Review: Cary Arts Center's FORBIDDEN BROADWAY

For one night only, the Cary Arts Center presented a production of Gerard Alessandrini's hit off-Broadway musical revue Forbidden Broadway. In the show, a quartet of performers sing rewritten parodies of classic musical theatre songs from classics such as Annie, Aspects of Love, Beauty & the Beast, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, Into the Woods, Jersey Boys, Les Miserables, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Oklahoma!, The Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, and Wicked.

The staging by directors Phillip George and Gerard Alessandrini (who is also responsible for some very clever spoofs) is quite simple. It's staged like a cabaret with only one piano player (musical director Catherine Stornetta), a fringe curtain, and a marquee, and a very talented quartet of performers (Gina Kreiezmar, Kevin B. McGlynn, Jeanne Montano, and Michael West). With all of those ingredients, Forbidden Broadway delivers exactly what it promises, a fun night out!

It's too bad it only played for one night in Cary. Luckily, this review should at least help raise awareness around Cary Arts Center as it not only offers up special performances, but even classes and programs for all ages.

http://www.townofcary.org/departments/parks__recreation___cultural_resources/facilities/cultural_arts_centers/caryartscenter.htm