Community theater group prepares for musical revue

 

Those attending Albert Lea Community Theatre’s upcoming performance should keep one thing in mind: It’s a joke.

It’s supposed to be.

“Forbidden Broadway” is a musical revue, performed as a series of sung parodies of all things Broadway, including beloved characters, actors and actresses and even those behind the scenes, like writers and composers. Not many are spared; the show takes hits at the likes of Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Sondheim, “Annie,” Carol Channing, Dustin Hoffman, “Wicked,” Mel Brooks and many more.

“It’s almost past satire,” director Rory Mattson said.

The director also described the production as “not quite theater.” Because it’s a revue, there isn’t one plot toward which each song or interaction points.

“When you do a revue, you have 25 of those little things,” Mattson said.

In “Forbidden Broadway,” there are over 30 acts.

According to actress Jenni Martin, this means the performers’ roles are shifting with every scene.

“You have to get an entire new mindset going,” she said.

Martin said satire has been a fun challenge as performers try to walk the fine line in mockery between too hammy and too mean.

For actress Rachel Cole, “Forbidden Broadway” has been a chance to test her comedy chops.

“I’ve never been able to do the comedic role,” she said. Instead, she has been cast more frequently in serious ones. Getting out of that routine has challenged her as an actress.

“Forbidden Broadway” is not a well-known classic,  actor Tony Segura acknowledged, and people might be worried they don’t know the music. But the cast encouraged community members to keep an open mind.

Don’t forget to laugh, too — from the set to the songs, it’s intended as one big punch line.

“It’s supposed to be funny,” actress Michelle Supalla said.

Mattson said lyric writer Gerard Alessandrini was a “master,” and that his cast — many of whom are relatively new to the ACT stage — have it well in hand.

“I’ve got a bunch of ’em that just knock it dead,” Mattson said.

Cast

Andrew Anderson

Rachel Cole

Jill Malepsy

Jenni Martin

Brian Mattson

Mollie Mickelson

Kyle Nelson

Logan Peterson

Tony Segura

Michelle Supalla

 

“Forbidden Broadway”

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and Oct. 24-27; 2 p.m. Oct. 21

Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center

Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for students

More info.: tickets can be purchased by phone at 1-877-730-3144, online at actonbroadway.com, at the box office or at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau