photo: courtesy of Michael Brosilow
The old adage, "always leave audiences wanting more" couldn't be more apropos for this hilarious, fast-paced musical revue playing at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre. Gerard Alessandrini's sassy satire, named after the popular
Law and Order, features snippets from most of the recent Broadway-in-Chicago productions.
"Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit" opens with curly red-haired actress, wearing a childish red-and-white dress, singing, "I'm 30 years old, tomorrow, and I'm still playing Annie." A shot rings out and in rush Michael West as detective Jerry Orbach and Jarod Bradshaw as NYPD psychologist B.D. Wong to investigate the murder; but this is just the first of a series of crimes about to unfold in the next 90 minutes.
Valerie Fagan's Brooke Shields, a "replacement of the replacement of the replacement of the replacement of the original star," clumsily attempts to sing and dance her way through Chicago. Michael West's Robert Goulet pokes fun at the aging star's inability to remember lyrics or even recall which musical he's starring in at the moment. Bradshaw manages to skewer both "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and "The Pirate Queen" in one fell swoop. Fagan, Bradshaw and Leisa Mather masterfully mock "Light in the Piazza," which had its pre-Broadway preview here in Chicago. Just before intermission comes a sidesplitting homage to the current revival of "Les Miserables," complete with its famous turntable set.
The show's second half speeds by with biting jabs at "The Lion King," "Phantom of the Opera," "Fiddler on the Roof" and the soon-to-arrive "Jersey Boys." An inventive double potshot at non-musicals "Doubt" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" will leave you howling. There's even a nod to Eric Idle's nearly-impossible-to-spoof clever lyrics for "Spamalot."
Hurry to see this show; it's only in Chicago for a limited run. Skillful direction, inspired material, a gifted ensemble and seamless musical accompaniment will leave you wanting more.
"Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit" runs through July 1 at the Royal George Theatre Center. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2, 5 & 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $39-$49.50.
