It’s in the genes… and perhaps the funny bone.
The Forbidden Broadway cast doing a rendition of Les Miserables
Joel Trinidad’s penchant for comedy could be attributed to his hilarious upbringing. Growing up in the household of Pinoy laugh legend Noel Trinidad, (who is, of course, his famous father) Joel proudly calls him his single most influential person in life. From an early age, Noel was the quintessential stage dad who taught him everything there was to know about performing and the art of theater. And, it can be said that Joel was groomed for the part of thespian from a very young age, taking roles in kindergarten plays and keeping a journal since he was only thirteen years old.
Carol Channing never gets old!
The multi-talented Joel can dip his toe into any acting, playwriting, or directing stint and come out with a round of applause and a bellow of laughter from the audience—which we so loved seeing in the Forbidden Broadway debut last May 11 at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza. Directed by Joel for Upstart Productions (his very own company), the off-Broadway hit is definitely the funniest, most in-yer-face revue that will have even theater noobs gushing once the curtain falls.
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A jab at Broadway
A portrayal of Into The Woods-- or perhaps, Into The Words.
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Watching
Forbidden Broadway for the first time in the ‘90s, Trinidad instantly fell in
love with the show and Gerard Alessandrini’s uncanny ability to shoot down the
likes of theater greats such as Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber and even
Claude-Michel Schonberg. Over thirty years in the making, Alessandrini compiled
skits of lyrics he re-wrote to the tunes of famous songs such as My Favorite
Things, Over The Rainbow, and Tomorrow—inserting the slapstick reality of the
real world one lyrical joke after another. From Les Miserables to Wicked, even diva
Idina Menzel wasn’t spared a single green spotlight when it came to propping up
the famous witch on a riser and having her cape billowed by fellow actors.
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Christine and the Phantom sans the drama!
Behind every Broadway success is a criticism waiting to be unearthed, or in the case of Forbidden Broadway, a joke dying to be told and a comedic act just begging for an encore! It makes you think: what ever happened to the little red-head Annie, who, twenty years after her career high is now a jobless chain smoker waiting for her next big break? The hard knock life is funnier than it seems, and Repertory Philippines actress Liesl Batucan donned the wig and the dress like she was made for the part. Other nuances such as Cameron Mackintosh's favorite things or Rent's anthem, Seasons of Love turned Seasons of Hype are bared on their own for all its comedic glory, yet other acts, most especially Mamma Mia and Hairspray, were just too funny to pass up.
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Bob Fosse himself would've been proud!
Rent, Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli weren't saved at all from every joke and jab thrown at them by Trinidad's handpicked cast starring Liesl Batucan, Caissa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez, OJ Mariano, and guest performer, Noel Trinidad himself. Theater geeks might've gotten every reference spot on, but newcomers like us were likewise rolling in our seats from side-splitting laughter at every performance. Remember, however, that Forbidden Broadway is not a parody of lyricists and choreographers who have made the stage their blood, sweat and tears, but rather, an affectionate take on some of theater's most loved shows. It really is just a funnier way of looking at things, and Joel Trinidad's take on the show is nothing but upbeat, refreshing, and a barrel of laughter!
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Directed by Joel Trinidad
Musical direction by Onyl Torres
Dingdong Fiel on piano
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