|
 |
DIVA TALK: Greene, Brier, Days, Pedi and Schaffel Delight in Diva Christmas and a Sensational Secret Garden
By Andrew Gans
09 Dec 2005
 |
|
From Left: Pedi, Schaffel, Brier, Greene and Days in A Broadway Diva Christmas.
|
| photo by Ken Howard | News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.
A BROADWAY DIVA CHRISTMAS
There's an explosion of talent currently lighting up Off-Broadway's Julia Miles Theatre on West 55th Street. Of course, one would expect no less from a cast that boasts Ellen Greene, Kathy Brier, Maya Days, Christine Pedi and Marla Schaffel and a supporting company that features Kate Pazakis, Tedi Marsh and N'Kenge Simpson-Hoffman.
All eight women are uniquely talented, and when those talents combine in A Broadway Diva Christmas, the result is a thrilling evening of song and comedy. The limited engagement, which runs through Dec. 31 at the intimate venue, is produced by Tom D'Angora and Michael Duling and directed by the latter, and kudos to these young men for putting together such a wonderful holiday tribute that mixes familiar classics with lesser-known holiday fare.
The intermissionless program began with the high-ranging belts of The Jingle Babes (Pazakis, Marsh and Simpson-Hoffman), who delighted throughout the evening with fierce deliveries of "Silver Bells" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." In between each of the five stars had the chance to strut her stuff.
Maya Days, who was recently seen Off-Broadway in Once Around the Sun, brought out the "diva" in A Broadway Diva Christmas. Dressed in one ravishing outfit after another, Days lent her limitless belt to "Do You Hear What I Hear?," "Someday at Christmas" and an especially exciting version of "O Holy Night."
Though I'd seen her Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, I hadn't realized what a stellar vocalist Kathy Brier can be. Her version of Joni Mitchell's "River" was especially riveting — beautifully sung and powerfully performed. She also scored with the more rock-flavored "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and "Please Come Home for Christmas."
Marla Schaffel, best known to Broadway audiences for her Tony-nominated turn in Jane Eyre, drew laughs with Matt Stone and Trey Parker's "Lonely Jew on Christmas," and she also did well with "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and a belty, bluesy "Man With the Bag."
The comedic high points of the evening were provided by Christine Pedi, who dazzled with a Fosse-inspired "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town." Without giving too much away, the clever number blended "Santa Claus" with a holiday themed version of Kander and Ebb's "Roxie." She also delivered a hilarious audience-interactive rendition of "The 12 Days of Christmas," performing each of the 12 days in a different voice. Those who were Pedi-fied included Katharine Hepburn, Fran Dresher, Bernadette Peters, Angela Lansbury, Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers, Bette Davis, Patti LuPone, among others. Pedi also was a delight in her non-comic offering, singing a simple, touching arrangement of "Count Your Blessings" and "Christmas Lullaby."
And, then, there's Ellen Greene, the Little Shop of Horrors star who served as the evening's narrator, comically explaining how this grand assemblage of divas came to be. Greene can do no wrong onstage, whether she's gently caressing Mel Torme and Robert Wells' "The Christmas Song," delivering an emotionally haunting version of "Silent Night" (in German), slinking her way through a sexy, hysterical send-up of "Santa Baby" or bringing her many charms to Blane and Martin's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Greene casts a spell over the audience whether she's singing or talking, and the show is all the more richer for her warm, touching and wholly unique presence.
It should also be noted that musical director Brian J. Nash, who is featured on piano, leads a terrific ensemble that includes Ben Trigg on cello, Ben Zwerin on bass and Christian Linsey on percussion.
[A Broadway Diva Christmas plays the Julia Miles Theatre, located in Manhattan at 424 West 55th Street. Tickets, priced at $70, are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com. For more information go to www.abroadwaydivachristmas.com.]
Continued...
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2009 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|