The Triangle

Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Walnut Street Theater

Many don't know Philadelphia's theaters personally. My experience has yet to reveal all of their secrets, but since I started writing there has been one revelation.

The Walnut Street Theatre houses a large main theater, but also a small studio on the third floor. Its size is an asset as this studio has become responsible for many of the more avant-garde shows brought to Philadelphia. It is a portal into the underground of drama and comedy and it is in the case of "Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits" that the tiny theater on three gets away with a maliciously good show.

Laughter diminishes the lines established by age, culture and class. In the Walnut Street Theatre's most recent musical, "Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits," two actors and two actresses perform their uproarious twist on over 15 Broadway shows. For some this twist may prove even more entertaining than the original.

I sat between an older woman in heavy jewels and a pretentious 26-year-old. Usually I would go an entire show in this setting without exchanging an entire word; however, as the show got under way, our shared laughter brought an air of commonality. The bejeweled lady asked me whom I was writing for while the other actually chatted about her grandfather who also is a writer. They became approachable.

But who couldn't? The hilarity of "Broadway's Greatest" was disarming. Not at all corny or annoying, the show was genuinely funny (almost Saturday Night Live-esque).

The show bade its performers to switch character and even sex on a dime. In the first scene Jennie Eisenhower, Sonny Leo, Ellie Mooney and Marcus Stevens introduced the production in forte. Five minutes later Marcus mimicked the Phantom's wispy voice as Eisenhower taught him to use his diaphragm. Mooney and Leo both dressed as "West Side Story's" Maria followed their duet. Rita, the real Maria, and Chita, the considerably hairy and tenacious cousin, house an incredible feud as both are convinced and feel they must convince others who is the better catch.

Booted off stage as "Both Reached for the Gun" took over, Mooney appeared a number later in a hopelessly sexy attempt to slink across the stage as Velma in "Chicago." She failed miserably, which of course was the point.

While Eisenhower is the most decorated of the four performers, Mooney's performance split the sides of the crowd. The woman serenaded us with "On My Phone" instead of "On My Own" ("Les Misérables") while she circled the stage by moving her feet side to side. In this shuffle of sorts, she turned and turned as if on a pedestal. The effect was so absurd I had to laugh! In the next scene she again emerged shuffling, this time on her knees, singing "Castle on a Cloud." The baby voice, blank stare and frequent finger injected up the nose were unforgettable.

In addition to "West Side Story," "Chicago" and "Les Misérables," the actors spun "Annie," "Rent," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Spamalot" and "Mamma Mia" while constantly finding new points of criticism. Written by Gerard Alessandrini and directed by Bruce Lumpkin, the same director for "O Captain, My Captain: Whitman's Lincoln," Lumpkin certainly demonstrates dexterity when producing completely different shows. His previous was historical with a less accessible type of humor and wit. "Forbidden Broadway" is based on knowledge of pop culture and the common appreciation for a good laugh.

"Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits" runs until June 28 and tickets are $30. They are available by calling either 215-574-3550 or 215-982-2787. Tickets are also available at walnutstreettheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

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