BWW Reviews: Good Theaer Pays Tribute to Barbra

Portland's Good Theater brings its "lucky" thirteenth season to a close with a delightful original musical revue, Happy Days Are here Again: Streisand's 60s Songbook, dedicated to the legendary Barbra Streisand. Written and directed by Brian P. Allen and starring Lesley McKinnell, the seventy-five minute songfest takes the audience along on Streisand's journey from Brooklyn schoolgirl to Broadway, film, and recording star.

Allen, serving as "the talker" narrates the story with his characteristic wit and sparkle, personalizing the reminiscences, and interacting with McKinnell and pianist Victoria Stubbs with easy-going charm. The various threads of the decade of Streisand's discovery are woven together skillfully, and the revue moves at a sprightly clip. Stubbs, who serves as musical director and arranger, as well as the elegant and excellent pianist, brings her musical intelligence and accomplished playing to bear.

It falls to the young musical comedy and cabaret singing-actress, Lesley McKinnell, to bring Barbra to life. This she does with a sensitivity and unerring ear for Streisand's landmark style without ever lapsing into imitation. Instead, McKinnell offers her own eloquently styled interpretations of Streisand's memorable musical moments rendered in her liquid honeyed tone, impeccable phrasing, and a haunting combination of emotion and restraint. As a singer, McKinnell displays a considerable vocal and dynamic range with a voice that is even throughout the registers, capable of both belting and floating a tone. Highlights include her comic turn as Miss Marmelstein from I Can Get It for you Wholesale, the "Silent Night" medley, "People" from Funny Girl, and the rousing finale, "Before the Parade Passes By" from Hello, Dolly!

The revue is packaged stylishly in Steve Underwood's simple black-white set, papered with Streisand memorabilia, set off by a tinsel backdrop, which is transformed subtly and colorfully by Iain Odlin's mood lighting. Kathleen Kimball and Justin Cote supply the three graceful gowns for the songstress.

The entire production is classy and nostalgic - a perfect ending to a memorable season!

Photos Courtesy Good Theater

Happy Days Are Here Again runs from April 8-26, 2015 (alternating with Steve Underwood's Underwater Guy 2.0) at the Good Theater, 76 Congress Street, Portland, ME 207-885-5883. www.goodtheater.com

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