Customer Reviews

Forbidden Broadway (20th Anniversary Edition)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Do you recall the Monty Python sketch about "the Killer Joke"? Well, I think I found the Killer Comedy CD. Having merely smiled at the introductory track of DRG's <Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Edition> (12626), I laughed steadily at the remaining 24 tracks of right-on satire and parody.

First of all, do not think that if you already own the previous Volumes 1-4, there is no need for purchasing this "Ultimate Unreleased Un-Original Cast Recording," because DRG has cleverly anticipated that sales resistance by including 8 previously unreleased tracks.

So what we have falls into several categories. We have attacks on the Broadway scene in general: ridiculously high prices, lack of melodies, inhuman miking, and so on. Then we have satires on specific plays: the total dominance of words over musical interest in "Into the Woods," the back-to-operetta in "Martin Guerre," the lack of human interest in "Cats." Next comes somewhat thinner ice, lampoons of specific performers: "Liza One-Note," "Stich," the "Somewhat Overindulgent" Mandy Patinkin," the "I Get A Kick Out of Me" Patti Lupone, and of course Streisand. The only one that made me feel a little uneasy was the undeniably funny but still of doubtful taste "I Couldn't Hit That Note" based on Julie Andrews' current vocal problems.

"I'm Chita, Not Rita" is truly an hysterical complaint of the Broadway actress (Rivera) whose parts invariably go to a Hollywood actress (Moreno), as is the lament of the original Annie who can get no other part after all these years. The delightful Carol Channing shows up herself to stop a spoof of her style and claims that "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery" just to show that the Truly Great do not mind recordings such as this.

And at the last, actors themselves get their come-uppance to even things out a little when they sing about their "Ambition" to the tune of "Tradition" on the final track.

Do not play this CD while driving or performing brain surgery. The resulting laughter can be injurious to someone's health.

It's hard to believe Forbidden Broadway has now been leaving no show unturned for over 20 years. Not only does this make for a great Best-Of album, marking the show's 20th birthday, but it brings out some previously un-released gems to the die-hard fans. How were we able to survive before the release of Liza One-Note!? Also previously un-released are "Import-Gavotte," a terrific parody of the British invasion of theatre set to My Fair Lady's "Ascot-Gavotte"; "I'm Martin Guerre," set to "It's Martin Guerre,"; "Old Revivals," a nod to war-horses such as Oklahoma, whose title song is warped for this parody; "Time I Said 'Goodbye'," which finally attacks Sarah Brightman; "I Sleep With Everyone," one of my favourites set to "Love Changes Everything,"; A divine Screamgirls number, and another jab at Cats, "I Enjoy Being a Cat" (another favourite of mine).

Aside from releases from the vaults, a lot of the numbers here are taken from Volume 2, with an even distribution of knocking Andrew Lloyd Weber, Stephen Sondheim, Chita Rivera, Les Miserables, and Ethel Merman. If you're just discovering Forbidden Broadway, this is a pretty good introduction to the earlier stuff (there isn't too much from Volumes 4 and 5, and was released before Volume 7). Otherwise, it's still worth the money for the stuff you otherwise couldn't get.

The ultimate bad-mood buster, Forbidden Broadway has always been guaranteed to please, and this recording is the icing on the cake.

Forbidden Broadway has really had a great life so far poking fun at the popular shows playing on Broadway, the composers, producers, and performers. Its sort'a like Weird Al goes Broadway. The lyrics are witty and endlessly clever. And the impersonations are incredible!

I think this actual cd is good for a "beginner" because it gives you a good "a la carte" to choose from. And after a while of listening to it, you'll find that you know those lyrics better than the acutall show lyrics.

This is a great purchase, true, but also check out the other Forbidden Broadway shows, and Forbidden Hollywood (a spoof on movies).

I grew up just a one-hour train ride from Broadway, and from the age of 14 to 27, I saw a handful of musicals and a double handful of dramas. My big-time theatrical history begins with seeing "My Fair Lady" from the cheapest balcony seat, and ends with Danny Kaye in "Two-by-Two" in 1971. I fell in love with it all, and dreamed of getting a public-relations job in that neighborhood. Alas, not meant to be. I moved 2,000 miles away in '71, and never went back. But I would have loved to attend the nearly annual "Forbidden Broadway" revue that began in 1981. I knew nothing about it until a couple of weeks ago, when I heard four selections from this CD on National Public Radio. I bought my own copy the next day. It is a hoot, but as with most comedic offerings, not one you need to keep in your collection for years, or play often. Once you have heard it twice, and played your favorite tracks for friends, it makes a nice gift to someone who can't afford to buy it. That's what I plan to do with mine soon. Meanwhile, I will hear the funny take-offs on "Music Man" and "My Fair Lady" and "Annie" and "Into the Woods" and "Les Miserables" and "Aspects of Love" and "Cats" and "Fiddler on the Roof" a few more times. There is also a wonderful and long-needed parody of "America" from "West Side Story" which explains the differences between Chita Rivera and Rita Moreno. Those of us who came of "theatre age" in the late '50's will recall that for a decade or more, every new musical had either Chita or Rita on stage. At least, it seemed so. Humor is a matter of taste, and not every track here is powerful or kind, but the main reason I gave this four stars instead of five is the absence of a lyric sheet. Some of the clever words are simply too difficult to discern, especially in the choral pieces. If you like Broadway shows, have some familiarity with the ones spoofed in this compilation, and possess a sense of humor (Les Miz is a favorite show of mine, but the criticisms in the spoof are also deadly accurate), you will enjoy this disc.

All I can say is that anyone who has any interest in musical theatre must own this CD. Even if you own all of the other CD's. The new material is fantastic especially Liza One Note (on of the cruelest and funniest parodies you will ever hear). Beyond that any CD that includes the Ragtime and Les Miz parodies along with the star turns by a faux Elaine Stritch and a Patti Lupone is one that belongs in everyone's library. It brings back so many happy memories of the six times I have seen the show (and even if you have never seen it - trust me, the CD is still funny). I howl everytime I play it.

I love this!!! The best numbers are Circle of Mice and Chita Rita. A CD for all to enjoy. Also listen to I Enjoy Being A Cat. This is the coolest CD!!!

A complilation disc of the best of Forbidden Broadway plus some tunes that never found their way to CD. This CD should be brought if only because it finally immortalizes the "Love Changes Everything" parody (I, I sleep with everyone...) from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love. I've been wanting to hear this one for years, and it is brillant.

After having seen Chrstine Pedi, star of Forbidden Broadway, on the London stage, my mission was to own every CD produced since Forbidden Broadway emerged in 1992. A master of voices, Christine appears in most of the releases, however, the cast is so extraordinary, you will be amazed at their portrayals and Gerard Alessandrini's writing and the talent that pulls off the most scathing and insider lampooning of Broadway you will ever hear! As the "Capitol Steps" is to Washington, Forbidden Broadway will make you smile and blush as they prove no B-Way classic or Diva is immune to their taunting. Creative parody and insightful criticism provides entertainment with every track. If you want a sample, buy the 20th anniversary edition which provides a "best of" array of songs. You will eventually own all of them! Every time I listen I hear a new masterful vocal portrayal or insider joke that not only causes me to smile but also reinforces my belief that Gerard and Christine and Co. are some of the most amazing unsung talents off-off-off-off-Broadway! If you know the shows, you WILL indeed enjoy!

I had the wonderful opportunity to see this show at the Douglas Fairbank Theatre in New York City. It was hillarious! I laughed so hard that I was crying! I even got to meet some of the cast members afterwards. This recording is equally as funny as the show, but actually getting to see them act out the songs makes it even better! My favorites were the "Lion King" and "Les Miserables" skits. For anyone who likes spoofs and isn't afraid to hear one of their favorite shows criticised, this is for you!

This is the best Broadway compilation you can buy. This CD takes 17 classic selections plus 8 previously unreleased Forbidden Broadway tracks. I especially enjoy the Annie, Ragtime, and Julie Andrews selections. I now own all of the Forbidden Broadway CDs and if you are a new collector of them, I would say get this one first to sample all of the CDs. If you like Broadway or like parodies, I know you like this CD!