Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation @ The York Theater - New York City Article

“Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation”
Written, created, and directed by Gerard Alessandrini
The York Theatre Company
619 Lexington Ave, at E. 54th Street
Through February 16
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Throughout the latest edition of this long-running satirical revue, two aphorisms from that avatar of modern popular culture, The Simpsons, kept resounding in my head: “It’s funny because it’s true” and “I kid because I love.” Gerard Alessandrini has been mounting these smart and sassy productions for 35 years now - at least 11 distinct editions, and I’m not even sure if that tally includes Spamilton (which played at the Triad in 2016-2017). All of these do more than lovingly spoof the current Broadway season, they also which tackle the big ideas. The original Forbidden Broadway (recorded in 1991) talked about how shows were too dependent on “Bankable Stars,” and the current edition complains that contemporary musical theater is too derivative, ie, that every show has to be based on a famous movie or an iconic rock or soul band. (“A jukebox is a star’s best friend.”) Still, most of the time you’re too busy laughing your fool head off to worry about being preached to. When discussing comedy, much like suspense, we have to be wary of giving away too many surprises, but hopefully I can mention a few of the more memorable gags without an overabundance of spoiler alerts - notably Mr. Alessadrini’s gift for what millennials now call “the mash-up,” the overlaying of one idea on top of another, most notably here in a comically incongruous superimposition of songs from Finian’s Rainbow in the middle of The Ferryman. (“How are things in Irish drama?”)
This particular edition has that great rarity for the series, a genuinely touching moment, when Jenny Lee Stern appears as the titular character in Mary Poppins Returns, singing of “The Land Where the Lost Shows Go.” Abetted by slides, “Mary Poppins” guides us through a hardcore Broadway buff’s wet dream of long gone and forgotten musical comedies, lost in limbo, never to be revived. Ms. Stern is only one of five remarkable performers, along with Chris Collins-Pisano, Immanuel Houston, Aline Mayagoitia, and Joshua Turchin (along with musical director Fred Barton) who qualify as quadruple threats, not only acting, singing, and dancing, but doing stand-up comedy and impressions as well. As always, Forbidden Broadway is fantastic kitschy and bitchy fun. Here’s hoping the next edition includes the next big superhero musical, Can’t Help Lovin’ Batman.