News & Reviews from New York |
July 21st, 2014
SHARON McNIGHT at The Metropolitan Room in RED HOT MAMA- A Musical Biography of the Great Sophie Tucker really IS hot- its a conflagration. Tucker, the blonde, zoftik singer/comediene who was the rare performer doing blue material in the 20s and 30s is powerfully portrayed by McNight, who has the vocal power and musicality for the songs, and the pin-point comic timing and the bizazz for the slightly off color comedy delivered with the authority and voice of a master. Its a marvelous re-creation of a unique legend. Many of the songs are familiar big brassy, and all on key- they were never performed better, and McNight gives many a special comedic spin. And she throws in songs like Therell Be Some Changes Made, a straight ahead song with a jazz twist that captivates. Her My Yiddishe Mama is a killer- brought tears to my old Yiddishe eyes. When she throws in banter with the audience, she has the timing of a master. This show had an Off Broadway run it should do a re-run with, perhaps, four male dancers. Its top of the ladder stuff. They dont make better solo cabaret shows than the Red Hot Sharon McNight. Three more performances: Wed, July 23, Friday August 1 and Sunday August 3. 34 W 22nd St. -212) 206-0440.
Richmond Shepard Performing Arts INSIDER, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics Circle |
July 10th, 2014
FUERZA BRUTA:
Wayra is the best Spectacle/Experience in town maybe in the world.
You stand for eighty minutes, and the show takes place over you
figures flying, gymnatics, romance, swimming, with music by Gaby Kerpel,
all directed by
Richmond Shepard Performing Arts INSIDER, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics |
July 09th, 2014
The amazing Jim Dale has written and performs in his one man autobiographical English Musical Hall show JUST JIM DALE. As he recounts his Showbusiness life story- singer, dancer, comedian, actor, impressionist and mime, he illustrates with numbers from his Broadway and other shows, with a vivid physical agility that is very rare today, especially for a man nearing his 79th birthday. As an eighty-five year old who has been doing mime for over sixty years, and is now the oldest mime in the world, I can tell you the kid is phenomenal. Hes a great entertainer with a twinkle in his eyes, and accompanied on piano by the fast-fingered Mark York, all nimbly directed by Richard Maltby, Ive never seen a better one-person show. JUST JIM DALE cooks from start to finish, and I cant get the song Georgie Girl, which he wrote the lyrics for, out of my head. Miss it and you miss the best there is.
Richmond Shepard Performing Arts INSIDER, lively-arts.com, Outer Critics Circle |
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