FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Comes To Menier Chocolate Factory For Limited Run 6/25-9/13

Gerard Alessandrini (creator, writer and director) and Philip George (director) will bring their multi-award winning satirical musical, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, for a limited run only at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 25 June to 13 September, with press night on 02 July. The show, which last month wrapped up its record-breaking 27-year run in New York makes its first visit to London in 10 years.

The London cast is Anna-Jane Casey, Sophie-Louise Dann, Alasdair Harvey and Steven Kynman. Set designs are by Morgan Large, with costumes designs by Alvin Colt, lighting by David Howe and musical direction by Joel Fram. Forbidden Broadway is presented in association with John Freedson and Harriet Yellin.

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, presents an informal and entertaining look at the history of the American musical theatre, lampooning and spoofing some of the current and contemporary musicals as well as targeting actors, directors, composers and writers. Last seen on our shores 10 years ago, this updated version created especially for the Menier Chocolate Factory, will feature numbers from some of the best theatre productions seen both on Broadway and in the West End in recent years, including old favorites: The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, they also have their sights set on Hairspray, Avenue Q, Wicked, Jersey Boys, La Cage Aux Folles, Sunday in the Park with George and many more...

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY was first seen at Palsson's Supper Club in New York January 1982. Unemployed actor Gerard Alessandrini wanted a showcase for his talents and put together as a nightclub act, a selection of some of the musical parodies of Broadway shows he had written. Lauded by critics and audiences alike Forbidden Broadway has since become New York's longest running musical comedy revue, winning Drama Desk, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and recently receiving a Tony Honor.

Forbidden Broadway was last seen in London in1999 at the Jermyn Street Theatre and later that year the production transferred to the West End to the Albery Theatre, where it enjoyed a sell -out run.

Anna-Jane Casey was last seen at the Menier Chocolate Factory as Dot in the Olivier Award Winning Sunday in the Park with George. Most recently she has been reprising the role of Velma in Chicago. Her other West End theatre credits include Cats, Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out of the Blue, Starlight Express and West Side Story. She has also appeared in Candide for the BBC at the Royal FestivAl Hall, Wild, Wild Women at the Orange Tree Theatre, My One and Only for Chichester Festival Theatre and On Your Toes at the Royal FestivAl Hall and on tour in Japan. Her film and television credits include Amy in The Royal, Shirl in Doctors, Beyond The Sea directed by Kevin Spacey, Sophie in Eastenders, and Linda Kemp in The Bill. She has recently filmed guest lead roles in Heartbeat and Holby City.

Sophie Louise Dann appeared in Forbidden Broadway at the Jermyn Street Theatre and Albery Theatre when the production was last in the UK. Her theatre credits include Music Man, How to Succeed in Business, The Government Inspector, Seven Doors and Out of This World for the Chichester Festival Theatre, The Mikado, Iolanthe and Pirates of Penzance at the Gielgud Theatre, the UK tours of High Society and The Boyfriend as well as HMS Pinafore and Yeoman of the Guard at the Savoy Theatre. Her television credits include Goodnight Sweetheart, My Summer with Des, Julie and the Cadillacs, Charlie Come Home and Home on Sunday. Her films credits include The Phantom of the Opera.

Alasdair Harvey was also last seen at the Menier Chocolate Factory playing the roles of Dennis and the Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George, continuing the role when the show transferred to the West End. His most recent theatre credits include Come Dancing at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Two and Shirley Valentine at the Lichfield Garrick Rep and Side by Side by Sondheim at The Venue. His West End credits include Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard and Aspects of Love. His television credits include Taggart, The Bill, River City, Casualty, Holby City and Birds of a Feather.

Steven Kynman also appeared in Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End playing Franz. Most recently he has played Bernard in Death of a Salesman at Theatre Royal York and Prince Herbert in Monty Python's Spamalot at the Palace Theatre. His TV credits include Gigglebiz, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Moving Wallpaper, MI High and Crawford Park. His film credits include Pinocchio, Azur & Asmur, Atonement, Ozzie and A Higher Agency, playing opposite Antony Sher and Jack Davenport which recently swept the board at the New York First Run Film Festival.

Under the direction of Artistic Director David Babani, and having recently celebrating its fifth birthday, the Menier Chocolate Factory, as well as producing in SE1 at its home theatre, has transferred seven productions to the West End - most recently Maria Friedman Re-Arranged, La Cage aux Folles which is currently playing at The Playhouse Theatre and A Little Night Music which opened at the Garrick Theatre earlier this month. As well as the theatre space, the multi award-winning Menier Chocolate Factory has a restaurant serving pre-theatre and a la carte menus.

Dates: 25 June - 13 September 2009
Press Night: 02 July 2009
Box Office: 0207 907 7060
Restaurant: 0207 407 4411
Tickets: Previews (25 June - 01 July) all seats £20, meal deal £29
Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm & Sunday at 3pm £25

Saturday matinees £15, concessions £20

Meal Deal (2 courses pre-theatre plus show)
£24 (Saturday matinee), all other performances £34
£2 transaction fee on phone bookings
Address: 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU
Transport: London Bridge Tube, Borough High Street exit, RV1 and 381 buses
On street parking after 6.30pm or all day Saturday & Sunday
Website: www.menierchocolatefactory.com
no booking fee for on-line bookings