Forbidden Broadway

Starlight’s all glitz but no glamour musical production Forbidden Broadway had some success when sending-up the classic Broadway shows but fell short of pleasing its listeners’ ears.

Starlight Theatre Co-op
Centre Stage Theatre, Spring Hill, Brisbane??

Thursday, 15 October, 2009

Starlight’s all glitz but no glamour musical production Forbidden Broadway had some success when sending-up the classic Broadway shows but fell short of pleasing its listeners’ ears.

In contrast to Tom Dodd’s success with the fittingly amplified sound for Starlight’s most recent musical, Sweeny Todd, his sound design overpowered the small theatre when singers Hannah Cole and Alex Feirfers took to the stage with screeching tunes. The ear-piercing reverberation was hard to ignore, even in the back row farthest from the speakers. The singers’ powerful show-style voices weren’t entirely to blame, but could have been subdued with lower volume and less exaggeration in the shrill department.

The all-singing all-dancing spoof of show tunes almost lost me completely within the first 10 minutes when the audience was encouraged to sing-a-long. Thankfully, the offer was not repeated. 

The satirical references triggered a chuckle for those who have seen the famous musicals like Wicked, Les Miserables, Hairspray and Rent. Lou Gavin’s performance of a 30-year-old smoking has-been Annie and her rendition of ‘Dancing Queen’ backed up by Cole and Feirfers were amusing. Gavin’s performances were the most enjoyable thanks to her harmonious singing and confident presence on stage. Feirfer was also extremely assertive in her leotard-clad performances, and with a great little body like that who could blame her. Her small stature and high kicks showed her to be quite the pocket-rocket!

Male performers, Zac Bradford and Nick Hollamby, displayed a poise of smooth singing and simple dance moves but unfortunately this was flat amongst the flamboyant show.

Band members Dan Grindrod, Steven Fischer and Monique McMullen, were on stage during the performance which added a valuable live touch – but it certainly wouldn’t have hurt for them to liven up a bit. Their music was enjoyable but it didn’t look like they were enjoying playing it.

Costumes were a sensation in balancing versatility and pulling off a great look for the cast. With five actors playing 54 characters, mother-daughter team Cynthia and Hannah Cliff designed outfits with pizzazz that could be quickly transformed. Lots of colour and sparkle with wigs that rang true of the stars, particularly Liza Minelli, gave the show some real oomph.

Forbidden Broadway was a comedown from Starlight’s highly impressive production of Sweeny Todd that emulated a professional show earlier in the year.

I wouldn’t hurry along to see this one even if you are a Broadway musical lover who enjoys a good spoof.

??Bookings at www.oztix.com.au.

Until 31 October, 2009