Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain (74 page)

[Two MEN and one WOMAN enter, in turn.]

MANI

WOMAN

MAN 2

YOU'LL ALWAYS PAY THE PRICE,

ALL

LADY THIANG

ALL

Why did I stay with Forbidden Broadway for so many years, from 1985 to 2009? I wore
many hats during that time, as performer, director, assistant to Gerard, understudy,
dance captain, teacher to anyone who joined the show, casting director, occasional
prop artist, and friend to all-I hope!

I traveled around the world performing countless numbers, directed more than
ten productions across the country, did a series of interviews
with members of the family for YouTube, and loved, loved,
loved every minute of it. Of course, that was the reason why
I stayed. My love for the show never wavered. In fact, my
feelings are as strong today as they were the first time I saw
the show in Boston in 1984.

William Selby and Steve Essner in
"Grim hotel:'

Did I use the word "family"? That's what we became.
When you're involved in the process of creating each new
show-with ideas flying about and Gerard's brilliant lyrics
being sung while you're trying to learn Phill George's terrific,
zany staging-there's a definite feeling that you're all in it
together. We bonded very quickly in the trenches.

And oh, the joy of performing those numbers for an
audience! To take every chaotic moment of creativity in
rehearsal, pull it all together, don those amazing costumes,
and share it all with an appreciative crowd gave me a high
I never grew tired of.

Being a part of Forbidden Broadway was like being on a merry-go-round, like
dressing up for Halloween every night. It gave me a chance to be a kid forever. I never
wanted it to end-and, in my heart, it never will.

The late '90s was a great era for Broadway theater. I think the freshness of Rent, and
the fact that it was a huge financial hit, sparked a sort of renaissance for Broadway. The
Chicago revival was another great success, and even some of the shows that weren't
hits, like The Life, were at least tuneful and original. Also, NewYork City itself was having
a renaissance. Under Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the city was being cleaned up, and tourists
started to feel more comfortable being in midtown. This was
a major reason why we had moved to Ellen's Stardust, so we
could be right in the middle of the action.