Forbidden Broadway is a light-hearted, comedy musical revue that began life in New York in 1982 and has just finished a record 27-year run there.

Created by George Alessandrini, Forbidden Broadway takes an informal and entertaining look at the history of American musical theatre, lampooning and spoofing some of the current and contemporary musicals as well as targeting actors, directors, composers and writers. 

Last seen in the UK 10 years ago, Forbidden Broadway has now been updated especially for this run at the Menier Chocolate Factory and features songs from some of the West End’s most popular contemporary musicals including The Lion King, Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera, Hairspray, Avenue Q, Jersey Boys, Wicked, La Cage Aux Folles and Sunday In The Park With George. 

The cast of Forbidden Broadway includes West End regulars Anna-Jane Casey, Alasdair Harvey and Steven Kynman as well as Sophie-Louise Dann, who returns to the show she starred in a decade ago.

In hosting Forbidden Broadway the Menier Chocolate Factory shows it can take a joke – the venue has previously staged two of the revue’s targets: La Cage Aux Folles and Sunday In The Park With George. It can rise above any ribbing though – both productions won Laurence Olivier Awards.

For more about Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory, read the First Night Feature or the Big Interview with Anna Jane Casey.