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Somewhat in the tradition of Forbidden Broadway - the long-running New York cabaret spoof of hit musicals - The Grave White Way offers samples of flops that never actually happened, performed by dead actors for God to try to persuade Him to let them enter Musical Theatre Heaven.

Okay, it sounds goofy, and it is.  As currently presented at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Hollywood, it's also funny and hugely enjoyable.  Subtitled "Some Musicals Just Won't Die", the production is the brainchild of Joe Patrick Ward, who is responsible for book, music and lyrics.  The ensemble cast (Craig A. Curtis, Lesli Margherita, Amy Rutberg, Joshua Finkel, Shannon Stoeke and creator Ward) is all-professional and highly capable.  They have learned the secret of good satire: play it straight.  Instead of Oklahoma!, the characters reprise their roles to another musical called Wichita!.  One over-the-top number comes from Father Damien and the Lepers, a tunester about working with the afflicted in Hawaii.

You won't leave The Grave White Way humming the songs, but you'll enjoy yourself while you're there.  By the way, each show features a celebrity guest appearance.  On opening night, it was John Raitt, the original Billy Bigelow in Carousel and father of Bonnie.  This is probably attributable to the presence of producer Jayson Raitt (no relation to John), production associate at the Pasadena Playhouse who has produced concerts with stars including John Raitt, Maureen McGovern and Michele Lee.