'Forbidden Broadway' Isn't Just For Broadway Connoisseurs

DENVER (CBS4) - If you are going to see a show of parodies, do you have to know exactly what they are making fun of? Not if you're going to see "Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking," which is currently at the Garner Galleria Theatre.

Critic at Large Greg Moody said the cast makes sure everyone gets the joke.

When there's a show based on Broadway hits, the audience needs to know those Broadway hits in order to appreciate the show. But Moody said that's not the case for "Forbidden Broadway" -- a musical comedy sketch send-up of Broadway's biggest shows.

"I would say there's enough material in from some of the standard repertoire that pretty much everybody is aware of; 'The Sound of Music' shows up … it's pretty much Americana at this point," actor Chad T. Reagan said.

Moody said the show is a delightful, fast-moving journey through recent Broadway history that includes the biggest hits of all and some well-known misses. He said the cast plays the material so big and so broad that the audience simply can't help but have a great time no matter how in touch it is with the subject in hand.

"These are hits; maybe not everybody likes each thing, but you're dealing with time-tested material, so you have that going for you," actor Jordan Leigh said. "I guess the challenge would be then just get through each performance because it's physically fairly demanding."

Moody said the show put a smile on his face from the start to the final curtain.

"Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking" runs through March 1 at the Garner Galleria Theatre. For tickets and information call (303) 893-4100, or go to denvercenter.org.