‘Forbidden NYU’ channels student’s discontent into song

Though October is known as the month of papers, midterms and endless assignments, the College of Arts and Science Theater (CAST) brings a humorous touch to these stressful weeks with its hilarious annual musical “Forbidden NYU.” The show parodies familiar Broadway songs, transforming them into reflections of the perils of attending NYU.

Although “Forbidden NYU” is in its 13th year, CAST introduces new material with each production to keep the show relevant. This year’s show features a piece entitled “I Believe in Mitt,” a parody about Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Other songs have been used since CAST’s first performance, including “One Gay More,” a song modeled after “One Day More” from “Les Miserables.” The song focuses on the woes of being a straight woman at NYU.

Other classics include “Seasons of Loans,” “It’s a Hard Greek Life” and “If I Were a Tisch Man,” a song that incorporates an excerpt from the movie “Mean Girls.”

The show’s 20 cast members have been rehearsing for five weeks. Although the club is affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences, a range of schools is represented and the group members’ majors vary from theater to mathematics.

“[CAST] is a theater opportunity for people who don’t necessarily want to study [theater],” said co-director and CAS senior Jenna Brickley.

CAST is a tight-knit, cooperative group where even the creative directors participate as actors, and this sense of kinship brings many members back year after year.

“Finding this group was really exciting for me and really made me feel like part of this school,” said CAS freshman Hannah Caldwell, a new CAST member.

Steinhardt senior Anne Lieberson agreed.

“It’s the community we build with the cast,” Lieberson said. “It’s so much fun. They have stolen my heart.”

One aspect of the show that stands out is the cast members’ ability to make fun of themselves. In “Forbidden NYU” the characters declare themselves “culture creators and your future waiters.” It is this fun loving attitude that yielded the club’s motto: “We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously.”

No matter what your frustration with NYU or college life may be, you will most likely relate to many aspects of this hilarious show.

“Forbidden NYU” begins tonight at 8:30 p.m. at 19 W. 4th St., with a second performance on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life, 238 Thompson St. Although tickets are currently sold out, extras will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis at the time of the show.

Margaret Weinberg is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.