Tommy
Femia is Judy Garland |
If you enjoy the songs of Streisand
and Garland, with a little humor on the side – this is the show
for you. Tommy
Femia, six time winner of the MAC Award, and the
Backstage Bistro award is “Fabulous,” The NY Times, “A
Pricelessly Sung Judy Garland,” Village Voice, and “Truly
Amazing,” Time Out New York … is in another word, is brilliant!
Together
with Steven
Brinberg, who has also won the MAC and Backstage Bistro
awards (“Absolutely Brilliant,” Time Out New York,
“Amazing,” NY Daily News, and “Wickedly Good,” NY Post),
after 10 years in the making, they are a rare treat.
In one of the two cabaret rooms in
this well known NY hotspot, I had the privilege of experiencing the
first paring of these two talented performers with voices that are
outstanding and comedy that was subtle and easy - I could have
watched and listened to them all night. They perform many Garland
and Streisand classics like People, Over The Rainbow, Don’t Rain
on My Parade, and The Trolly Song, as well as tunes the legends
themselves never got around to doing, such as I’m Still Here and
New York, New York. They also perform duets from Broadway and from
their 1963 TV appearance on CBS’ “The Judy Garland Show,”
including the famous Happy Days are Here Again/Get Happy duet. When
Steven (Barbra) asks “how is it that when we sang this last time I
was a kid and you the adult, now I’m 60 and your still 40?, to
which Judy responded, you have to die.” When asked about Eminem,
Judy explained, “I hate his music ... but love his candy!” The
music director on piano was Mort Lindsey and he segued nicely from
theme to theme creating interludes to change the mood.
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Steven
Brinberg is Barbra
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Throughout
the show they takes turns on stage alone performing solo’s. The
performer off stage uses the opportunity to make a costume change
before returning for a duet. Seeing some of these gowns alone are
worth the price of admission. Certainly the voices are really great,
but I also enjoyed their vibe, their expressions, and attitudes with
each other, which may have been funnier than the actual dialogue
between them. Steven Holt, writer for the NY Blade laughed out load,
along with the rest of the audience on many occasions.
The night I attended the room was
sold out, and the crowd gave them a standing ovation.
You can see the show Saturdays at
11pm on July 12, 19, and 26th. There is a $25 cover charge and two
drink minimum. Reservations (suggested) 212-757-0788.
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Rehearsals
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After
the show
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@ Don’t Tell Mama
Cabaret & Piano Bar
Located at 343 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row)
New York, NY - (212) 265-0001
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Copyright 2003 - Brie Austin - All Rights Reserved
