BWW Reviews: Steven Brinberg's SIMPLY BARBRA - Simply Fabulous!

Simply Barbra can be summed up in two words - Simply Fabulous. Steven Brinberg's portrayal of the famous Broadway and music legend is a joy to see and if you have never seen Barbra Streisand in concert, then Steven Brinberg is the very next best thing. Dressed as the diva herself and peppering his act with adroit Streisand quips, he sings her well-loved classic hits to perfection. In short, Brinberg brings the sound and feel of Barbra to life in a truly magical way.

Hodges & Hodges were truly excited as we made our way into the City to see. . . Simply Barbra.

Nick: First of all, it was amazing to be in San Francisco after the historic Supreme Court Decision for Marriage Equality.

Linda: And especially during Gay Pride Weekend. The City was absolutely the - place - to - be.

Nick: It really set the stage for Simply Barbra. After all, the Advocate, Out Magazine and Gay Times have all recognized Streisand as a top gay icon.

Linda: And what a treat to be at Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel in San Francisco for Steven Brinberg's performance. Feinstein's is lush, gorgeous and perfect - just like Barbra.

Nick: The intimate venue provided the perfect backdrop for Brinberg's acclaimed one-person show. A hot-pink suede chair sat center-stage next to the requisite table with tea cup at the ready (just like Babs) and a beautiful grand piano (played beautifully by bathed in a pink gel, was ready for a star performer. I could barely contain my excitement.

Linda: Me too! I've seen Streisand in concert so I was very interested to see this impressionist take on such an iconic singer.

Nick: I wish that I would have been able to see Barbra live, but Brinberg was outstanding!

Linda: You know, as a theatre critic, it's our job to maintain some level of detachment so that we can critique the show properly, but very early on I got lost in the magic of the illusion - which I guess is the highest praise that a critic could give. Brinberg simply was Barbra during the songs.

Nick: During "Send In The Clowns," I just closed my eyes and listened. It was the closest thing I will ever get to being in the presence of the real Barbra Streisand and for me, during that entire number, he was Barbra Streisand. I was moved to tears.

Linda: I was too. "People," "Don't Rain on My Parade" "The Way We Were," "The Way He Makes Me Feel"-- all absolutely mesmerizing. And of course his mannerisms were spot on.

Nick: He had a way of injecting just enough humor with his mannerisms - or should we say - his Barbra-isms to let us in on the joke. He was gently poking fun at her even as he was honoring her. The audience just ate it up!

Linda: Brinberg is the consummate artist and I can only hope that La Streisand will one day come and see his show.

Nick: She really should. He's done a lot to further her career! Visit his website at www.simplybarbra.com and you'll read that he performed at Stephen Sondheim's birthday concert at the Library of Congress (and Barbra BFF, Donna Karan's b-day bash) and on Broadway in the concert version of Funny Girl with Whoopi Goldberg, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. He also performed many times with the late Marvin Hamlisch including a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Linda: In talking with him after the show, he shared that he'd left a voice message for Marvin Hamlisch, wishing him well after the 2012 debut of his new Broadway-bound show, The Nutty Professor. And, as we sadly all know, it was shortly thereafter that Hamlisch passed away. The late composer's wife later told Brinberg that his was one of the last two phone messages on her husband's phone. The other was from Barbra Streisand.

Nick: It gives you chills.

Linda: The Broadway theatre community is tight-knit. It was wonderful to hear Brinberg sing Hamlisch's "The Way We Were." Very poignant all around.

Nick: Simply Barbra is quite a show. Near the end of the show (Spoiler Alert) Brinberg goes off stage, ostensibly to change costumes, but instead comes back on stage dressed as himself. His pianist brings him back on stage with the song "I Gotta Be Me." Seriously, that moment of authenticity brought the house down! It was especially impactful given the historic Supreme Court decision on Gay Marriage.

Linda: It was a huge moment and I was so happy to be there, sharing it with you!

Nick: Me too. It was a perfect night.

Linda: Calling all Barbra and Steven Brinberg fans! Even though the show was a two night engagement, check out the website and get thee to the theatre to see Simply Barbra as soon as you can!

Nick: And come visit Feinstein's at the Nikko in San Francisco. We simply love it! Try the Wasabi Shrimp. It is out-of-this-world-delicious!

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