Allow yourself to see 'Forbidden Broadway'

Actors love their profession. They also love to make fun of it. If you know someone in theater, chances are you'll hear them mock everything from lyrics to costumes to the show's proper name.

"Forbidden Broadway" harnesses that love/hate energy, presenting it to audiences on stage at the off-Broadway Palm Dinner Theater.

The show — an off-Broadway staple in New York — pokes fun at such Broadway classics as "Chicago," "CATS," "Les Miserables," "Mamma Mia" and "Phantom of the Opera."

You don't have to be a theater buff to enjoy this show, but it sure helps. Otherwise, the jokes and impersonations may go right over your head.

If you know that Stephen Sondheim is known for his difficult-to-perform lyricheavy songs that stuff more words into a line than Joni Mitchell ever did, then you'll understand why the song "Into the Words" is so funny. (It's also a play on the title song of Sondheim's "Into the Woods.") In this number, three characters from "Sweeney Todd," "Into the Woods" and "Sunday in the Park With George" complain about his wordiness, his complex melodies and rhythms.

COURTESY PHOTO Forbidden Broadway and Glossy Fossy In "Oh No, Carol," two dancers (Jonathan Goodman and Jean-Pierre Ferragamo) sing about how Carol Channing keeps revising the lead role in "Hello, Dolly!" and how they wish she wouldn't. For her part, Elizabeth Christine Tanner does an ontarget parody of Miss Channing, with the low voice, wide-eyed stare and oversized lips. It's one of the best Carol Channing impersonations I've seen.

The three actors, along with Megan Cone, keep "Forbidden Broadway" moving quickly, from song to song, character to character, musical to musical. Like highly trained assassins, they quickly and deftly slip in the knife between the ribs, accurately skewering each musical before they'er off to the next one.

Ms. Cone portrays a 30-year-old Annie, who hasn't been able to get a stage job since she's portrayed everyone's favorite red-haired cartoon character. Smoking a cigarette and displaying more than a bit of attitude and cynicism, Cone complains bitterly about her fate.

Later, in Act Two, Cone's a brassy and loud Ethel Merman, chiding the Phantom of the Opera for using a microphone. Miss Merman, of course, had excellent lungs and didn't need a mic; most actors now would be lost without one.

COURTESY PHOTO Elizabeth Tanner as Carol Channing Ms. Cone and Ms. Tanner are hilarious in "America," the former as Chita Rivera and the latter as Rita Moreno. The two are often mistaken for each other, and the song pokes fun at their alleged rivalry. Though Chita initiated the role of Anita in "West Side Story," it was Rita who had the role in the film version — and won an Oscar for it. The number has the two in identical lavender dresses, dancing and insulting each other.

Mr. Ferragamo, initially, seemed miscast — until a solo allows him to show off his beautiful tenor.

This is a fine quartet of actors who keep the audience entertained for the 90-minute show. They poke fun at everyone and everything.

Mr. Goodman impersonates Mandy Patinkin and his overwrought singing and gesturing in "Somewhat Overindulgent."

And in the "Dancing Queen" number, Ms. Tanner and Ms. Cone sing, "We're high art/If you're 17."

They also spoof "Rent" ("We're overrated/ No, we're outdated.")

And to the tune of "Tradition" from "Fiddler on the Roof," they sing about how New York has 54,000 actors, "all trying their best not to end up in Cape Coral."

The show's musical director, William Asher, is on stage throughout, accompanying the singers on piano and sometimes good-naturedly abused by them as a prop.

In an interesting instance of creative cross-pollination, Jason Parrish, who by day is an associate director at the Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers, directed this production of "Forbidden Broadway." The show never lags, and he gets some spectacular impersonations out of his actors, particularly Ms. Tanner and Ms. Cone.

This is a lighthearted, fun night at the theater. And, as the opening number says, "It's just bubblegum."

The more theater you know, the more jokes you'll get. (For example, "I Enjoy Being a Cat," spoofing "CATS," is sung to the tune of "I Enjoy Being a Girl," and a song spoofing "Spamalot" is sung to the tune of "Camelot.")

Unfortunately, the night I attended, the couple sitting next to me talked through the entire show. During. Every. Single. Damn. Number.

It at first appeared they'd left during intermission, but no, they were simply late, and returned with drinks in their hand. (I had the strong feeling they weren't their first drinks of the evening.) They continued their talking, and then at one point the woman began stomping on the wooden riser to the beat of the music.

It ruined what would have been a much more fun night at the theater.

Too bad "Forbidden Broadway" didn't have a number spoofing loud, impolite, drunken audience members.

If you go

>>What: "Forbidden Broadway"

>>Where: the Off-Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd.

>>When: through Dec. 20

>>Cost: $23 to $45

>>Info: Call 278-4422 or go to www.Broadway- Palm.com