by
Brianna Austin
(Girl
Talk Magazine)
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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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 |
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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