photo by Ann Pinson | Cast of Forbidden Broadway KMC Onstage. ()
If you’ve ever wondered where washed-up Annie actors go when they grow up, you can find out in the first scene of “Forbidden Broadway.” Playing now at the KCAC on Daenner Kaserne, this show is for musical fans who find themselves singing along with the Rum-tum-tugger or Jean Valjean. In fact, even if you hate overly hyped productions like “Rent”, this show is also for you.
“Forbidden Broadway” is a satirical open-fire roasting of the songs, plots and actors of famous Broadway productions. It is occasionally raunchy, occasionally ridiculous, but always a laugh riot.
Get there early and choose seats nearest the stage for the best sight and sound. While Ethel Merman was uproariously audible, the cast truly must head her advice to “sing from the diaphragm,” since they are not mic’d. Seating is on three sides of the floor-level performing space and a small bedazzled platform. While the downside to the non-tiered seating means occasional visibility issues, that is outweighed by the benefit of feeling like part of the action. At some point between the “Into the Woods” singalong and the “Cats” toys it became apparent that the choice to host this production in the KCAC’s larger thrust-stage theater was ideal for the level of audience interaction a space like this can offer.
Seeing “Forbidden Broadway” is less like watching a stage performance and more like participating in a cast sing along. The show is a hurricane barrelling through some of the most famous Broadway productions like “Chicago”, “Hello Dolly”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Wicked”. We stayed in the eye of the storm with “Les Misérables” for a while before continuing the attack on favorites like “Mama Mia”, “Spamalot” and “Hairspray”.
Directed by Naythen Rinehart, the show is at its best when the full cast is onstage and the energy is palpable. Between the giant productions are hysterical solo parodies of Mandy Patinkin, Liza Minelli and Barbra Streisand. As a bonus, the cast returns to the performing space after the final bows for photos and a chance at selfie’s in the sparkly photo booth.
You can still catch this raucous show next weekend at the KCAC on Deanner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Tickets are available at the door (card only), or you can book ahead via webtrac.
Performance Schedule (2023): March 3 & 4 at 7 p.m.
March 5 at 2 p.m.
March 10 & 11 at 7 p.m.
March 12 at 2 p.m.
