‘Forbidden’ fruit

Young Chang

“Forbidden Broadway” went dark last week in New York. Actress Gina

Kreiezmar remembers walking home from dinner, passing by firehouses and

seeing pictures of the men who were killed that unforgettable Tuesday.

New York wasn’t laughing, so Broadway didn’t either.

This week, Kreiezmar and the “Forbidden Broadway” cast have brought a

bit of the parodied stage to Costa Mesa, the funnies included.

“I think that people need to be able to laugh a little bit too,” the

New York resident said. “It’s a weird time to be performing, obviously,

but it’s something that has to be done.”

Like chameleons, a four-person cast will slip in and out of famous

skins -- including those of Liza Minnelli and Barbara Streisand -- as

well as spoof such Broadway hits as “Miss Saigon,” “Les Miserables” and

“Phantom of the Opera” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center

through next week.

The show, created by lyricist Gerard Alessandrini, opens the Center’s

2001-02 Cabaret Series at Founders Hall. It was first seen at a New York

supper club in 1982 and cast alumni include Jason Alexander and Chloe

Webb. The parodied -- and therefore privileged -- include Whoopi Goldberg

and Carol Channing.

“They love it,” actress Susanne Blakeslee said. “Because really, by

the time you become a big star, these people know that because they’re so

outstanding, you can make fun of them.”

The show often changes -- “The Producers” is lampooned in the New York

version but eliminated in the Costa Mesa production because the show

hasn’t gone on tour yet -- and Alessandrini makes it a point to parody

every number that hits Broadway, Kreiezmar said.

One of the segments to be shown at the Center is little orphan Annie’s

rendition of “Tomorrow.” Except, Kreiezmar portrays the tomorrow of a

woman turning 30. The woman is still in her red dress and “Annie” is the

only show she’s ever done.

“It’s a quick number, but it always gets a great response,” said

Kreiezmar, who added that imitating Ethel Merman is also “a trip.”

She spoofs her idol Liza Minnelli, too -- the gum-baring smile, the

showy hands, the heavy eye makeup, the whole act -- and says the

semblance is one of the easier ones to pull off.

“When I walk around the streets of New York, people say, ‘did anyone

ever tell you you look like Liza Minnelli?”’ Kreiezmar said. “I just

think she’s a phenomenal performer.”

Blakeslee enjoys the “Les Miz” bit in the show, which spoofs a

prayerful and lamenting song titled “God On High.”

“We say, ‘God it’s high,’ meaning the song’s too high,” she said.

Kreiezmar attempts to explain why “Forbidden” has drawn almost a cult

following of fans over the decades.

“It’s hard to put into words,” she said. “We’re poking fun at stuff

but in a fun way, and we’re not evil.”

FYI

WHAT: “Forbidden Broadway”

WHEN: Today through Sunday, and Sept. 26-30. Wednesday, Thursday and

Friday performances will start at 7:30 p.m., Saturday shows begin at 7:30

and 9:30 p.m. and Sunday shows are at 2 and 7 p.m.

WHERE: Founders Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600

Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

COST: $46 or $49

CALL: (714) 740-7878