Forbidden Broadway 2001: A Spoof Odyssey, the wicked revue sendup of this season's batch of Broadway plays, musicals and trends, opened in New York City Dec. 6 after three months of development in previews, at the Stardust Theatre. Now, only two months later, the show is preserved on disk by DRG Records.
The 18-year theatrical tradition this season skewers Aida, Seussical, Contact, Riverdance, The Full Monty, Kiss Me, Kate, The Music Man, Sarah Brightman and more. The 2000-2001 cast, directed by Forbidden Broadway creator-founder Gerard Alessandrini (and choreographed and co-directed by Phillip George), includes Felicia Finley, Danny Gurwin, Tony Nation and FB veteran and favorite Christine Pedi. Catherine Stornetta is on piano.
All are included on the DRG disk, which offers 27 tracks and will be released Feb. 13. Among musical numbers of this edition are “Stritch” (not on the disk) in which Pedi, shifting from haunch to haunch, imitates the inimitable Elaine Stritch, here depicted as resigned to forever playing boozy broads. For her part, Finley takes on Marin Mazzie taking on the critics who’ve dissed her. Another segment mocks Contact’s use of recorded music, while a number held over from the previous FB parodies “The Circle of Life” to poke fun at neck and back injuries caused by The Lion King’s masks and costumes. New numbers also show Craig Bierko (The Music Man) and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever) taking their lumps, though Les Miserables seems positively rejuvenated by being crossed with Rocky Horror.
Here's the track list for the CD:
1. Forbidden Broadway 2001: Another Op'nin', Another Show
2. Futuristic Stewardess / Usherette: Come Fly With Me
3. Judi Dench: Why Can't The English?
4. Trouble in New York City: Trouble
5. The Music Man revival 2001: Till There Was You
6. Cole Porter: You're the Top / From This Moment On
7. Kiss Me, Kate Revival 2001: Wunderbar
8. I Hate Ben - Marin Mazzie: I Hate Men
9. Cheryl Ladd in Annie Get Your Gun: There's No Business Like Show Business
10. Miss Saigon Farwell: Why God Why?
11. Saturday Night Fiasco: Stayin' Alive
12. Gwen Verdon and the Fosse Dancers: I'm A Brass Band / Steam Heat
13. Liza Minnelli 2001 / Alan Cumming in Cabaret: Wilkommen.
14. Let's Ruin imes Square Again: Let's Do The Time Warp Again.
15. Ethel Merman and Elton John: I've Got Rhythm / Old Fashioned Wedding
16. Beauty's Been Decreased: Beauty and the Beast
17. Being LuPone: Being Alive
18. Sondheim's Blues: Buddy's Blues
19. Streisand's Farewell Tour: Happy Days Are Here Again / Mame
20. Les Miz 2001: Edith Piaf / Javert: Milord / Stars
21. Aida - Amneris' Intro: Every Story is a Love Story; Heather Headley / It's Cheesy - Easy As Life.
22. Elaborate Sets: Elaborate Lives
23. Angela Lansbury: I Don't Want to Know
24. The Full Monty: Let It Go
25. 76 Hit Shows: 76 Trombones
26. Bows-Ta-Ta Folks: Another Op'nin', Another Show
27. (Bonus track) Joseph and the Amazing High `C': Any Dream Will Do. *
Official opening for Forbidden Broadway 2001 - A Spoof Odyssey was delayed in previews because targets of certain sequences had made headlines — Liza Minnelli took ill and Gwen Verdon died. Some rewriting and refiguring was necessary. Previews began Sept. 7, 2000. A late October opening had been expected, but the show didn't officially open until Dec. 6. Designers are Bradley Kaye (set) and Alvin Colt (costumes).
Though the revue changes its parody songs constantly to stay current with theatre trends, every now and then creator-director Gerard Alessandrini gives the show a full once over, just to acknowledge how much new material has been added.
The 187-seat Stardust Theatre is downstairs in Ellen's Stardust Diner, next door to the Winter Garden Theatre at Broadway and 51st Street.
FB has played at several locations on Manhattan's upper East Side and upper West Side since its humble beginnings 18 years ago, in 1982.
The show has been seen around the country and around the world: London, Singapore, Japan, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Detroit, Melbourne and many other places. Past cast members include Jason Alexander, Chloe Webb, Dee Hoty and Bryan Batt.
Tickets are $49.50 and information on Forbidden Broadway call (212) 239-6200.
