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Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain (Applause Books)

Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain (Applause Books)Author: Gerard Alessandrini with Michael Portantiere
Publisher: Applause
Category: Book

List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $14.61
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Seller: magers_and_quinn
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 5 reviews
Sales Rank: 122563

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.5
Dimensions (in): 11 x 8.5 x 1

ISBN: 1557837430
Dewey Decimal Number: 792.642
EAN: 9781557837431
ASIN: 1557837430

Publication Date: October 1, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Features:
  • ISBN13: 9781557837431
  • Condition: New
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  • Kindle Edition - Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain
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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
The hilarious story of the longest-running musical revue in the world - 30 years! "The funniest show in New York!" - The New Yorker Forbidden Broadway is a no-holds-barred chronicle of the revue that has enthralled and delighted audiences in New York City, Los Angeles, London, and all around the world for three decades, spoofing shows from Les Miserables to Wicked and stars from Ethel Merman to Hugh Jackman. It is a whimsical inside glimpse at the evolution of the show in its 20 incarnations to date, with zany parodies, hilarious lyrics, and behind-the-scenes stories - told by the creator/producer, Gerard Alessandrini. Filled with dozens of outrageous pictures from the production, this is one of the most fun-filled books ever created about theatre, a one-of-a-kind "mockument" that every showbiz aficionado will treasure. Includes 100s of photos including two 16-page color sections, as well as famous Forbidden Broadway parody lyrics to over 100 songs from the show.

Customer Reviews:
5 out of 5 stars Forbidden Broadway Fans, Rejoice   January 9, 2010
R. Rodgers (New York, NY)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Forbidden Broadway is off the New York boards for the first time in years, and already I miss its saucy presence. But, Gerard Allesandrini was correct that satirizing Broadway has become too easy and predictable (Disney shows, juke box revues, Patti's and Bernadette's latest outings, and so on), and that a hiatus was needed. In the meantime, we FB fans can make do with this very enjoyable collection of many of the show's best lyrics. It is also filled with personal recollections by the show's stars over the years. It's coffee table-sized, which makes it a little unwieldy for such a light subject (sorry guys, but this ain't the collected lyrics of Lorenz Hart or Johnny Mercer!), but that's a minor quibble. Flipping through the book, I recalled many a great night of theater, and chuckled out loud at the memories of impersonating Patti, Ethel, Mary, Mandy, Bernadette, Barbra, and more. Thanks, Gerard and Michael, for putting it all down on paper.


5 out of 5 stars Entertaining and witty   January 25, 2010
Icequeen77 (Wyoming, USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

As the show itself (in its many incarnations) the book is very funny. It is sprinkled with entertaining stories by performers and others involved in the production. Aspiring lyricists could benefit from studying Gerard Alessandrini's witty lyrics. Highly recommended for any Broadway musical lover.


5 out of 5 stars Gone but not Forgotten!   March 11, 2010
Melinda Lissauer (New York, NY USA)
I loved "Forbidden Broadway" and we have lost something special now that it has closed forever. This book is a fitting eulogy for an institution which will be long remembered, never forgotten.


5 out of 5 stars Forbidden Treasure   August 23, 2010
David Massinelli (Atlanta, GA)
I loved this book, and I know that I will for years.
It's funny, and warm, and made me laugh and smile all over again.
If you have seen at least one Forbidden Broadway iteration, you are certain to love this book.


2 out of 5 stars Riddled with typos   April 13, 2010
E. Chris Caggiano (Boston, MA USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I've been a fan of Forbidden Broadway since the series began in the early '80s, so I was eagerly anticipating this book. In terms of info, humor, and perspective it doesn't disappoint, although some of the historical context is suspect.

The major problem with this book is all the typographical errors, which are legion. I became so distracted by all the mistakes and misspellings that I started to count them all. I gave up at about 60. Most of these errors occur in the actual lyrics to the various editions of the show, which means they're most probably the work of Alessandrini himself, as opposed to his collaborator Michael Portantiere.

I remain an ardent fan of Mr. Alessandrini's trenchant wit, but I do hope that in future editions of this book (if any) that someone takes the time to clean things up a bit.