Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Edition cover

Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Edition

Gerard Alessandrini · 2000

73 min · 25 tracks

A satirical celebration of Broadway's highs and lows, blending sharp wit with memorable melodies in a theatrical showcase.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Circle Of Life/can You Feel The Pain Tonight? — This track cleverly juxtaposes iconic songs from Disney's 'The Lion King,' highlighting the absurdity of commercialized nostalgia while showcasing Alessandrini's signature wit.
  • →
    I’m Martin Guerre — In this piece, Alessandrini parodies the musical 'Martin Guerre,' effectively critiquing its narrative structure while delivering an engaging performance that illustrates his knack for blending humor with theatricality.
  • →
    And I Am Telling You I’m Not Screaming — This track is a humorous take on the powerful ballad from 'Dreamgirls,' featuring a playful twist that showcases Alessandrini's ability to subvert expectations and comment on diva culture in musical theater.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases clever parodies with strong arrangements, maintaining a distinct theatrical flair throughout.

What we noticed

  • The album features a series of medleys that blend multiple songs into cohesive parodies, often shifting styles and tempos within a single track.
  • Each track typically begins with a recognizable melody from a Broadway hit before transitioning into humorous lyrics that critique the original material.
  • The arrangement includes theatrical elements such as spoken word interludes and character impersonations, enhancing the comedic effect.
  • Several tracks utilize call-and-response techniques between soloists and ensemble vocals, creating a dynamic interplay that keeps the listener engaged.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Forbidden Broadway 2:05
  • 2 Trouble In New York City 3:10
  • 3 Import‐gavotte 2:13
  • 4 Tomorrow 0:59
  • 5 My Souvenir Things 2:04
  • 6 Stritch 2:01
  • 7 Circle Of Life/can You Feel The Pain Tonight? 4:00
  • 8 Patti Lupone/i Get A Kick Out Of Me 3:47
  • 9 I’m Martin Guerre 2:37
  • 10 I Couldn’t Hit The Note 1:35
  • 11 Into The Woods 2:53
  • 12 America 3:39
  • 13 Somewhat Overindulgent 2:39
  • 14 Les Misera‐blah/end Of The Play/i Dreamed A Show/bring It Down 7:07
  • 15 Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery 4:39
  • 16 Old Revivals! 2:27
  • 17 It’s De‐merman/old Fashioned Ballad 3:08
  • 18 Gagtime/a Really Long Note 1:35
  • 19 Time I Said, “goodbye” 1:51
  • 20 I Sleep With Everyone 1:58
  • 21 And I Am Telling You I’m Not Screaming 2:49
  • 22 Liza One‐note 4:20
  • 23 On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) 2:29
  • 24 I Enjoyed Being A Cat 2:30
  • 25 Ambition 4:50

What to play next

Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 3
Go back to

Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 3

1994
Full Gerard Alessandrini discography Artists like Gerard Alessandrini

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