Touring Company of “Forbidden Broadway, Alive and Kicking” Coming to Husson University’s Gracie Theatre
Published on: January 17, 2014
BANGOR, MAINE – January 15, 2014 – Broadway’s favorite spoof and Tony® Award winner, “Forbidden Broadway, Alive and Kicking” comes to Husson University’s Gracie Theatre on Saturday, February 1 with two performances at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm. This is the third show in the Gracie Theatre’s season sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank, with additional support from Four Points by Sheraton.
“‘Forbidden Broadway’ spoofs 30 shows in 90 minutes. It’s like ‘Saturday Night Live’ and Broadway - all rolled up into one show,” said Jeri Misler, managing director of the Gracie Theatre.
Written by created by Gerald Alessandrini, “Forbidden Broadway, Alive and Kicking” is filled with satirical vignettes of recent hits including “The Book of Mormon,” “Wicked,” “Les Miserables,” “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark,” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Variety says, “You don’t have to be a Broadway musical fanatic to enjoy this immensely entertaining show.”
The musical has received a number of public accolades including nine Drama Desk Awards, a Special Tony®, an Obie, a Lucille Lortel and a Drama League Award. One of New York’s longest running musical comedy revues, the show features outrageous costumes, rewrites of songs, and dead-on impressions by a four-person cast and a pianist.
“Forbidden Broadway” has been entertaining audiences worldwide since 1982. The play has received national and international attention with performances in over 200 US cities as well as engagements in Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney and London’s Meniere Chocolate Factory.
The creator and writer of “Forbidden Broadway, Alive and Kicking,” Gerard Alessandrini, is best known for writing and directing all the editions of “Forbidden Broadway” and “Forbidden Hollywood” in New York, Los Angeles, London and around the world. He was also a member of the original cast of “Forbidden Broadway.”
Originally from Needham, Massachusetts and a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, Alessandrini is a New England native. In 1982, he created “Forbidden Broadway,” which has spawned 18 editions, eight cast albums and a record-breaking 30-year-run in New York.
Alessandrini’s television credits include writing comedy specials for Bob Hope and Angela Lansbury on NBC, Carol Burnett on CBS and “Masterpiece Tonight,” a satirical revue saluting “Masterpiece Theatre” on PBS. He can be heard on four of the eight “Forbidden Broadway” cast albums and on the soundtracks of Disney’s Aladdin and Pocahontas.
Tickets for “Forbidden Broadway, Alive and Kicking” at the Gracie Theatre start at $25.00 and are available at the box office, online at www.gracietheatre.com or by calling 941-7888.
Completed in October of 2009, The Gracie Theatre is Husson University's center for the fine and performing arts. This beautiful new 500-seat theatre is quickly earning a reputation as one of Maine’s premier performance venues. In addition, The Gracie also serves as a learning platform for students from the New England School of Communications at Husson University in digital audio, sound mixing, set design and construction, lighting, acting and electronics. For more information, visit GracieTheatre.com
For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.