Sunday, January 18, 2009

Forbidden Broadway


If you missed this week-end's performance of Forbidden Broadway you missed a very entertaining event. The play is a spoof on several Broadway shows and some of the tunes. At times it was extremely funny. You had to listen closely to catch the spoofing to some very recognizable tunes. The play was written by Gerard Alessandrini and is very good for laughing our way through some of these cold, snowy winter days.


This was my first time for community theater and I was very happy I went out to take it in on one of the coldest days of the year. You can very easily see the love and devotion that this group of players put into their efforts to entertain. I'm still chuckling at some of the things I saw and heard from their production. Wait till you see what they do with Carol Channing.


The dinner alone was worth the price of admission. They served "Nick's famous roast beef", with creamy scalloped potatoes, veggies and a California blend salad. Cookies were served as desert at the intermission. It was served buffet style and it was tempting not to make several trips back to the beef. Nick wouldn't give me the recipe but it's a good one.


If you missed it there is still hope for you. They will be doing it again next week-end with dinner and the show at Dalonzos Friday & Saturday and a matinee on Sunday at the theater/church. Dinner starts at 7 Friday & Saturday and the Sunday matinee is at 1. You can call 330-532-5540 for reservations.


Pictured above are the players. From the left is Carolyn Rodesh, Rich Coburn, Lance Angle, Beth Mays, Jessica Winkleman, Danny Hull and Cheryl Pierce. All of them have ties to the local region and do this for the fun of it.


Thanks to all the cast & crew for a very good time. I'm glad you came to town and really think your efforts are a big plus for the ville. I would highly recommend that anyone get there to see this play.


After the PPCT brings the curtain down next Sunday on this production they will begin working on February's performance of the Female Version of the Odd Couple. I'm already looking forward to it.


Break a leg...


ole nib

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think ole nib was right on the money with what he said. This show is one of those "feel good" shows that, whatever mood you're in, you'll start laughing when you see this!! I recommend, as ole nib did, to brave the cold, and come for a hot meal and an awesome show next week (the price is a BARGAIN!!)...IT'S WORTH IT!!! AWESOME JOB PPCT, keep up the good work, and good luck- I mean "Break a Leg" here in Wellsville!!

Anonymous said...

We are so glad that you enjoyed yourselves!! Much time and dedication is put into PPCT shows from beginning to the end. We welcome anyone young or old who would like to join us!! Thanks for your support!!!

Anonymous said...

I have not seen Forbidden Broadway, YET, but I have seen other PPCT productions, and I think they do a very good job..if I ever get a prolonged break in ym schedule, one of these years, I will definately try to come to try out for a play!!

Anonymous said...

Potter Players’ “Forbidden Broadway” Is Fun for All

By Charles Calabrese

The Potter Players Community Theatre presentation of Gerard Alessandrini’s musical revue, “Forbidden Broadway,” is one of the group’s best productions in recent memory. Director-choreographer-performer Rich Coburn and his merry band of singing sketch comedians to real justice to Alessandrini’s brilliant song parodies and mocking of Broadway trends. The pace is fast and funny and, best of all, you don’t have to be a musical theatre expert to enjoy it.

Beth Mays is gifted with a strong voice and near-perfect comedic timing, both of which are put to good use in a series of devastating sendups of “Chicago,” “Mary Poppins,” “Les Miserables,” “Mama Mia,” “Hairspray” and “A Chorus Line.” Mays also contributes a wonderful “tribute” to Liza Minelli.

Coburn himself contributes memorable portrait of Broadway immortals Carol Channing and Mandy Patimkin and producer-director Cameron McIntosh, as well as joining in the mocking of “Les Miserables,” “Rent,”and “Spamalot.”

While Lance Angle’s singing is not in Coburn’s league, his gift for physical and verbal comedy is flawless, as is evident from his work in the parodies of “Chicago, “Les Miserables,’ ‘The Lion King,” “Spamalot” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

While I’ve always admired Cheryl Pierce’s acting, my exposure to her singing has been limited it the past. In “Forbidden Broadway,” she is one of the production’s mainstays, dueling musically with Beth Mays in a hilarious send-up of the legendary rivalry between Rita Moreno and Chita Rivera (Pierce is Rita). Pierce also shines as an aging “Annie,” a nightclub performer singing about “Les Miserables,” and the Queen in “Spamalot.”

My only complaint about Carolyn Rodesh’s performance is that she doesn’t get to do more in this show. With her strong, clear voice and solid comedic timing, Rodesh does a great job with the Wicked Witch of West from “Wicked,” as one of the three Dancing Queens from “Mama Mia,” (along with Cheryl Pierce) and in a perfect vocal parody of Barbra Streisand, as well as excellent ensemble singer throughout the show.

It’s hard to say anything about the singing abilities of Danny Hull, as he “played hurt” at the performance I saw, trying to shake off the effects of a sore throat and cold. But his comedic acting as a chorus boy for Carol Channing, as a flying monkey from “Wicked,” and as an ensemble member is flawless.

While Jessica Winkleman also has some challenges as a singer, her excellent comedic timing, excellent diction and charismatic personality more than make up for the vocals in a show that is much more about words and ideas than the music itself. Winkleman also does yeoman work as a member of the ensemble.

The Potter Players production of “Forbidden Broadway” has survived several re-schedulings and a number of illnesses, including that of the director, several cast members and the accompanist. Thanks to the computer and sound engineering skills of Rich Coburn, the cast was accompanied at the performance I saw by an innovative pre-recorded music track, controlled with equipment concealed inside the shell of a grand piano, built from scratch by set designer Dave Pierce.

“Forbidden Broadway” will be presented again this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at DaLonzo’s at 525 Main Street , next to the Masonic Temple in Wellsville, and on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the new home of the Potter Players, the former Wellsville Church of the Nazarene at 417 Fifteenth Street . Call ahead for reservations (a must for the dinner-theatre at DaLonzo’s) at (330) 532-5540.

I recommend this show for all but the youngest family members. I urge you to support the hard work and determination of the Potter Players to bring this first-ever local production of “Forbidden Broadway” to vibrant and funny life for your enjoyment.

[Guest reviewer Charles Calabrese, a resident of Wintersville, Ohio, has been writing performing arts reviews for print and broadcast for more than 30 years.]

Anonymous said...

I also have seen other shows by the PPCT, but not Forbidden Broadway. Still debating on whether to come or not. Do you have to make reservations?

Anonymous said...

A guy plays Carol Channing??!!..HAHAHA, that's great..I hate Carol Channing with a defined passion, but to see her parodied by a guy!! Thats "rich"!! I'm definitely coming to see this show sometime this next weekend...oh, gosh that's got to be something to see!!!

Anonymous said...

Reservations are recommended, but not nessessary. It helps Nick know how much food is needed.

Anonymous said...

NOTE CORRECTION BELOW:
Beth Mays played Barbra Streisand and was not in Hairspray.
Carolyn Rodesh was in Hairspray. Dinner is at 7pm Friday and Saturday, not 8pm.

The Potter Players Community Theatre presentation of Gerard Alessandrini’s musical revue, “Forbidden Broadway,” is one of the group’s best productions in recent memory. Director-choreographer-performer Rich Coburn and his merry band of singing sketch comedians to real justice to Alessandrini’s brilliant song parodies and mocking of Broadway trends. The pace is fast and funny and, best of all, you don’t have to be a musical theatre expert to enjoy it.

Beth Mays is gifted with a strong voice and near-perfect comedic timing, both of which are put to good use in a series of devastating sendups of “Chicago,” “Mary Poppins,” “Les Miserables,” “Mama Mia,” and “A Chorus Line.” Mays also contributes a wonderful “tribute” to Liza Minelli and a perfect vocal parody of Barbra Streisand.

Coburn himself contributes memorable portrait of Broadway immortals Carol Channing and Mandy Patimkin and producer-director Cameron McIntosh, as well as joining in the mocking of “Les Miserables,” “Rent,”and “Spamalot.”

While Lance Angle’s singing is not in Coburn’s league, his gift for physical and verbal comedy is flawless, as is evident from his work in the parodies of “Chicago, “Les Miserables,’ ‘The Lion King,” “Spamalot” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

While I’ve always admired Cheryl Pierce’s acting, my exposure to her singing has been limited it the past. In “Forbidden Broadway,” she is one of the production’s mainstays, dueling musically with Beth Mays in a hilarious send-up of the legendary rivalry between Rita Moreno and Chita Rivera (Pierce is Rita). Pierce also shines as an aging “Annie,” a nightclub performer singing about “Les Miserables,” and the Queen in “Spamalot.”

My only complaint about Carolyn Rodesh’s performance is that she doesn’t get to do more in this show. With her strong, clear voice and solid comedic timing, Rodesh does a great job with the Wicked Witch of West from “Wicked,” as one of the three Dancing Queens from “Mama Mia,” (along with Cheryl Pierce), as well as excellent ensemble singer throughout the show.

It’s hard to say anything about the singing abilities of Danny Hull, as he “played hurt” at the performance I saw, trying to shake off the effects of a sore throat and cold. But his comedic acting as a chorus boy for Carol Channing, as a flying monkey from “Wicked,” and as an ensemble member is flawless.

While Jessica Winkleman also has some challenges as a singer, her excellent comedic timing, excellent diction and charismatic personality more than make up for the vocals in a show that is much more about words and ideas than the music itself. Winkleman also does yeoman work as a member of the ensemble.

The Potter Players production of “Forbidden Broadway” has survived several re-schedulings and a number of illnesses, including that of the director, several cast members and the accompanist. Thanks to the computer and sound engineering skills of Rich Coburn, the cast was accompanied at the performance I saw by an innovative pre-recorded music track, controlled with equipment concealed inside the shell of a grand piano, built from scratch by set designer Dave Pierce.

“Forbidden Broadway” will be presented again this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at DaLonzo’s at 525 Main Street , next to the Masonic Temple in Wellsville, and on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the new home of the Potter Players, the former Wellsville Church of the Nazarene at 417 Fifteenth Street . Call ahead for reservations (a must for the dinner-theatre at DaLonzo’s) at (330) 532-5540.

I recommend this show for all but the youngest family members. I urge you to support the hard work and determination of the Potter Players to bring this first-ever local production of “Forbidden Broadway” to vibrant and funny life for your enjoyment.

[Guest reviewer Charles Calabrese, a resident of Wintersville, Ohio, has been writing performing arts reviews for print and broadcast for more than 30 years.]

Anonymous said...

If anyone visits this thread anymore...What are the dates/ticket prices/times for The "Odd Couple"?? Thanks in advance!!!

************* said...

It's later in the month. Not sure of the dates right now. They have a web site but it hasn't been updated yet. Will try to find out.

Their site can be found at http://www.potterplayers.org/

nib

Anonymous said...

Thanks nib...I know the Odd Couple isn't a musical...I do prefer musicals...any notices of PPCT musicals coming up? I have a few friends that are wanting to see a PPCT musical.

Anonymous said...

Odd Couple (Female version) will be Fri and Sat's 2/27, 2/28, 3/6, 3/7 at 8 PM and Sun 3/8 at 2 PM at the theatre at 417 15th Street. Prices are $8 adult, $7 student/senior. We have just started rehearsals and will be getting some advertising out soon. This is a very funny show, but does contain some adult language/themes so not for young kids. Call 532-5540 for more info/reservations.

Here's a tidbit: We do try to make sure the audience will know beforehand if a show has some swearing or adult themes so they can make their own decision regarding whether or not to bring their kids. Let's face it, tho; kids these days have heard and seen it all! This show would probably be rated as a PG-13 at the movies.

Thanks for your interest!!!!---Mary

************* said...

Thanks Mary. You saved me some work. What is considered "Senior"?

There you go folks.

nib

Anonymous said...

I was wondering the same as someone else did a few posts up from mine...I will try to see The Odd Couple, also- any musicals in the near future??? A friend of mine saw Forbidden Broadway and loved it....Good Start in the Ville, PPCT. Hopefully, you will be here for a long time!!

Anonymous said...

Ha...I guess we've always let the "seniors" decide if they are or aren't senior!

We will be doing more musicals down the road, but they do cost us a lot more in royalties and we need more people who are able to direct, sing, dance and play for us. Give us a holler if anyone is interested! After "Odd Couple" likely will be a youth-oriented show "Mr. Toad's Mad Adventures" (looking for a mixed adult and youth cast for that) and then another adult comedy. That takes us to the end of our 2008-2009 season, and we'll be choosing our 09-10 season. If folks have a suggestion, either post here or call 532-5540 and leave us a message. Thanks!!!!--Mary M

Anonymous said...

PPCT has a new blog sight. You can get to it by way of www.thevilletheatre.blogspot.com/ or going to our website at www.potterplayers.org and clicking on the link. We would love to hear from everyone. I will answer any questions you may have and post your theatre pictures old and new! Come join the fun!