Forbidden Broadway, Vol. 1
Gerard Alessandrini · 1984
40 min · 14 tracks
A witty and satirical homage to Broadway, blending iconic tunes with sharp humor and clever parody.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Forbidden Broadway — The title track sets the tone for the entire album, blending humor with incisive commentary on Broadway's biggest hits. It encapsulates the essence of the show's spirit and establishes Alessandrini's voice as a leading figure in musical satire.
-
→
Don't Cry for Me (Don't Cry for Me, Argentina) — This parody cleverly twists the lyrics of a beloved classic into a humorous critique of celebrity culture and the drama inherent in Broadway narratives. Its recognition among audiences demonstrates Alessandrini's knack for biting wit.
-
→
Be a Catholic (Be Italian) — This track playfully engages with themes of identity and cultural stereotypes while utilizing a memorable melody to enhance its comedic effect. It showcases Alessandrini's ability to blend humor with poignant observations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album cleverly parodies Broadway tunes with sharp wit, maintaining strong cohesion and distinctiveness in its approach.
What we noticed
- The album features a series of medleys that blend well-known Broadway songs with humorous lyrics, creating a cohesive narrative throughout.
- Each track typically parodies a specific show or song, often using the original melodies while altering the lyrics to deliver comedic commentary.
- The sequencing includes several recurring themes and motifs, allowing for callbacks to earlier tracks, which enhances the overall humor and structure.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Don't Cry for Me (Don't Cry for Me, Argentina)
The song shifts from heartfelt lament to self-deprecating humor about fame and expectation.
This shift not only subverts audience expectations but also cleverly critiques the tendency of musicals to indulge in melodrama.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Forbidden Broadway 2:07
- 2 Amadeus (Non Plu Andral) 2:33
- 3 Don't Cry for Me (Don't Cry for Me, Argentina) 3:32
- 4 Annie's Favorite Showtune (Tomorrow) 1:05
- 5 Pirates of Penzance Sequence 5:54
- 6 Be a Catholic (Be Italian) 2:00
- 7 Triplets 2:14
- 8 Bankable Stars (Beautiful Girls) / I'm Entertainment (That's Entertainment) 2:41
- 9 Angela Lansbury Sequence 3:04
- 10 Audition Sequence 2:11
- 11 Merman & Martin Sequence 3:40
- 12 Carol Channing Sequence 3:35
- 13 Ambition (Tradition) 4:52
- 14 Forbidden Broadway (reprise) 0:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.