Forbidden Broadway returns (Just accept it)

August 24, 2012, 8:00 PM

August 25, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

RCBC Plaza, Makati

Who knew that spoofing Broadway musicals and personalities would become a hit in a country that is actually half a world away from Broadway itself? Well, that was what exactly happened when Upstart Productions presented Forbidden Broadway in Manila last May. Now, the wacky crew of Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez along with pianist Dingdong Fiel return to the hilarity that is Forbidden Broadway for a very limited, three performance run happening on August 24-25, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza.

For those who still don’t know what this show is all about, Forbidden Broadway, written by Gerard Alessandrini, is New York’s longest running musical comedy revue. This show debuted back in 1982 and has spawned numerous versions including the newer productions that have lit up the lights on Broadway. The version that Upstart Productions presents in here is Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits which is what the title exactly suggests. Expect a whirlwind of around 30 musical numbers from 20 shows complete with numerous costume changes and hilarious character impressions.

OJ Mariano, Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Liesl Batucan, Lorenz Martinez
and Onyl Torres

Another highlight of the previous run were the guest stars who appeared one per show that had people guessing. For this run, guest stars include Michael de Mesa and Nikki Gil. The third guest star still remains a mystery. But no longer a mystery are the production team led by director Joel Trinidad now joined by assistant director Cathy Azanza-Dy, light designer Martin Esteva, sound designer Sheryl Polancos, production designer Lawyn Cruz and musical director/vocal coach Onyl Torres. The production staff is composed of production manager Mariko Yasuda and stage manager Lani Tapia  The marketing, sales and publicity team of is led by PR and publicist Toots Tolentino with marketing manager Daphne Kimberly Uy and photographer Stanley Ong.

Forbidden Broadway is sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, Kashmir Restaurant, Stanley Ong Photography, Orange Segment, and our media sponsors BusinessWorld, HerWord.com, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, taxi.com.ph and Philippine Paradise Pages. Ticket buyers may avail of a 30% discount upon presentation of their ticket at the Outback Steakhouse Glorietta 4 branch from August 24 to September 8, 2012.

Ticket prices:

P1100 Orchestra Center

P1000 Loge Center

P900 Orchestra Side

P800 Loge Side

P700 Loge Rear

P600 Balcony

For inquiries:

Upstart Productions (0920) 941-6695, upstarttickets@gmail.com

Forbidden Broadway

Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez, OJ Mariano, Liesl Batucan and Joel Trinidad

Upstart Productions’ staging of Forbidden Broadway recently ended its run over at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium located at the RCBC Plaza. This musical that spoofed Broadway’s greatest hits had its cast of Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez zoom through numerous song numbers accompanied by equally numerous costume changes. What basically is a musical revue originally envisioned for just a dinner theater was transformed into a hilarious trip through Broadway culture and a dose of social satire by the show’s director Joel Trinidad.

Right from the start when Forbidden Broadway had its press launch, I got dismayed when I learned that I wouldn’t be able to attend the press preview. Luckily, the show had a three weekend run which meant that there would be other chances for me to see it. And thanks to music director Onyl Torres, he was able to give me a heads up enabling me to catch what was probably the most sought after performances during its entire run. It turned out that the guest performer on this night was no other than Ms. Lea Salonga herself. The guest stars who were supposed to perform just one number per show served as one of the most awaited moments in the entire musical since it was supposed to be a surprise: the audience was supposed to have no idea who was performing what on a certain night. But some of the guests spilled the news themselves when they invited people to go on the date when they would perform so the element of surprise didn’t happen at all.

Forbidden Broadway is one musical that had no plot at all. All that is required from the audience is to pay attention and listen closely to the songs in order to get the wit and the humor of the lyrics written by Gerard Alessandrini. Some of the songs, especially God, It’s High which is a spoof of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables really had me laughing since I got the essence of the song with OJ Mariano practically begging to make the song lower by changing its key. For someone who doesn’t know basic music theory or the concept of key signatures, this song would be a hard sell. Speaking of music theory, I noticed that the Andrew Lloyd Webber songs that were included in the show had their melodies changed drastically. It was only in the rhythm, the phrasing and the overall structure of the songs (and also the character’s costume) that made them recognizable. I told Joel after the show that I think that Webber allowed Gerard Alessandrini to use his songs with the condition that he had to change the music and not present them in their original form. While the songs about the songs themselves were hits for me, the portions poking fun on Broadway personalities were a miss. And the main reason was I didn’t get the cultural reference at all. Yes, Liesl was brilliant with her Liza and Barbra but I failed to get the joke. I guess that I didn’t know the two personalities enough in order to appreciate those particular numbers.

Lea Salonga being mobbed by fans

Lea Salonga, on the other hand, probably didn’t need to deliver jokes since her presence alone made up for the price of admission. Lea is no stand up comedian and she’s more associated for portraying tragic and flawed characters on stage. So seeing her defiantly wicked (pardon the pun) in singing a spoof of Defying Gravity was a huge treat in itself. She sang the original version during The Legends and the Classics concert but she was generally reserved there unlike here in Forbidden Broadway where she let it all out and became as un-Lea Salonga as she could be. I don’t know if she meant it to be, but for me she actually spoofed herself which made everything priceless.

Joel Trinidad and RAd

Probably the biggest surprise of the show for me was pianist Dingdong Fiel who did something extra which I didn’t expect at all. I’ve known him for some time now and he always seemed so serious and devoted to his craft. Too bad that I can’t divulge what he did and those who were able to catch the show would know what I was talking about. Thanks once again to Onyl Torres and Mr. Toots Tolentino for giving me the opportunity to watch Forbidden Broadway. It was fun and refreshing to see Liesl, Caisa, OJ in a different light and it was also nice to get acquainted with Lorenz as well. I look forward to future projects by Upstart Productions.

Forbidden Broadway spoofs its way to Manila

May 11, 2012, 8:00 PM

May 12, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

May 13, 2012, 3:00 PM

May 18, 2012, 8:00 PM

May 19, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

May 20, 2012, 3:00 PM

May 25, 2012, 8:00 PM

May 26, 2012, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

May 27, 2012, 3:00 PM

Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

RCBC Plaza, Makati

There has been a surge of musical theater productions here in Manila in recent years with both local and foreign touring companies staging popular Broadway. So it comes as no surprise that a show that spoofs and pokes fun at these musicals will eventually find its way in local shores as Upstart Productions presents Forbidden Broadway. This show will be staged from May 11-27, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati. Four of local theater’s most promising talents, Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez will juggle multiple roles as they sing about 30 songs from around 20 shows in this musical revue under the direction of Joel Trinidad. And I got to see and hear three of the songs performed by the cast during the press launch of Forbidden Broadway at the Chihuahua Mexican Grill.

Joel Trinidad

Originally conceived, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini, Forbidden Broadway has gone through many versions since its debut back in 1982. The one that will be staged here in Manila is Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits and it will poke fun of the most popular musicals of all time like The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Cats, Hairspray, and Rent to name a few. Unfortunately, one musical that has stamped itself deeply into the hearts of Filipinos, Miss Saigon, is not included in this version. For a musical theater newbie, appreciating the show might be a daunting task but Joel assured that it’s not really necessary to have an extensive knowledge of musicals in order to enjoy the show. But someone who knows his theater rather well will enjoy the show in a whole different level. And since Manila has seen its fair share of musicals over the past decade or so, it feels like it’s the right time for a show like this.

OJ Mariano, Caisa Borromeo, Liesl Batucan, Lorenz Martinez

One of the special treats that makes this staging unique is the inclusion of guest stars like Lea Salonga, Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Cherie Gil, Jett Pangan, Gabe Mercado and more. There would be one guest performing just one number in every show date but who’s appearing when is a question that can only be answered by watching the show itself. It’s this element of surprise that adds another level of excitement to the show.

The members of the cast with the exception of Lorenz Martinez are already familiar to me since I’ve seen them in previous productions. I’ve last seen Liesl in Next Fall. I’ve seen Caisa and OJ (and Joel as well) in Rivalry. I also saw OJ in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. One more thing that made me really interested in Forbidden Broadway is the inclusion of my friend, pianist Dingdong Fiel who will be playing right onstage as opposed to being in the pit which is the norm for most musicals. Another familiar face, Onyl Torres handles the musical direction just like in the recently concluded run of Jekyll and Hyde.

Forbidden Broadway is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), 1359 Broadway, Suite 914, New York, NY, 10018. (866) 378-9758.

Ticket prices:

P1100 Orchestra Center

P1000 Loge Center

P900 Orchestra Side

P800 Loge Side

P700 Loge Rear

P600 Balcony

For inquiries:

Upstart Productions (0917) 528-5678, upstarttickets@gmail.com