basis= Broadway musicals
|productions= 1982 [off-Broadway](/source/off-Broadway)
|awards=
}}
'''''Forbidden Broadway''''' is an [off-Broadway](/source/off-Broadway) [revue](/source/revue) [parody](/source/parody)ing [musical theatre](/source/musical_theatre), particularly Broadway musicals. Conceived, written, and directed by [Gerard Alessandrini](/source/Gerard_Alessandrini), the show has been updated many times to parody new musicals and productions. The revue is typically performed by a cast of four with a piano. Versions of the show have been staged in more than 200 U.S. cities, as well as London, Tokyo and elsewhere around the world.
==Background==
The original version of ''Forbidden Broadway'' opened on January 15, 1982, at [Palsson's Supper Club](/source/Palsson's_Supper_Club) in New York City and ran there for 2,332 performances.[{{Cite web|url=http://www.world-theatres.com/longruns.html#longruns.london.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402061014/http://world-theatres.com/longruns.html|url-status=dead|title=List of long runs in London and the world|archive-date=April 2, 2010}}] Alessandrini has updated and rewritten the revue more than two dozen times over the years to include parodies of newer shows. In the original iteration at Palsson's, Alessandrini performed alongside Nora Mae Lyng, for whom Alessandrini has said he created the show. [{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Sam|author-link=Sam Roberts (journalist)|date=May 25, 2017 |title=Nora Mae Lyng, Actress at the Heart of 'Forbidden Broadway,' Dies at 66 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/25/theater/nora-mae-lyng-dead-inspiration-for-forbidden-broadway.html|newspaper=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)|access-date=January 28, 2020 }}] Michael Chapman was briefly the director of ''Forbidden Broadway'', but later in 1982, Jeff Martin became director. In 1983 Alessandrini left the cast and assumed the directing position, with Phillip George often co-directing or directing various editions through 2016.[ Since then, Alessandrini has written, created and directed all subsequent editions.
Through the decades, there have been thousands of performances of ''Forbidden Broadway'' in New York City, and the show has been seen in more than 200 U.S. cities as well as playing in London, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.][[http://www.emelin.org/event/broadway/forbidden-broadway "Forbidden Broadway"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924000028/http://www.emelin.org/event/broadway/forbidden-broadway |date=2015-09-24 }}, Emelin Theatre, accessed August 30, 2015]
==Description==
The show is a cabaret revue sharply spoofing show tunes, characters and plots of contemporary and current Broadway musicals. ''Forbidden Broadway'' and its many sequels have mocked popular shows like ''[The Phantom of the Opera](/source/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(1986_musical))'', ''[Wicked](/source/Wicked_(musical))'', ''[Les Misérables](/source/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(musical))'', ''[The Lion King](/source/The_Lion_King_(musical))'', ''[Spamalot](/source/Spamalot)'', ''[Annie](/source/Annie_(musical))'', ''[Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark](/source/Spider-Man%3A_Turn_Off_the_Dark)'', ''[Rent](/source/Rent_(musical))'', and ''[Newsies](/source/Newsies_(musical))''. The revue also targets famous Broadway actors, writers, composers, directors, choreographers and producers, including [Julie Andrews](/source/Julie_Andrews), [Mel Brooks](/source/Mel_Brooks), [Carol Channing](/source/Carol_Channing), [Kristin Chenoweth](/source/Kristin_Chenoweth), [Michael Crawford](/source/Michael_Crawford), [Harvey Fierstein](/source/Harvey_Fierstein), [Bob Fosse](/source/Bob_Fosse), [Whoopi Goldberg](/source/Whoopi_Goldberg), [Robert Goulet](/source/Robert_Goulet), [Jerry Herman](/source/Jerry_Herman), [Dustin Hoffman](/source/Dustin_Hoffman), [Elton John](/source/Elton_John), [Angela Lansbury](/source/Angela_Lansbury), [Andrew Lloyd Webber](/source/Andrew_Lloyd_Webber), [Patti LuPone](/source/Patti_LuPone), [Cameron Mackintosh](/source/Cameron_Mackintosh), [Mary Martin](/source/Mary_Martin), [Ethel Merman](/source/Ethel_Merman), [Liza Minnelli](/source/Liza_Minnelli), [Rita Moreno](/source/Rita_Moreno), [Mandy Patinkin](/source/Mandy_Patinkin), [Bernadette Peters](/source/Bernadette_Peters), [Chita Rivera](/source/Chita_Rivera), [Stephen Sondheim](/source/Stephen_Sondheim), [Barbra Streisand](/source/Barbra_Streisand), [Julie Taymor](/source/Julie_Taymor), and [Gwen Verdon](/source/Gwen_Verdon).[[Wilson, John S.](/source/John_S._Wilson_(music_critic)) [https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/12/theater/upper-west-side-home-offbeat-music-forbidden-broadway-spoofs-musical-theater.html "Upper West Side Is Home to Offbeat Music; ''Forbidden Broadway'' Spoofs Musical Theater"], ''The New York Times'', March 12, 1982, p. 1][Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/forbidden-broadway-goes-to-rehab-extends-to-march-2009-155960# "''Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab'' Extends to March 2009"], ''[Playbill](/source/Playbill)'', December 9, 2008][Gilbert, Jenny. [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/forbidden-broadway-menier-chocolate-factory-londonbrashes-queen-elizabeth-hall-london-1731789.html "''Forbidden Broadway'', Menier Chocolate Factory, London"]. ''[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)'', July 5, 2009, accessed November 9, 2010]
''Forbidden Broadway'' is performed as a four or five-person show, with two men, two women (and in at least one production, a teen), with piano accompaniment. ''Forbidden Broadway'' has released more than a dozen albums, as well as ''[Forbidden Hollywood](/source/Forbidden_Hollywood_(parody))'', spoofing cinematic topics. The New York and Los Angeles-based companies of both ''Forbidden'' incarnations have served as a workshop for rising talent to hone their skills. Alumni include [Jason Alexander](/source/Jason_Alexander),[{{IOBDB title|1502|Forbidden Broadway|(Triad Theatre)}}] [Brad Oscar](/source/Brad_Oscar),[{{IOBDB title|1508|Forbidden Broadway|(1993)}}] [Christine Pedi](/source/Christine_Pedi),[{{IOBDB name|5286|Christine Pedi}}] [Bryan Batt](/source/Bryan_Batt),[{{IOBDB title|1511|Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back}}] [Michael McGrath](/source/Michael_McGrath_(actor)),[{{IOBDB title|1503|Forbidden Broadway|(1988/1989)}}] [Chloe Webb](/source/Chloe_Webb),[ [Barbara Walsh](/source/Barbara_Walsh),][Rosati, Nancy.[http://www.talkinbroadway.com/rialto/past/2002/11_20_02.html "An Interview with Barbara Walsh"] talkinbroadway.com, November 20, 2002] [Ann Morrison](/source/Ann_Morrison),[ and many more.
In 2006, the show and Alessandrini were awarded [Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre](/source/Tony_Honors_for_Excellence_in_Theatre).][Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/tony-honors-presented-at-tavern-on-the-green-oct.-24-nixon-hosts-135777# "The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced the recipients of the 2006 Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre Sept. 22"], ''Playbill'', October 24, 2006] It has been nominated eight times for the [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue), winning four times (2001, 2005, 2008 and 2025).[{{IOBDB title|1513|Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey}}
*{{IOBDB title|3775|Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit}}
*{{IOBDB title|4571|Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening}}
*Culwell-Block, Logan. [https://playbill.com/article/drama-desk-award-winners-2025-the-full-list "Drama Desk Award Winners 2025: The Full List"], ''Playbill'', June 1, 2025] It also won [Drama Desk Special Award](/source/Drama_Desk_Special_Award)s in 1985[[http://www.dramadesk.org/awards "Drama Desk Awards, see 1985"], ''Drama Desk'', accessed August 29, 2015] and 2009.[Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/ruined-and-billy-elliot-win-top-honors-at-drama-desk-awards-160988# "''Ruined'' and ''Billy Elliot'' Win Top Honors at Drama Desk Awards"], ''Playbill'', 2009] In 2009 a book of "Best of" lyrics and the show's history was published under the title ''Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain''.[Boslaugh, Sarah. [https://www.talkinbroadway.com/bookreviews/fb.html "Book Reviews. ''Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain''"], talkinbroadway.com, November 12, 2009]
A 2009 review of the London production, in Britain's ''[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)'', commented: "Actors have always poked fun at the foibles of commercial theatre. ... Usually, though, they keep their parodies to themselves. It takes a touch of genius to turn them into something saleable, but writer [Gerard] Alessandrini has that Midas touch."[ The original artwork advertising the show was designed by [caricaturist](/source/caricaturist) [Ken Fallin](/source/Ken_Fallin), who suggested the actors find the name "Nina" written on their bodies as an [homage](/source/Homage_(arts)) to [Al Hirschfeld](/source/Al_Hirschfeld), who was known for working his daughter's name into his drawings.][[http://www.bizbash.com/orlando/fresh_face "Caricaturist Captures the Corporate Market"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627121505/http://www.bizbash.com/orlando/fresh_face |date=2009-06-27 }}, Biz Bash Orlando, August 11, 2008.]
A 2012/13 version of the show, ''Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking!'', played in New York[Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/cast-recording-of-off-broadways-forbidden-broadway-alive-and-kicking-arrive-200069 "Cast Recording of Off-Broadway's ''Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking'' Arrives Nov. 27"], ''Playbill'', November 27, 2012, accessed October 9, 2014] and was revived in 2014.[{{cite web|last=Wilhelm|first=Alex| title=Forbidden Broadway is Alive and Still Kicking Beginning Feb 22 Off Broadwat|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/187869-Forbidden-Broadway-Is-Alive-and-Still-Kicking-Beginning-Feb-22-Off-Broadway|publisher=Playbill|access-date=22 February 2014}}] Another off-Broadway version, ''Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging'', played in 2014 at the [Davenport Theatre](/source/Davenport_Theatre).[[Brantley, Ben](/source/Ben_Brantley). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/07/theater/forbidden-broadway-comes-out-swinging-a-satiric-revue.html?_r=0 "Knee-Jerk Revivals and Other Punch Lines"], ''The New York Times'', May 6, 2014] A London edition in 2014 began at the [Menier Chocolate Factory](/source/Menier_Chocolate_Factory)[Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/forbidden-broadway-extends-run-at-londons-menier-chocolate-factory-325094 "''Forbidden Broadway'' Extends Run at London's Menier Chocolate Factory"], ''Playbill'', July 23, 2014] and transferred to the [Vaudeville Theatre](/source/Vaudeville_Theatre), starring [Christina Bianco](/source/Christina_Bianco), [Anna-Jane Casey](/source/Anna-Jane_Casey), [Damian Humbley](/source/Damian_Humbley) and [Ben Lewis](/source/Ben_Lewis_(Australian_actor)), with Phillip George directing.[Cavendish, Dominic. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/11148372/Forbidden-Broadway-Vaudeville-Theatre-review.html "''Forbidden Broadway'', Vaudeville Theatre, review: 'witty musical parodies'"], ''[The Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)'' (London), October 8, 2014] In 2019, ''Forbidden Broadway Salutes Carol Channing'' played a celebration show for the late [Carol Channing](/source/Carol_Channing) in New York.[{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/forbidden-broadway-salutes-carol-channing-to-play-feinsteins-54-below|title=Forbidden Broadway Salutes Carol Channing to Play Feinstein's/54 Below|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=February 27, 2019|website=Playbill| access-date=2019-10-08}}]
''Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation'' opened on October 16, 2019, at New York's The Triad Theatre[[http://www.playbill.com/article/forbidden-broadway-the-next-generation-sets-closing-date-off-broadway "Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation Sets Closing Date Off-Broadway"] November 15, 2019] and later moved to The York Theatre in January of 2020.[Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/article/return-engagement-of-forbidden-broadway-the-next-generation-extends-run-at-york-theatre-company "Return Engagement of ''Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation'' Extends Run at York Theatre Company"], January 14, 2020] Again, the show was created, written and directed by Alessandrini. The plays and musicals parodied in this version included ''[Dear Evan Hansen](/source/Dear_Evan_Hansen)'', ''[Moulin Rouge!](/source/Moulin_Rouge!_(musical))'', ''[Tootsie](/source/Tootsie_(musical))'', ''[The Ferryman](/source/The_Ferryman_(play))'', ''[Hadestown](/source/Hadestown)'', ''[Fiddler on the Roof](/source/Fiddler_on_the_Roof)'', ''[Harry Potter and the Cursed Child](/source/Harry_Potter_and_the_Cursed_Child)'', ''[Oklahoma](/source/Oklahoma!)'', ''[Mary Poppins](/source/Mary_Poppins_(musical))'', ''[The Prom](/source/The_Prom_(musical))'', and ''[Fosse/Verdon](/source/Fosse%2FVerdon)''. The personalities portrayed included [Lin-Manuel Miranda](/source/Lin-Manuel_Miranda), [Judy Garland](/source/Judy_Garland), [Billy Porter](/source/Billy_Porter) and [Harold Prince](/source/Harold_Prince).[Meyer, Dan. [http://www.playbill.com/article/forbidden-broadway-the-next-generation-sets-closing-date-off-broadway "Name Change: ''Forbidden Broadway'' Sets Closing Date Off Broadway"], ''Playbill'', November 15, 2019][{{Cite magazine|url=https://playbill.com/article/forbidden-broadway-merrily-we-stole-a-song-opens-off-broadway-september-19|title=''Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song'' Opens Off-Broadway September 19 |first=Andrew |last=Gans|ref=none|magazine=Playbill |date=September 19, 2024|access-date=March 27, 2025}}] As of 2025 ''Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song'' is touring the United States.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
==Editions of ''Forbidden Broadway''==
*''Forbidden Broadway'' (1982)
*''Forbidden Broadway 1984''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1985''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1986: Summer Shock!''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1988''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1990''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1991½''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1992: Tenth Anniversary''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1992 Featuring Forbidden Christmas''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1993: Take No Prisoners''
*''Forbidden Broadway 1994''
*''Forbidden Hollywood" 1995''
*''[Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_Strikes_Back)'' (October 17, 1996 – September 20, 1998) (won [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Lyrics); nominated for the [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue))
*''[Forbidden Broadway Cleans Up Its Act](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_Cleans_Up_Its_Act)'' (November 17, 1998 – August 30, 2000) (nominated for [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue))
*''[Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_2001%3A_A_Spoof_Odyssey)'' (December 6, 2000 – 2001) (won [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue))
*''Forbidden Broadway 20th Anniversary Celebration'' (May 10, 2001 – 2004)
*''Forbidden Broadway Summer Shock II'' (July 5, 2004 – September 15, 2004)
*''Forbidden Vegas'' (2005)
*''[Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%3A_Special_Victims_Unit)'' (December 16, 2004 – April 15, 2007) (won [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue))
*''Forbidden Broadway: The Roast of Utopia'' (June 13, 2007 – August 22, 2007)
*''[Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%3A_Rude_Awakening)'' (October 2, 2007 – March 24, 2008) (won [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue))
*''[Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_Goes_to_Rehab)'' (September 17, 2008 – March 1, 2009)
*''Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking!'' (July 24, 2012 – April 28, 2013)
*''Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging'' (February 22, 2014 – July 20, 2014)[{{cite web|title=Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging! Closes Off-Broadway|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/forbidden-broadway-comes-out-swinging-closes-off-broadway-324600 |publisher=Playbill |access-date=12 December 2014}}]
*''Forbidden Broadway: West End'' (September 9, 2014 – November 22, 2014)[{{cite web|title=Forbidden Broadway: West End |url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/forbidden-broadway-west-end-tickets|publisher=London Box Office|access-date=22 September 2014}}]
*''Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation'' (September 18, 2019 – November 29, 2019)[{{cite web|title=Forbidden Broadway Will Return to New York This Fall|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/forbidden-broadway-will-return-to-new-york-this-fall|publisher=Playbill|access-date=7 October 2019}}]
*''Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song'' (September 19, 2024–present) (won [Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue](/source/Drama_Desk_Award_for_Outstanding_Revue))
==Albums==
* ''[Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 1](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%2C_Vol._1)'' – 1984
* ''[Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 2](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%2C_Vol._2)'' – 1991
* ''[Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 3](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%2C_Vol._3)'' – 1994
* ''[Forbidden Hollywood](/source/Forbidden_Hollywood_(parody))'' – 1995
* ''[Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_Strikes_Back)'' – 1996
* ''[Forbidden Broadway Cleans Up Its Act](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_Cleans_Up_Its_Act)'' – 1999
* ''[Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Edition](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%3A_20th_Anniversary_Edition)'' – 2000
* ''[Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_2001%3A_A_Spoof_Odyssey)'' – 2001
* ''[Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%3A_Special_Victims_Unit)'' – 2005
* ''[Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening](/source/Forbidden_Broadway%3A_Rude_Awakening)'' – 2008
* ''[Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab](/source/Forbidden_Broadway_Goes_to_Rehab)'' – 2009
* ''Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking!'' – 2012
* ''Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging!'' – 2014
* ''Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation!'' – 2020
==See also==
*''[Spamilton](/source/Spamilton)'' (2016–2017)
*''[Forbidden Hollywood](/source/Forbidden_Hollywood_(parody))''
*''[The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)](/source/The_Musical_of_Musicals_(The_Musical!))''
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk/episodes_0005.html Interview with Alessandrini for MusicalTalk Podcast]
{{DramaDesk Revue}}
Category:1982 musicals
Category:Off-Broadway musicals
Category:Musical parodies
Category:Revues
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Forbidden Broadway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Broadway) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_Broadway?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.