The updated iteration of Gerard Alessandrini’s long-running Forbidden Broadway revue is heading back to Off Broadway following a brief flirtation with the prospect of a Broadway move.
Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song will begin previews August 23 at Theater555 on West 42nd Street. Opening night is set for Thursday, September 12.
Earlier this year, producers for the show announced that the satirical revue would make its decades-in-coming Broadway debut at the Hayes Theatre sometime this summer, but the planned staging was an early casualty of Broadway’s very crowded spring-summer season. Last month, the Broadway producers Ryan Bogner, Victoria Lang and Tracey McFarland said the Hayes staging wouldn’t happen due to the “enormously crowded” Broadway landscape.
Today, Forbidden Broadway creator Gerard Alessandrini said, “I am thrilled that this latest incarnation of the show that I had been preparing for more than a year, can now open Off Broadway,...
Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song will begin previews August 23 at Theater555 on West 42nd Street. Opening night is set for Thursday, September 12.
Earlier this year, producers for the show announced that the satirical revue would make its decades-in-coming Broadway debut at the Hayes Theatre sometime this summer, but the planned staging was an early casualty of Broadway’s very crowded spring-summer season. Last month, the Broadway producers Ryan Bogner, Victoria Lang and Tracey McFarland said the Hayes staging wouldn’t happen due to the “enormously crowded” Broadway landscape.
Today, Forbidden Broadway creator Gerard Alessandrini said, “I am thrilled that this latest incarnation of the show that I had been preparing for more than a year, can now open Off Broadway,...
- 5/29/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Update, with new opening date: Producers of Gerard Alessandrini’s Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song have moved up the preview and opening dates by two weeks, with previews now beginning on July 15 ahead of an official opening on August 5 at the Hayes Theatre. The limited engagement runs through November 1.
Alessandrini’s longtime Off Broadway satirical revue Forbidden Broadway will make its long-in-coming Broadway debut with the full title of the new iteration called Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song
The cast and the rest of the creative team will be announced later. In addition to a five-person cast including the onstage pianist, weekly guest stars will appear throughout the engagement.
Alessandrini, who first staged the revue in 1982 at New York’s 130-seat Palsson’s Supper Club, said in a statement today, “I’d never have believed that Forbidden Broadway would end up on...
Alessandrini’s longtime Off Broadway satirical revue Forbidden Broadway will make its long-in-coming Broadway debut with the full title of the new iteration called Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song
The cast and the rest of the creative team will be announced later. In addition to a five-person cast including the onstage pianist, weekly guest stars will appear throughout the engagement.
Alessandrini, who first staged the revue in 1982 at New York’s 130-seat Palsson’s Supper Club, said in a statement today, “I’d never have believed that Forbidden Broadway would end up on...
- 2/29/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael McGrath, the veteran stage actor who received a Tony Award for his performance in the musical Nice Work If You Can Get It, has died. He was 65.
McGrath died unexpectedly in his sleep Thursday at his home in Bloomfield, New Jersey, his publicist told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death has been determined.
A regular in Broadway and off-Broadway musicals and musical comedy productions, McGrath had starring turns in Plaza Suite, Tootsie, Memphis, Born Yesterday and Wonderful Town. He was also the first actor to play Patsy, King Arthur’s long-suffering sidekick, in Spamalot, which earned him his first Tony nomination.
“Very saddened to hear that Michael McGrath, our first and most beloved Patsy in Spamalot, has passed away,” Idle wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Warm hugs to all the Spamalot family and very happy memories of a lovely man.”
McGrath was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sept.
McGrath died unexpectedly in his sleep Thursday at his home in Bloomfield, New Jersey, his publicist told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death has been determined.
A regular in Broadway and off-Broadway musicals and musical comedy productions, McGrath had starring turns in Plaza Suite, Tootsie, Memphis, Born Yesterday and Wonderful Town. He was also the first actor to play Patsy, King Arthur’s long-suffering sidekick, in Spamalot, which earned him his first Tony nomination.
“Very saddened to hear that Michael McGrath, our first and most beloved Patsy in Spamalot, has passed away,” Idle wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Warm hugs to all the Spamalot family and very happy memories of a lovely man.”
McGrath was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sept.
- 9/15/2023
- by Abid Rahman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The York Theatre Company will present the return engagement of the hit Off-Broadway production of Gerard Alessandrini's hilarious musical spoof of all things theatre Forbidden Broadway The Next Generation. Performances are set to resume Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 700 p.m. for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, February 9, 2020 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue.
- 12/2/2019
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway, one of NYC's best-loved and highly anticipated productions, is back this season after a five-year absence.Spoofs include Hadestown, Moulin Rouge, this season's Oklahoma revival, The Ferryman, Tootsie, Beetlejuice, Frozen, the Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof,, Dear Evan Hansen, and the new generation of Broadway stars including Billy Porter, Santino Fontana, Karen Olivio, Alex Brightman and exciting turns by Bette Midler, Andre De Shields, Bernadette Peters, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and several surprises.
- 10/16/2019
- by TV - Opening Night Special
- BroadwayWorld.com
Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway, one of NYC's best-loved and highly anticipated productions, is back this season after a five-year absence. Spoofs include Hadestown, Moulin Rouge, this season's Oklahoma revival, The Ferryman, Tootsie, Beetlejuice, Frozen, the Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof,, Dear Evan Hansen, What the Constitution Means to Me, and the new generation of Broadway stars including Ben Platt, Billy Porter, Santino Fontana, Karen Olivio, Alex Brightman and exciting turns by Bette Midler, Andre De Shields, Bernadette Peters, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and several surprises.
- 10/10/2019
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
From the mind of Gerard Alessandrini -- the award-winning creator of the theatrical legend Forbidden Broadway and the recent hit Spamilton -- comes a thrilling new nightclub presentation, Anything Can Happen in the Theatre The Songs of Maury Yeston for 12 nights only October 4th through October 21st...
- 9/29/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
From the mind of Gerard Alessandrini -- the award-winning creator of the theatrical legend Forbidden Broadway and the recent hit Spamilton -- comes a thrilling new nightclub presentation, Anything Can Happen in the Theatre The Songs of Maury Yeston for 12 nights only October 4th through October 21st...
- 9/29/2017
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
One would have to have a heart of stone not to like Lin-Manuel Miranda. No, love Lin-Manuel Miranda. He is not only tremendously talented but one of the most endearing figures on Broadway. Devoted to his wife, son, and parents committed to raising money for worthy causes a pop-singing child, a Fiddler On The Roof-dancing groom, and an endlessly versatile professional author of Disney's latest girl-power anthem Tweeter of endless kind words to his fans and the general public...how could Gerard Alessandrini, the impresario behind Forbidden Broadway, hold him up for mockery, making 'Lin-Manuel as Hamilton' the subject of his latest spoof, Spamilton Well, the monolith called Hamilton has a life of its own, and with its well-deserved status as not just a Broadway sensation but an American cultural landmark comes an invitation to parody.
- 4/27/2017
- by Remy Holzer
- BroadwayWorld.com
As the Broadway mega hit “Hamilton” takes over the city of Chicago, so, too, does its acclaimed Off-Broadway counterpart, “Spamilton.” The satirical take on the Founding Fathers rap musical is casting for its upcoming production in the Windy City in this week’s roundup of casting notices. We’ve also got four more theatrical jobs including an open call for Broadway’s “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” the West End’s “Aladdin,” a new musical’s developmental lab and more! “Spamilton”“Spamilton,” the Off-Broadway hit spoofing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton,” is casting talent for its forthcoming Chicago production. Written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini of “Forbidden Broadway” renown, the production will hold Equity principal auditions on Jan. 18, with a run set for Mar. 3–Mar. 29. West End “Aladdin” Open Calla whole new world, indeed. The West End production of Disney’s “Aladdin” is casting talent for its ensemble. Seeking both...
- 1/13/2017
- backstage.com
Forbidden Broadway creator Gerard Alessandrini visits Theater Talk to discuss his newest and perhaps most au courant theater parody Spamilton, the critically acclaimed 'skewering' - for which he is writer and director - of Hamilton, the biggest Broadway hit of our time. The cast of Spamilton, currently at The Triad Theatre, joins him and performs highlights of three numbers from the show.
- 10/21/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Forbidden Broadway creator Gerard Alessandrini visits Theater Talk to discuss his newest and perhaps most au courant theater parody Spamilton, the critically acclaimed 'skewering' - for which he is writer and director - of Hamilton, the biggest Broadway hit of our time. The cast of Spamilton, currently at The Triad Theatre, joins him and performs highlights of three numbers from the show.
- 10/19/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
From Gerard Alessandrini, the mastermind behind Forbidden Broadway, comes Spamilton, a sneak peek into his ongoing obsession with Lin-Manuel Miranda'sHamilton. This summer, for 18 performances only,audiences will have the opportunity to share in Alessandrini's madness, at the Triad 158 West 72nd Street, for an evening that celebrates, roasts and eviscerates the Broadway blockbuster. The first performance will take place on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.
- 6/23/2016
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Drg Records just kicked off the release of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging 2014 Un-Original Cast Album, produced by Grammy Award winner Hugh Fordin, yesterday at Barnes amp Noble 150 East 86 Street. The cast along with writercreator and director Gerard Alessandrini and longtime Forbidden Broadway illustrator and CD cover artist Ken Fallin, were on hand to sign the CD and for performances. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the special event below...
- 7/26/2014
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Drg Records just kicked off the release of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging 2014 Un-Original Cast Album, produced by Grammy Award winner Hugh Fordin, yesterday at Barnes amp Noble 150 East 86 Street. The cast along with writercreator and director Gerard Alessandrini and longtime Forbidden Broadway illustrator and CD cover artist Ken Fallin, were on hand to sign the CD and for performances. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the big event below...
- 7/23/2014
- by Genevieve Rafter Keddy
- BroadwayWorld.com
Drg Records celebrates the release of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging 2014 Un-Original Cast Album which is produced by Grammy Award winner Hugh Fordin, and is available in stores and online today, July 22nd. To kick off the CD release, Barnes amp Noble 150 East 86 Street will host an in-store appearance and performance from 4pm - 6pm. This CD marks Forbidden Broadway's 12th cast recording with Drg Records. Featured on the album are cast members Carter Calvert, Scott Richard Foster, Mia Gentile and Marcus Stevens, with David Caldwell on piano.
- 7/22/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The cast of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging records the original cast CD for Drg Records today at Avatar Studios. Produced by Hugh Fordin, the release date is soon to be announced. This CD marks Forbidden Broadway's 12th cast recording with Drg Records. Featured on the original cast recording are cast members Carter Calvert, Scott Richard Foster, Mia Gentile and Marcus Stevens, with David Caldwell on piano. The show is currently playing at the Davenport Theatre 354 West 45th Street - between 8th and 9th Avenues. Tickets can be purchased by calling Telecharge at 212 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.
- 5/15/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
It seems Hugh Jackman can’t get Broadway out of his system. After the May 23 opening of the supersized Marvel opus X-Men: Days of Future Past, he will preside over the 2014 Tony Awards on CBS June 8 (where we can possibly see a taste of the song-and-dance man of The Boy From Oz and Oklahoma!), and it was just announced that he will return to the NYC stage this fall in a brand-new play by acclaimed playwright Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem) called The River, set in a remote rural cabin and featuring only three actors. And despite the fact that Jackman could...
- 5/10/2014
- by Jason Clark
- EW.com - PopWatch
The gloves are off One of the most highly anticipated new shows of the season,Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging opened Sunday night, May 4th at 7Pm at the newly refurbished Davenport Theatre 354 West 45th Street - between 8th and 9th Avenue. This up-to-the-minute new edition includes Alessandrini's takes on Hedwig, Idina Menzel, Rocky, Cabaret, The Bridges of Madison County, Aladdin, Pippin, the turntable-less Les Miz, Motown, The Sound of Music Live, Bullets Over Broadway, Kinky Boots and Matilda, among others.BroadwayWorld brings you highlights of the cast in action below...
- 5/6/2014
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
Is it unsporting to slam a spoof? The many editions of Forbidden Broadway have enjoyed a free pass from reviewers for more than 30 years, regardless of quality and consistency. There’s something talismanic about the franchise; its satire, like that of Lear’s fool, is supposed to be salubrious and thus deserving of special dispensation. But in Lear the fool is smarter than the potentate being teased. In Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging! — newly subtitled in honor of Rocky — not so much. The formula remains the same: a series of takeoffs on current (or not-so-current) Broadway musicals, in which songs from the shows in question, or relevant to them, are retrofitted with gotcha lyrics by Gerard Alessandrini. Even in this particularly slow-witted edition, these work when they work: Pippin’s circusy overcompensation for its dreadful book is swiftly dispatched in “Damage to Do” as “colored lights / to hide what bites.
- 5/5/2014
- by Jesse Green
- Vulture
Photo Flash: Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging! Takes on Hedwig, Cabaret, Rocky, Aladdin & More!
The gloves are off One of the most highly anticipated new shows of the season, Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging opens Sunday, May 4th at 7Pm at the newly refurbished Davenport Theatre 354 West 45th Street - between 8th and 9th Avenue. This up-to-the-minute new edition will include Alessandrini's takes on Hedwig, Idina Menzel, Rocky, Cabaret, The Bridges of Madison County, Aladdin, Pippin, the turntable-less Les Miz, Motown, The Sound of Music Live, Bullets Over Broadway, Kinky Boots and Matilda, among others. Check out new photos from the production below...
- 5/2/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway returned to New York in February at the newly refurbished Davenport Theatre 354 W. 45th Street, Between 8th and 9th Avenues with Forbidden Broadway Alive and Still Kicking. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, over the course of the spring, Alessandrini had planned on adding new material to reflect the season's openings. Now, the time as come to unveil the new edition, Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging According to The New York Times, this version will begin performances March 17.
- 3/12/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The cast has been announced for Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway, one of NYC's best-loved and highly anticipated productions, which happily returns to New York with Forbidden Broadway Alive and Still Kicking on February 22nd at the newly refurbished Davenport Theatre 354 W. 45th Street, Between 8th and 9th Avenues. Erica Dorfler Book of Mormon, Memphis, Carter Calvert Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, Smokey Joe's Cafe and join Scott Richard Foster and Marcus Stevens, who starred in last year's edition. Forbidden Broadway Alive and Still Kicking features brand new takes on the shows that opened in Forbidden Broadway's absence Pippin, Kinky Boots, Matilda and Motown along with highlights from last season's acclaimed and very popular edition Once, Evita, Newsies, Book of Mormon, among others. Over the course of the spring, Alessandrini will continue to add new material to reflect the season's openings, and unveil the new edition around the time of the Tony Awards.
- 1/30/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
After a 10-month hiatus, Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway, one of NYC's best-loved and highly anticipated productions, happily returns to New York, beginning February 22nd at the newly refurbished Davenport Theatre 354 W. 45th Street, Between 8th and 9th Avenues with Forbidden Broadway Alive and Still Kicking, featuring brand new takes on the shows that opened in Forbidden Broadway's absence Pippin, Kinky Boots, Matilda and Motown along with highlights from last season's acclaimed and very popular edition Once, Evita, Newsies, Book of Mormon, among others.
- 1/24/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Gerard Alessandrini's, Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking, which received unanimous raves from critics and audiences alike, broke all box-office records at the 47th Street Theatre, and won spots on the Top Ten Lists of Time Magazine and the Associated Press, will wind up its current edition at the 47th Street Theatre on Sunday, April 28, in order to make room for The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre's own season, as required by the show's lease agreement with the theatre. In a statement, Mr. Alessandrini said, We knew from the start that the theatre could only be ours until the end of April. Although we hate to leave town when we're a hit, I actually think this is a perfect time for us to wind up Alive and Kicking, which has been a thrilling return to New York for us, to take a brief break and to begin plans to return with another edition later this year.
- 3/12/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The cast of Gerard Alessandrini's Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking will be performing parodies of Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe in the film Les Miserables on Good Day New York on Wednesday, February 27,2013 in the 9'oclock hour. The hit musical at the 47th Street Theatre 304 West 47th Street - just west of Eighth Avenue continues through April 28th and is co-directed by Phillip George. Time Magazine and the Associated Press recently awarded Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking spots on their Top Ten Lists, with Time Magazine making it their Top Musical pick for 2012. The show is also a Critic's Pick for The New York Times, The Daily News and New York Magazine. Drg Record's cast recording Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking The Un-Original Cast Album, is now available in stores, on iTunes and Amazon.com.
- 2/26/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
With Academy Awards season upon us, Gerard Alessandrini has just added a brand new Les Miserables film spoof, featuring parodies of Hugh Jackman, Ann Hathaway and Russell Crowe, to the hit musical Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking at the 47th Street Theatre 304 West 47th Street - just west of Eighth Avenue. Check out photos of the cast in action below...
- 2/1/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The producers of Gerard Alessandrini's acclaimed Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking are pleased to announce that Lindsay Nicole Chambers will join the cast of the hit musical on Tuesday, February 5 at the 47th Street Theatre 304 West 47th Street. Last seen on Broadway in Lysistrata Jones, Ms. Chambers replaces Jenny Lee Stern whose last performance is Sunday, February 3rd. Forbidden Broadway Alive And Kicking is scheduled to run through April 28th . The new recording, from Drg Records, is now available in stores, on iTunes and at Amazon.com.
- 1/18/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Mike Longo is ecstatic to be back with Nymf, only this time, a part of 2012's Next Broadway SensationThis Bensonhurst, Brooklyn native was last seen with Nymf '11 in Gerard Alessandrini's Madame X starring Donna English. He has just returned from Surflight Theatre's production of Once Upon A Time In New Jersey co-starring with previous Nymf Broadway Sensation 2007 winner, George Psomas. Other credits include Villa Diodati A Chamber Opera and Joe Stein's Heaven Can Wait, both at the York Theatre.
- 10/1/2012
- by NYMF Next Broadway Sensation 2012
- BroadwayWorld.com
Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking To the strains of "Brink of Doom" (à la Brigadoon), the parody institution Forbidden Broadway — skewering the Great White Way for 30 years now — reemerges after a three-year hiatus. And just in nick of time: Dear God, there are Singing Newsboys and faux-Czech pixie goddesses running amok (and unmocked) in the theater district! This must not go unanswered!Creator, co-director, and lyrical savant Gerard Alessandrini marshals a flawless quartet of singing, dancing impressionistas (Natalie Charlé Ellis, Scott Richard Foster, Jenny Lee Stern, and Marcus Stevens, with David Caldwell on piano) with another passionate attack on high-priced, low-inspiration commercial theater. He warms up a few leftovers (his old Disney-baiting "Circle of Mice," a slightly stale Jersey Boys sequence), but the fresh stuff is fresh indeed. "S'Wonder Bread! S'mayonnaise!" sings Nice Work's Matthew Broderick, "When I try to dance!" (A brilliantly leadfooted, fast-collapsing soft-shoe ensues.) "Take my cramping...
- 9/7/2012
- by Scott Brown
- Vulture
Just when you thought there was a brief pause in the theater award nomination season, another organization announces candidates for its honors. After the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama League announced their nominees on April 23 and 24 respectively, the Off Broadway Alliance -- a group of Off-Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms -- released their short list for citations on Wednesday, April 25.In addition to six competitive categories, the group will present six Legend of Off-Broadway honors. The recipients are playwright Edward Albee; Gerard Alessandrini, who created the "Forbidden Broadway" series of revues; actor Kathleen Chalfant; actor Catherine Russell, who just celebrated 25 years playing the same role in "Perfect Crime," the longest-running show in Off-Broadway history; and actor Mary Louise Wilson. Two 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Hall of Fame Awards are being posthumously presented to theater critic Howard Kissel and producer Theodore Mann....
- 4/25/2012
- by help@backstage.com (David Sheward)
- backstage.com
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