Kevin B. McGlynn and Eric Gutman spoof the Broadway musical Miss Saigon in one of the acts from the Forbidden Broadway musical.

Credit: Andrew popik

No play — or player — is safe when it comes to Forbidden Broadway.

Performing before a packed audience in the Timken Great Hall at the Kent State Stark campus last night, the four-person troupe performed 16 numbers in a little more than an hour, ranging in style from vaudevillian to burlesque, leaving no show unscathed.

The inspiration of Gerard Alessandrini, Forbidden Broadway has become a New York theater staple and is now New York’s longest running musical comedy revue.

“The real show is backstage,” remarked Kevin B. McGlynn, one of the show’s performers. “Half the time we’re running around naked between scenes. Everything goes so fast.”

Indeed, the rapid changes in scene and costume required cast members McGlynn, Eric Gutman, Janet Caine and Danica Connors and the musical director, Catherine Stornetta, to be constantly on their toes. While there were a few minor sound problems, the players performed through the distraction and delighted the audience throughout.

The show poked fun at numerous Broadway hits, such as “Les Miserables,” “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera” and Disney’s “The Lion King.” Parodied in both lyrical reworking and “elaborate” costumes made from household appliances and cheap toys, the plays took on new meaning as they were ridiculed by the troupe.

“It’s the only thing my mother said I was good at,” Gutman said.

The show is reworked frequently to keep up with current Broadway productions and has a constantly changing cast of more than 15 people, who take turns touring with the show.

“My best friend was doing it in Boston, and I replaced him when he left,” McGlynn said. “I’ve been doing it for about eight years now — what makes it fun is the people you work with.”

And, according to the audience’s reaction, it was a fun time indeed.

Contact general assignment reporter Shelley Blundell at [email protected].