Photo Coverage: Forbidden Broadway Marks 25th Anniversary

On Tuesday, October 2nd, Gerard Alessandrini's  Forbidden Broadway marked its 25th Anniversary with a brand-new edition Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening, at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47 Street).  To mark the occasion, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Office of Theatre, Film and Television named October 2, 2007 as "Forbidden Broadway Day."  Two-time Tony Award winner (and beloved subject of Forbidden Broadway parodies) Chita Rivera read a proclamation from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and unveiled a street sign renaming West 47th Street "Forbidden Broadway."  Also at the event were Broadway stars (and current fodder for Forbidden Broadway laughter), Ashley Brown of Mary Poppins and Daniel Reichard of Jersey Boys.

"Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening features spoofs of the season including Spring Awakening, Curtains, A Chorus Line, 'Grease: You're The One That We Want,' Legally Blonde, Frost/Nixon, Mary Poppins in addition to Company and Grey Gardens along with some classic bits from Forbidden Broadway's past quarter century," explain press notes.  This edition is created and written by Gerard Alessandrini and directed by Mr. Alessandrini and Phillip George. Featured in the cast are: Jared Bradshaw, Janet Dickinson, James Donegan and Valerie Fagan, with David Caldwell on piano. Costumes are by the legendary Alvin Colt, who was just honored with an exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York. Sets are by Megan Halpern and lighting is by Marc Janowitz.

Forbidden Broadway has been an unstoppable force in theatre since 1982 when Gerard Alessandrini created the first edition that lampooned the Broadway shows and stars of the day. Forbidden Broadway has won numerous awards in its history in addition to the Tony Honors, which include Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Awards.

The playing schedule for Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening is as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:15PM and Sundays at 7:30PM, with matinees on Wednesdays at 2:30PM, Saturdays at 4PM, and Sundays at 3:30PM. Tickets are $65 on Saturdays, at 8:15PM, Sundays at 7:30PM and Mondays at 8:15PM and are $60 for all other performances.  For tickets and information call Telecharge at 212-239-6200.  For Group Sales call 212-840-5564.

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening opened October 2

The 47th Street Theatre, home to Forbidden Broadway

Valerie Fagan, James Donegan, Janet Dickinson, Chita Rivera, Jared Bradshaw and Alvin Colt

The Proclamation from Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Chita Rivera reads the Proclamation

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

Chita Rivera

front row: Janet Dickinson, James Donegan, Jared Bradshaw, and Valerie Fagan
back row: Alvin Colt, Producer John Freedson, Nora Mae Lyng, Chita Rivera, Gerard Alessandrini

Ashley Brown with cast members James Donegan, Janet Dickinson, Jared Bradshaw and Valerie Fagan

Ashley Brown with her Forbidden Broadway counter-part, Valerie Fagan

Ashley Brown and Valerie Fagan

Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown and Chita Rivera

Ashley Brown and Chita Rivera

Daniel Reichard

Daniel Reichard, Chita Rivera and Gerard Alessandrini

Chita Rivera

Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening