By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Fresh off her starring turn as Tracy Turnblad in the musical “Hairspray,” LaPlace native Dianna Duffy returns to the stage at Le Petit Theatre in the French Quarter in the parody “Forbidden Broadway.”

According to Duffy, “The show is all about parody. It makes fun of Broadway and Broadway stars.”

The show in its original incarnation enjoyed a very extended off-Broadway run in New York before making its way to the smaller stages of the rest of America.

Rather than being a traditional, plot-based show in which the songs help advance the storyline, in “Forbidden Broadway” the songs are the story. Songwriter Gerard Alessandrini takes familiar show tunes and twists the lyrics into humorous versions that are instantly hummable yet surprising and mildly shocking at the same time.

For instance, at one point in the show, Duffy plays a 30-year-old, cigarette-puffing Annie, red curly wig and all.

“We even make fun of ‘Hairspray,’” she said, adding, “I actually wear one of my costumes from ‘Hairspray.’”

That is just one of the many costumes she and her three cast mates wear during the course of the show.

“It’s like a marathon backstage,” Duffy said.

This time around Duffy shares the stage with another St. John the Baptist Parish native, stage veteran Leslie Castay.

Castay has appeared on stages on Broadway and has done national tours. Duffy said it has been enlightening working with Castay.

Duffy said she has learned many things from her regarding experiences she “hopes to encounter when I move (to New York City),” which Duffy plans to do in early 2011.

“Forbidden Broadway,” which premiered last night, plays on the Muriel’s Cabaret Stage at Le Petit Theatre Thursdays through Sundays until Nov. 21. Be sure to check the theater’s website at www.lepetittheatre.com or call 504-522-2081 for tickets and showtimes.