It’s fun and hilarious; this is how I describe the Forbidden Broadway that was brought here in the Philippines by Upstart Productions Inc., headed by Joel Trinidad. It currently on stage at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati City until May 27, 2012 and it stars Liesl Batucan, Casia Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano with with Dingdong Fiel on the piano.
Forbidden Broadway serves as a shopping hub of different plays and mostly multi-awarded but presented in a satiral way which lyrics were changed and actors played it ridiculously to make it more entertaining to watch. But of course, the production company that gives the rights to Upstart Productions Inc to stage it here in the Philippines acquires approval from all that personalities and production houses that owns the plays that the show spoofed. You can actually see Cats, Wicked, Les Miserables, The West Side Story, Hairspray, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Mamma Mia and many more Tony Awarded musicals being spoofed by the actors and the funny part is that in the Upstart Production Inc., the actors actually did most of the plays that was also staged here in the country like Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano who did Rent last year.
What really amazes me in this comedy musical that was conceptualized by Gerard Alessandrini in 1982 and still having various versions because of new titles presented in Broadway is that it challenges actors that are part of the production to replace the lyrics of the musical that they are very familiar and presented it the same way except the line is different. Also it is very challenging to have multiple roles and numerous costume changes but still maintain the energy throughout the play. That’s why Liesl Bacutan, Casia Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano did a wonderful job in making Forbidden Broadway unforgettable to all theater goers especially for newbies to make them more curious on how magical theater can be.
Aside from the great cast and production, theater goers should also watch for special celebrity guests joining them on stage including Jett Pangan, Gabe Mercado, Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Cherie Gil, Markki Stroem, Nikki Valdez, Iya Villania and Lea Salonga. Celebrity guests will be on selected performances randomly and unannounced which it will really surprise theater goers who will be watching Forbidden Broadway on a particular day.
So catch Upstart Productions Inc’s Forbidden Broadway on May 11 to May 27, 2012, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. All performances are at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. For tickets, inquiries, and other information, call Upstart Productions at 09175285678 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.
