Christina Bianco and Jared Bradshaw in ‘Forbidden Broadway Goes to
Rehab.’ [Photo: Carol Rosegg] Ashford & Simpson and Michael Feinsten
perform at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency.
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By Jonathan Warman
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Feinstein’s at Loews Regency
Before the new Broadway season gets into full swing, I visited a couple of things I never tire of: Feinstein’s at the Regency and “Forbidden Broadway.” Recent weeks have seen a too-brief run of Mr. Feinstein himself, packing them into the Regency’s ballroom for a show called “The Sinatra Project,” and soul duo Ashford & Simpson, whom you can still catch in the more intimate nightclub.
I’m not the biggest Frank Sinatra fan, but Feinstein did a superb job of reminding us of Ol’ Blue Eyes’ most undeniable virtues. Most of all it was beyond marvelous to hear Feinstein, whose own singing just keeps getting better, backed by a tight, swingin’ 17-piece band. The show may return, but the companion “Sinatra Project” CD documents the current state of Feinstein’s art.
Now playing Feinstein’s, the husband and wife duo Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, who’ve enjoyed dual careers as performers and songwriters. Recently, they’ve been writing a musical called “Invisible Life,” based on E. Lynn Harris’s novel about a black man torn between two lovers, one male, and one female.
Two years ago, at their first Feinstein’s engagement, they debuted some songs from the show including a hair-raising anthem called “Born This Way.” This year, guest singer Terry Lavelle positively tears the roof off with diva voice and whip-sharp attitude.
They also recently released a collection of their more danceable hits, and in honor of that they sang a pounding rendition of “Stay Free,” one of their cult disco classics. This show is truly on fire.
“Ashford & Simpson,” Tue.–Thu. at 8:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Fri. & Sat. at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency 540 Park Ave., $60–$75 w/ $40 food/ beverage minimum, 212-339-4095, feinsteinsatloewsregency.com.
Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab
“Forbidden Broadway,” which is set to close on Jan. 15, has relentlessly and lovingly assaulted the Great White Way since 1982, when Gerard Alessandrini, then a struggling singer-actor, created the first edition for himself and his friends to perform. It lampooned the Broadway shows and stars of the day—to put things in perspective, that was the year “Cats” (another top Alessandrini target) opened.
The show, as always, is wickedly clever from early on: After a mildly amusing meeting of BAA (Broadway Addicts Anonymous), we get the diminutive Christina Bianco as Bebe Neuwirth singing about the real theater addicts of All That Chat to the tune of “All That Jazz,” and neither the sometimes dunderheaded posters nor the targets they share with Gerard are spared anything.
As this is to be that last edition of FB for at least a couple of seasons, it’s not surprising that the last three or four songs are mash notes to a few of Alessandrini’s favorite things. “Xanadude” lists the many things all us theatre queens love about Cheyenne Jackson, from his unabashed gayness and ringing voice to his beefy thighs, and oh so much more.
Don’t miss the experience these two distinctively New York institutions offer.
“Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab,” 8 p.m. Mon., Tue., Fri. & Sat., 2 p.m. Wed., 4 p.m. Sat. and 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sun. at the 47th Street Theatre, 304 W. 47th St., $60–$65, 212-239-6200, forbiddenbroadway.com.
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