Musicals are almost always a great time at the theater. But do you know what can be even more fun? Making fun of musicals.
That’s the name of the game for “Forbidden Broadway,” an oft-updated revue that’s been parodying the Great White Way from off-Broadway for more than 40 years. From “Les Mis” to “Phantom of the Opera” to “Wicked” to “Hamilton,” writer Gerard Alessandrini has gleefully skewered them all.
Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse pulled together the best of the best from Alessandrini’s massive back catalog for “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits,” a four-person revue runs through March 8.
With more than 20 numbers jam-packed into this 90-minute show, theater fans will see their favorite shows and personalities made fun of by the ensemble of talented actors. This production stars Eric Acosta, Marshall Benton, Autumn Papczynski and Jamie Spurrell, all shining in individual numbers and working in perfect concert in the group songs.
Acosta’s physical and facial acting are especially strong. In a late second act number sending up “Cats,” he is lithe and exuberant, even in a cumbersome costume. He also got some of Wednesday night’s biggest laughs alongside Benton in a “Book of Mormon” parody where the two act as the musical’s writers, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, enthusiastically pretending to swear under a prolonged “bleeeeep.”
All four of the performers are great at emulating the voices that they’re parodying, but Benton is especially exceptional as an exaggeratedly affected Mandy Patinkin — his hand-waving and almost histrionic singing are hilarious.
The ladies are paired together to do some funny and fierce dancing in disco sparkles during a song about the brilliance of “Mama Mia!” where they both appeared to be having the time of their lives on opening night.
Papczynski excels at playing Lin-Manuel Miranda and rapping her way through a gentle ribbing of “Hamilton,” keeping the rhythm of the Broadway blockbuster tune “My Shot” at just the right cadence. She also earned big cheers for the second act opener “Lion King” number where she belts out big notes while the other three circle her in animal costumes.
And Spurrell does a dead-on Idina Menzel in Disney’s “Frozen,” a scene that is both musically and visually on point. But she brings the house down when she dons sequins again to play a dynamic and spacey Liza Minelli, draping herself over the piano and even doing some great crowd work.
Each act ends with a group number, and this ensemble makes the stage feel full with only the four of them for both “Les Mis” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Whether it’s singing, dancing or comedy, these performers have it nailed.
All that said, perhaps the most impressive aspect of the production is the group’s ability to quickly change from a walk-in closet’s worth of outfits. Costume designer Kalyn Paradis was the brightest star of this show; her costumes were so accurate that often at Wednesday’s opening night performance, songs would get guffaws before the music even started, just based on what the actors were wearing.
Scenic designer Katie Mikula-Wineman and lighting designer Cat Wilson knew just how to set the mood for each show, as well. The staging is simple but versatile, with easily recognizable elements — especially that “Phantom of the Opera” chandelier.
True kudos is owed to director Marcus Stevens, who got the timing just right, both for the comedy and for the ordering of the numbers themselves. He clearly has an impressive knowledge of so many Broadway shows, shaping each number to be both easily understood and larger-than-life enough to be satirical. And Douglas Levine guides all of the tunes with his piano accompaniment, hitting the flourishes just right.
All of the shows and stars lampooned in this revue enjoy lasting popularity, but be warned that some of the jokes can be a bit “inside baseball” when it comes to Broadway. But with nods to TikTok, the recent “Wicked” films and “South Park,” there’s definitely something for everyone here. It’s a fun experience for a night out in Downtown Pittsburgh.
“Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits” runs through March 8 at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse. For tickets, visit playhouse.pointpark.edu.