Gerard Alessandrini, Forbidden Broadway's creator, director and lyricist, is the theater critic's alter ego. When he aims his laser wit with surgical precision at Broadway's megahits he gets to say things a critic often can't.  While we reviewers have to treat these shows seriously, Gerard mercilessly, if humorously, exposes their flaws, going where critics fear to tread. He cuts to the core and with his inimitable comedic touch and strips a show of its pretensions. At my first "Forbidden Broadway", I witnessed the famous duel between The Phantom's chandelier and Miss Saigon's helicopter, and I haven't missed a version since. I always know that this is the one night when I'll enjoy myself at theater.

19 years ago, what is now a cherished tradition began, appropriately, with his spoof of "Fiddler On The Roof" with his version of "Tradition" which he re-titled "Ambition" and exposed the chiropractic needs of Julie Taymor's "Lion King" cast. Old theater icons are similar targets: the indestructively weird Ann Miller, Manic Mandy, Aging Annie, La Merman trying to get the Phantom off mike.  When asked what he does when he really loves a show Gerard replied "Its hard, sometimes, because I'm supposed to be mean all the time, but it really isn't about my opinion. Its more about the buzz on a show., what people may be complaining about". However producers do not usually encourage the creator of Forbidden Broadway with free tickets. "I have to buy my own tickets and it becomes rather expensive". One wonders at the response of targeted performers and producers. "Hal Prince was the only one who publicly expressed anger at the spoof of his rather disastrous 'Merrily We Roll Along'", but, when he actually saw the show, he appreciated the humor of its intent quickly became a fan.

The show parodies musical and non musical productions on Broadway. Gerard finds the satirical hook in everything. Whether it's a star or plot, it's all out of fun and love. It takes an amazing mind to come up with something every time a new show comes out!  It changes as often as Broadway changes, and you never know when a show closes. New items are always added, so its one of those shows you can come back to over and over".    Cats, Les Miz, Phantom ,Rent are favorites because people know the shows, audience members come up to you and says how much they enjoyed it, it inspires you to keep it fresh and stimulating but if you haven't seen it you know immediately more about it;. If you've seen the show you feel like a theater insider.

Costume designer Alvin Colt does a marvelous job with innovative bits and pieces. In The Lion King one of the giraffes comes out with a couple of canes, the elephant's nose is industrial tubing attached to a gas mask, etc.

Obviously the audience has to be interested in Broadway to see the show in the first place so they are pretty savvy. the show, in the heart of the theater district, is very intelligently scheduled to begin fifteen minutes after every other show on Broadway starts so, if for any reason you can't get tickets to the show you planned, you can always come to see "Forbidden Broadway", get a slightly skewered capsule review and even have dinner there.

Over the years Alessandrini and his casts have garnered a multitude of awards: two Lucille Lortel Awards, an Obie, an Outer Critics Circle Award and two Drama Desk Awards. Ever the modest fellow, Gerard confides "they make me feel better about what I do". Critics and audiences alike applaud the sentiment.