University Theatre to present Forbidden Broadway
Show offered for one weekend only – March 7-10

With all the negativity that surrounds us on TV and in the news these days and the cold, harsh winter weather that that is more than abundant, what sounds better than the opportunity to escape reality – if only for a few hours – through the wonder of theater!

The Sheboygan community is invited to check their troubles at the door for an evening of fun and laughter as UW-Sheboygan’s University Theatre presents its spring 2013 production of Forbidden Broadway March 7-10 in the Fine Arts Theatre on the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan campus.

Forbidden Broadway spoofs many of your favorite Broadway musicals, both old and new, including Annie, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof, and Rent. Crowds will be laughing throughout the evening, enjoying some new -- and only sometimes crude --lyrics to many Broadway classics.

“This time around, University Theatre is setting out to simply have a fun time poking fun at the wonderful world of Broadway musicals,” said Simon Provan, University Theatre director. “There is no single through-line in this show, but there are load of jokes that take familiar Broadway songs, characters and legends and spin them on their heads. Forbidden Broadway is a show that allows the audience to leave their troubles at the door and enjoy a hilarious hour and a half of theater.”

Provan said Forbidden Broadway has allowed him and Music Director Paul Sucherman to be creative with the casting. The University Theatre production will feature nine performers, many of whom will be familiar to Sheboygan-area theatre-goers.

“This cast is committed to making this show as fun as possible for not only the audience, but themselves as well. Every single cast member has their strengths, and with the number of songs in this show, Paul and I were able to cast all the songs because of the diversity of the performers’ strengths,” Provan said. “This cast has it all – wonderful voices, high energy, great comedic timing and awesome storytelling skills.”

While the show will allow audience members to enjoy the hilarious highlights of many well-known Broadway shows, the production is also an opportunity for the performers to experiences various styles of Broadway musicals. Due to the research required on some of the characters and legends featured in the show, the cast has been able to broaden their knowledge of Broadway and the American musical genre, Provan said.

For example, some high points of the show will feature Annie longing for another successful role, because after all, she’s 30 years old… tomorrow. Another part of the show will feature a Les Miserable mash-up that pokes fun at the confusing plot line seen in the Broadway production, and finally, a song that informs that, at least to a 17-year-old, Shakespeare is dead and the new high art is Mamma Mia.

Provan said that due to the inclusion of some crude jokes, the show is best suited for ages 13 and up.

Forbidden Broadway will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, as well as 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10.

Tickets are $12 for the general public, $7 for area students and senior citizens, and free to all UW-Sheboygan students with current IDs. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling the UW-Sheboygan Box Office at 459-6652 or visiting the UW-S Business Services Office during normal business hours Monday-Friday. Tickets also will be available in the theater box office one hour prior to show time each night.

The UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Theatre is handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. Concession sales will be available during intermission.

The UW-Sheboygan campus is located at One University Drive, just off Taylor Drive (between Indiana and Union avenues). The Fine Arts Theater is located adjacent to the East Parking Lot. You can learn more about UW-Sheboygan at www.sheboygan.uwc.edu.

CAST
Zach Holden, Plymouth
Timmy Wiverstad, Sheboygan
Houa Lee, Sheboygan
Neiko Dante, Sheboygan
Christi Lueck-Sadiq, Elkhart Lake
Eric J. Rautmann, Sheboygan
Sarah Huebner, Oostburg (UW-Sheboygan student)
Danielle Rammer, Sheboygan
Sarah Klauck, Sheboygan

CREW
Costume Designer – Tiffany Decker, Manitowoc
Lighting/Sound/Set Designer – Austin Weber, Sheboygan (UW-Sheboygan student)
Lighting/Sound Assistant – Tanner Hawkins, Sheboygan (UW-Sheboygan student)
Stage Crew – London Sprengel, Sheboygan
Stage Manager – Colton Angmeier, Sheboygan
Spotlight Operator – Alix Walters, Sheboygan (UW-Sheboygan student)