March 23, 2023
Article by Eve Copeland
Photos by JAMS Photography‘s Jerri Shafer
Are you a fan of Broadway musicals? Do you enjoy a good laugh? If so, you won’t want to miss the hilarious Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits, presented by Rise Up Arts Alliance.
Created by playwright Gerard Alessandrini, Forbidden Broadway is a cabaret revue that spoofs musical theater favorites such as Phantom of the Opera, Mama Mia, Les Miserable, and Annie. It also targets legendary artists who have impacted the “Great White Way” like Carol Channing, Mandy Patkin and Bob Fosse.
The show, directed by Carrie Moore, features an exceptionally talented cast of local singers including Lauren Bandman, Angela Russell, Paul Russell, Sara Vecchi, Mary Rizzardi and Ryan Whitescarver. Joey Austin serves as the jovial emcee and Que Jones fabulously accompanies the singers on the piano.
Forbidden Broadway is suitable for all ages and is fun even if you can’t catch all the references. Highlights include a Les Miserable sequence in which the actors navigate the “turntable” stage and Fantine (Bandman) laments dying in the first act. Another incredibly funny bit is when Whitescarver admits that while the theatre community generally looks down on Cats, he personally enjoys his costume and the roll play.
There is one weekend left to catch the show – March 1, 2, and 3, at the Lancaster Masonic Temple (224 Main Street, Lancaster). It starts at 7:00 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 1:00 pm on Sunday.
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for military and seniors. You may also purchase seats with a limited view of the stage for the discounted rate of $10 for general admission and $8.00 for military and seniors. You can purchase tickets online at riseuparts.ludus.com or at the box office immediately before the show.
Don’t miss this opportunity to “laugh until your face hurts”.
The next show for Rise Up Alliance will be The Lightning Thief beginning May 2. This musical is based on the best-selling Percy Jackson novel series by Rick Riordan.
