`Summer Blockbusters' at San Jose Rep

Many theater companies take a break during the summer months and send audiences into the great outdoors for some Shakespeare or Mime Troupe action.But San Jose Repertory Theatre is launching what it calls a "Summer Blockbuster Series."The two-show series opens July 7 with Forbidden Broadway -- 25th Anniversary Tour. Gerard Allessandrini's legendary revue that lampoons Broadway includes spoofs of Avenue Q, Wicked, Mamma Mia, La Cage aux Folles and many more. The show runs July 7 through 12.Next in the series is another legendary show, Chicago's The Second City, which runs July 14-19. Founded in 1959 Second City has been a training ground for a who's who of American comedy. The roster of alumni includes Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Joan Rivers, Mike Nichols, Elaine May, John Belushi, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.Tickets are $40-$60 and shows are at San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. Call 408-367-7236 or visit www.sjrep.com for information.