Oscar E Moore

Lucky Fort Lauderdale!  Steven will be appearing at the Rising Action Theatre Company February 19th – March 15th in Simply Barbra Salutes the Oscars.  954 561 2225  www.risingactiontheatre.com

I thought it might be fun to interview him as him and him as her.  The results are fascinating.

OEM:  WHO OR WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCE?

Steven Brinberg:  Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand:  Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll and Lee Wiley – for their phrasing.

OEM:  GREATEST FEAR?

SB:  Insects.

BS:  Forgetting lyrics.

OEM:  GREATEST WISH?

SB:  To live in a warm climate.

BS:  World peace.

OEM:  GREATEST INSECURITY?

SB:  Everything!

BS:  Forgetting lyrics.

OEM:  WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN’S STORY?

SB:  The Little Prince.

BS:  Cinderella.

OEM:  IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

SB:  I’d be taller…but then my act would be ruined…I’m already a little taller than Barbra!

BS:  More time to do everything.

OEM:  IN A WORD DEFINE SUCCESS

SB:  Success (in show biz anyway) is not having to wait for the phone to ring for the next job.

BS:  Success is having a honeydew melon and only eating the sweet part on the top.

OEM:  IN A WORD DEFINE HAPPINESS

SB:  Music.

BS:  Happy?  I’d be miserable if I were happy.

OEM:  WHAT WAS YOUR WORST AUDITION?  FOR WHOM?  FOR WHAT?  DID YOU GET THE PART?

SB:  Merrily We Roll Along.  The chorus.  Didn’t get it.

BS:  The Fantasticks.  Didn’t get it and later was first to record the songs.

OEM:  WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST BREAK?

SB:  Sondheim’s birthday concert in DC…pretty cool having him SING into my answer machine!

BS:  I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE.

OEM:  ULTIMATE DESTINATION?

SB:  The Moon (pretend woman in the moon).

BS:  The moon.

OEM:  FAVORITE FOOD?

SB:  Old fashioned NY-Jewish Cantonese Chinese (an endangered species).

BS:  Coffee Ice Cream.

OEM:  LUCKY NUMBER?

SB:  21.

BS:  24.

OEM:  LUCKY DAY?

SB:  Monday.

BS:  Tuesday.

OEM:  LUCKY CHARM?

SB:  My dad’s ring, previously my grandfather’s.

BS:  Any of my little white dogs from Sadie onward.

OEM:  WHAT WAS THE FIRST SHOW YOU EVER SAW?

SB:  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

BS:  THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.

OEM:  IF YOU HAD A BILLION DOLLARS WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?

SB:  Produce musicals on stage and screen that no one else would, like COCO and WILDCAT!

BS:  I do have a billion dollars.

OEM:  WHAT’S THE ONE QUESTION YOU ARE REALLY TIRED BEING ASKED?

SB:   Have you ever met her and what does she think?  I haven’t and I’m still not certain how much she knows about me!

BS:  Are you difficult to work with?

Tags:   Rising Action Theatre CompanyNo Comments.

Steven as Streisand

I first saw Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand at the Metropolitan Room October 2006.  I was amazed by his vocals, simulating Streisand down to the tiniest inflection.  Close your eyes and you hear Babs singing.  Open your eyes and you see Babs singing.  Mr. Brinberg looks strikingly like Streisand right down to the fingertips.  Literally.  It’s an amazing impersonation.

To quote myself – “Having been weaned on the recordings of Streisand and a most ardent fan – lo these many, many years – I hesitated to see a male impersonator of my favorite super star.  Well, was I in for a surprise.  A very pleasant surprise.  The ninety minute show is an uncanny and loving tribute to Barbra’s voice, her mannerisms, her nails, her ego, her unique phrasing, intonation, diction and, of course, her humor.  Steven Brinberg, at times, IS Barbra.  And that is no small accomplishment.  No detail goes unnoticed – down to her simple diamond wedding band.  The voice is almost as good and sometimes an eerie duplication of the diva herself.  I was amazed.  He even got the final “t” in “but” in Our Love Is Here To Stay.”

In May 2007 Steven was kind enough to be interviewed as both Streisand and himself in honor of the release of his new CD “Simply Streisand – the duets album” – which I have just listened to – It’s sublime.  What a glorious recording.  Steven still has all his powers of impersonation intact.  And he sings songs that Streisand never recorded, songs that she probably wished she recorded and some of her all time super hits – including “One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home” where she sang the ultimate duet – with herself.  I wish Steven had taken on the challenge of singing both parts.  But he has a wonderful partner – Debbie Gravitte – singing this powerhouse arrangement.

“When In Rome” with Kaye Ballad is outstanding.  Karen Mason, Alix Korey, Hugh Panaro, Betsy Joslyn, Heather MacRae, Mark Sendroff, KT Sullivan, Claiborne Cary and Mimi Hines who replaced Streisand in Funny Girl on Broadway all do a wonderful job.  Favorites:  “At the Ballet”  “The Other Woman”  “Why Can’t I Walk Away” and “I Wish I Were In Love Again”.  Well, I am in love again with Steven Brinberg as Barbra.  Even if he wasn’t singing as Streisand this would be a must have recording.  He’s that good.

His next New York appearance is March 20^th at BAM Café in Brooklyn. www.SimplyBarbra.com

Tags:   Barbra Streisand · LML Music · Steven BrinbergComments Off on Steven Brinberg – Simply Streisand “the duets album”

Bill Connington in ZOMBIE

Following a critically acclaimed World Premiere at The 2008 New York International Fringe Festival, Razors Edge Productions proudly presents a revival of ZOMBIE, an award-winning solo play by Bill Connington, adapted from the novella by Joyce Carol Oates. ZOMBIE is directed by Thomas Caruso and performed by Bill Connington. ZOMBIE runs from February 18 to March 29, 2009 in a limited 6-week engagement at the Theatre Row Complex (Studio Theatre), located at 410 West 42 Street between 9 & 10 Avenues in NYC. Previews begin February 18 for a February 21 opening. Post-show discussions will follow select shows.

My original review posted on www.talkentertainment.com 8/14/08 follows:

What is a madman?  What makes him murder and torture and rape young boys?  Should we feel compassionate towards him?  Is he just making fools of all the doctors brought in to treat him?  Is his disease a result of his bad relationship with his daddy?  Or is he simply looking for love and obedience in a world that has shunned him as being queer?

ZOMBIE, a one man monologue, based on the novella by Joyce Carol Oates attempts to enlighten us.  In this hour long performance by Bill Connington who looks like your average ninety pound weakling, who could be your friendly next door neighbor, who learns how to do a lobotomy by going to the library and who becomes proficient with an ice pick totally and eerily inhabits the mind and body of Quentin P.  No last names please.

His co-star in this production is a life sized dummy.  Quentin is playing a game of chess with this stand in Zombie as the performance begins until Quentin can replace it with the real thing.  We discover a bit about who he is and how he ticks until he explodes.  We are privy to who he will target and how he will seduce them.  This show is not for the squeamish.

The writing has a beautiful lyricism and style all its own.  There is some very dark humor.  No doubt due mainly to Ms Oates.  Mr. Connington has adapted her prose.  It’s an extremely interesting adaptation with an almost zombie-like performance of a tortured man who yearns for, lusts for his very own zombie to cuddle up with “as bidden”. 

Quentin P. is a thirty one year old admitted sex offender, who lives in his Grandmother’s basement but is in the process of turning over a new leaf.  Of starting over.  Trying to look directly into the eye of someone.  Anyone.  To make some kind of contact. Until his inner demons compel him to do the awful deeds he does to the homeless, the handicapped and his unknowing victims –  Raisin Eyes, Big Guy, No Name and Squirrel.

It is an extremely honest and open performance, with detailed direction by Thomas Caruso with musical underscoring by Deirdre Broderick which is most apt.  You will never be able to look at an ice pick in quite the same way after seeing this show.

www.zombietheplay.com

Tags:   Bill Connington · Joyce Carol Oates · Thomas CarusoNo Comments.

BroadwayBox’s Newest Innovation

LunchTix.com

Broadwaybox.com is proud to announce its newest money saving product, LunchTix.com. Members of LunchTix.com receive amazing door-busting discounts in the morning and have until 3PM that day to take advantage of the deal.

The only way to get these “Lunch Specials” is to sign-up as a member on www.lunchtix.com. Membership for LunchTix.com is FREE.

BroadwayBox.com is the largest community site for discount ticketing on Broadway, off-Broadway, London and Las Vegas.  BroadwayBox.com members share discount codes for theater and attractions as well as offer user-generated reviews and ratings. BroadwayBox.com began as a way to help New York recover following September 11 and get people back to the theatre. The site has grown significantly though strong word-of-mouth and has been featured in the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and other major publications. BroadwayBox.com has over one million visits per month and over 350,000 subscribers on its mailing lists.

  www.broadwaybox.com

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Having difficulty falling asleep?  Staying asleep?  Is there a pressing family problem that you can’t seem to dislodge from your mind?  Then go see SLEEPWALK WITH ME starring Mike Birbiglia at the Bleecker Street Theatre, smartly directed by Seth Barrish.  It’s funny.

Some time ago Mike Birbiglia started writing his “Secret Public Journal” a blog chronicling his habit of “making awkward situations even more awkward.”  Poor Mike never seems to get anything right.  Especially the ability to sleep.  When he does nod off he sleepwalks and that can lead to bizarre nights with his ex girl friend Amy (she got him to close to the alter) who can deal with his seeing a strange animal on the ceiling or his newest heart throb who can’t.  Even in his dreams he doesn’t win.  He pretends to be a loser which he obviously is not.

While traveling cross country, doing his comedy act in Walla Walla, one night back at the hotel, he jumped out the second story window resulting in blood and cuts and bits of glass imbedded in his legs and a weird trip to the hospital.  Mike also has a strange relationship with his parents.  And with most others, including doctors that have treated him for a cancerous tumor.  He graphically explains an exam through his penis and somehow makes it amusing as he paces and circles the stage at the Bleecker Street Theatre in his one man stand up comedy routine Sleepwalk With Me smartly directed by Seth Barrish.

His has a very low key comic delivery based on his life experiences.  He has a charming and engaging manner about him.  He has a somewhat chunky body that he admits to but he hardly comes across as a retard – a word he uses to describe himself at times.  He is smart.  And funny, in a funny way.  He is casually dressed.  Where are the pajamas that he is wearing on the program cover?    PJ’s would make more sense.  He seems sometimes to be on the verge of mumbling.  Better to get you to listen?  Pizza is a recurring theme.  He feeds off the audience reactions with a knowing “I know.”

It’s 80 minutes of set up and pay off mellow comedy that we can all relate to and so we find it amusing being told about situations that we’ve all been in but were afraid to speak of – especially to a room full of strangers.  I guess that makes it easier.  It’s safe and easy comedy.  Nothing controversial.  A relief from Bush bashing, the economy and change. 

www.sleepwalkwithmike.com

Tags:   Mike Birbiglia · Seth BarrishNo Comments.

Coming out of retirement and overcoming what some might consider old age (70) and a recent illness, STUMP a Sussex spaniel who never gave up and followed his dream straight to Madison Square Garden was named “Best In Show” at the 133^rd Westminster Kennel Club dog show.  Of course, I’m still partial to BRUNO (Jeremy BOBB) in Shipwrecked!  An Entertainment – The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as told by himself) at Primary Stages.

Tags:   Jeremy BobbNo Comments.

An Evening of Special Guests

Monday, February 16^th Metropolitan Room

Rex Reed *  Gay Marshall * Leenya Rideout *

Steven Scott * Daryl Glenn *

and special guest, three-time Academy Award winner

Stephen Schwartz

Join celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy when she celebrates Oscar with an evening featuring Academy Award-winning songs and winners as the theme of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Monday, February 16th (7:00PM) at the New York hotspot The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street – between 5th & 6th Avenues).

The evening will feature the following artists: film critic and columnist Rex Reed; 2009 star of the 2006 critically acclaimed off-Broadway revival, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, singer and actress Gay Marshall; from the Tony Award-winning casts of the Broadway revivals of “Company” and “Cabaret”, actor, singer, and musician Leenya Rideout;  rising actor and gifted comedian Steven Scott, Nightlife Award winner Daryl Glenn; and special guest, Academy Award, Grammy Award, Drama Desk and Golden Globe Award winning composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz.  Barry Kleinbort is the director of Jamie deRoy & friends and Lanny Meyers will serve as musical director.

Jamie deRoy & friends at Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street /between 5th and 6th Avenues) has a $25 cover charge plus a 2-beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 206-0440. Program is subject to change.  

THIS IS ALWAYS A FUN FILLED EVENING FULL OF UNEXPECTED SURPRISES!

Tags:   Rex Reed · Stephen SchwartzComments Off on Jamie deRoy & friends Celebrates The Academy Awards February 16th

One of my all time favorite CD is “Blossom Dearie”.  She sings in her own inimitable fashion such standards as “More Than You Know” –  “‘Deed I Do” – “Lover Man” (a better rendition than Streisand) and “It Might as Well Be Spring” – in French.  She is a comfort and a joy to listen to.  “Chic, sleek and squeaky clean, a voice in a million” said Leonard Feather in the LA Times.  Boy, did he get that right.  All of her many worldwide fans will miss her – but we’ll always have her recordings to remember her by.

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Michael Countryman without Bruno!

 By Donald Margulies at 59E59 Theaters – Primary Stages

If you love dogs, as I do, you will want to adopt Bruno – the dog portrayed by the most clever and versatile Jeremy Bobb in Shipwrecked! An Entertainment – The amazing adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as told by himself) a “rip roaring yarn” that has just opened at Primary Stages.  Whether Bruno is yelping or yowling or licking or wagging or cuddling or paddling or growling with jealousy, Mr. Bobb brings Bruno to vivid life and when it’s time for him to go in his sleep we are touched beyond words and actually miss the dear critter.  Amazing.

Mr. Bobb is not limited to his duties as a dog.  He portrays a whole slew of other characters – an Aborigine, Albert- a young boy, a Lady at Tea, a newsboy, among others including a wickedly funny Queen Victoria in this telling of the “every word is true” life story of Louis de Rougemont who is played with fierce bravado by the ultra charming Michael Countryman who could tell you just about anything and you would believe him.  And he does as Louis de Rougemont in this “are you ready to be astonished” telling of his journey from London to see the world and his amazing bouts with pirates, shipwrecks, black pearls, riding aback sea turtles, celebrity and ruination.  Mr. Countryman gives a captivating, astonishingly athletic and touching performance.

It is an interesting if sometimes padded and predictable tale that left England spellbound in the 19^th century.  Donald Margulies has fashioned a narrative for a bare bones production – going back to the basics of theatrical storytelling – to strip the stage of scenery and overwrought effects so that an audience “of all ages” (preferably over nine and under ninety) will use its imagination with the help of simple props and pieces of costume to bring to life – for example – a monumental tempest and whirlpool that mesmerizes the audience solely with light and sound.  The source of the sound effects are in full sight and part of the wonderful process of entertaining the audience.

The third person in this remarkable production is Donnetta Lavinia Grays – also required to become multiple personalities.  She does so with the greatest of ease – the mother of Louis one moment then a Pirate Captain the next, followed by an Aborigine wild woman who becomes romantically involved with Louis despite not understanding English – which Mr. Margulies takes care of rather rapidly and with great fun.

Director Lisa Peterson is at the helm and does a terrific job of keeping the action flowing, the characters changing accents in check and Louis centered – sometimes telling us, overly dramatically, sometimes with a wink what is happening.  Chapter by chapter.   A little trimming would be welcomed.

As it turns out Louis wasn’t telling the truth.  Does it matter when the ultimate outcome is so engaging? Was it worth ruining a man’s life because he told elaborate “stories” or “lies” as his detractors said he had done?  Well, lying to the public does have its consequences.  A valuable lesson to be learned despite all the fun.  

A potpourri of historical facts, a steamer trunk full of theatrical tricks and some fanciful fiction make Shipwrecked! extremely seaworthy.  Through March 7^th.

Primary Stages offers family priced tickets at $35.00 for Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday Matinees (Code-KIDM) and $25.00 for Friday & Saturday nights (Code:KIDE)

www.primarystages.org      Photo:  James Leynse

Tags:   Donald Margulies · Donnetta Lavinia Grays · Jeremy Bobb · Lisa Peterson · Michael Countryman · Primary Stages1 Comment

In a converted gymnasium, in the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, in Astoria Queens – yes you read right – Astoria Queens – just over the 59^th Street Bridge – a full scale, first class production of the Tony Award winning musical RAGTIME running through February 22^nd – Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens has just opened.  I strongly suggest you get to see it any way you can – by car or by subway.  Even if you have to walk, it would be worth it.  What an incredible achievement.  It’s a triumph on every level.

RAGTIME is not an intimate show – although masterful director Tom Wojtunik has made it so in the small space with a thrust stage and seating on three sides of the playing area.  It has a large cast with three powerful interwoven story lines – there is the WASP family from New Rochelle, the artistic Jewish immigrant and the black pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. – who created a new music called “ragtime”.

It is an ambitious undertaking for any theatrical company.  Excellent singers and believable actors are a must.  It covers a period of time in United States history when everything was in flux.  Change was wanted and change was immanent.  It was a boom for some and a bust for others.  But hope was everywhere.  Themes that resonate strongly today.

Why did I want to go to Astoria to cover this show?  Curiosity.  I was curious to see what APAC could offer in presenting such a daunting and difficult show as RAGTIME.  Also, I grew up in Astoria which had never been a hot spot for theatrical activity.   Well APAC is going to change all that.  If their production of RAGTIME is any indication of the level of their artistry, and I am sure that it is, they will put Astoria on equal footing with Manhattan.

Praise must first go to the creators of the show.  The intelligent and moving lyrics of Lynn Ahrens.  The fantastic music of Stephen Flaherty and the concise and beautifully structured book by Terrence McNally.  Next the APAC creative team.  The intriguing shadow box set by Michael P. Kramer suits the action perfectly.  The lighting by Travis Walker is exceptional as are the period costumes by David Withrow.  The quartet of off stage musicians add immeasurably to the production as does the choreography of Ryan Kasprzak.  Director Tom Wojtunik’s staging is inventive and inspired.  His use of the space is incredible and at times we are surrounded by the lush voices of the cast.  He has given his actors wonderful insight into their characters and each person has picked it up and delivered one hundred percent.  I am pleased to report that every single person in the cast of 26 is a pleasure to behold and to hear.  They are truly an ensemble.

So how can there be standouts?  Well, let’s put it this way – some actors have moments that are written into the script and if they fly with those moments they will stand out without distracting from the ensemble.  So my favorite moments:  “Crime of the Century” with Stacie Bono, “Your Daddy’s Son” Janine Ayn Romano, “Wheels of a Dream” D. William Hughes and Janine Ayn Romano, “Back to Before” Anna Lise Jensen, “Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc” Mark Gerrard and “Till We Reach That Day” Marcie Henderson.  Ensemble highlights:  “Getting’ Ready Rag” and “What a Game!”  And of course, the rousing opening number,”Ragtime”.

I cannot tell you how impressed and pleased I was to return to the land of my youth.  To be moved and entertained by a troupe of so many creative and talented people.  The Astoria Performing Arts Center has created something magical and memorable.  Go.

www.apacny.org  Tickets $15.00   Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 866 811 4111

Tags:   Taryn Drongowski · Tom WojtunikNo Comments.