The Ruby Besler Cabaret

The show stars Anastasia Barnes as Ruby Besler who shares the story of her life through bawdy tales from her birth through the loss of her first love to achieving success on stage. Although Ruby is definitely the star of the show, she is by no means alone on stage. There’s pianist Dorothy Diamond (portrayed by musical director Gere Fennelly) and also her dancers, The Rubies (Tatiana Giannoutsos, Regan Carrington, Laurel Vecsey, and choreographer Flame Cynders, all from the Fishnet Follies Classic Burlesque Revue). There’s no nudity here, however. There are elements of burlesque conveying the glamorous, feminine, retro sexuality of the period: Somewhat naughty, but not lurid. The show suffered from the heat inside the Elephant Space,... full review

A tribute of sorts to those old "how to" videos of the 40's, and an outflow from her web series, Anastasia Barnes proves her adage that "funny is the new sexy." Surrounded by her "Rubies" (Flame Cynders, Regan Carrington, Tatiana Giannoutsos and Laurel Vecsey), Barnes aka Ruby dances and sings the story of her life. Wonderfully accompanied on the piano by Gere Fennelly as Dorothy Diamond, the show felt like more of a tribute to the days of vaudeville and especially the Zeigfeld Follies. For the rest of my review, check out Examiner.com... full review

The issue here isn't whether BESLER has potential or not. These reviews (some of which are partially CUT AND PASTE from the press release) believe they saw something from the 1940s. For discerning viewers, my pan of this show is explained at Stage and Cinema: http://www.stageandcinema.com/2013/06/15/the-ruby-besler-cabaret-hollywood-fringe/... full review

After seeing “The Ruby Besler Cabaret,” I have one thing of timely importance to say: There are only 3 shows left. Buy tickets. Why? The show is not only a feast for the eyes, but for the heart, mind, and let’s not forget, ears. Let’s begin at the top: Four leggy showgirls, Regan Carrington, Tatiana Giannoustsos, and Laurel Vecsey choreographed by fellow dancer Flame Cynders set the mood with precision-propelling white feather fans a la Swan Lake. To your right, talented Gere Fennelly plays piano, adding to the cabaret atmosphere. Then she comes on stage through the red velvet backdrop: Ruby Besler, the cabaret star, played by Anastasia Barnes, with an astonishing vocal range. Ruby lulls us into the story of her life, which is told wit... full review

This is evidently a fictional reenactment of a 1940’s nightclub act by talented singer/writer Anastasia Barnes. Instead of a set there are four zoftic chorus girls with white feather fans who pose seductively while keeping in the background. They were quite a bevy of pulchritude but I felt this show could have succeeded just as well with a bare stage and the excellent piano accompaniment. The memoir stories gave Barnes a chance to show off her acting skills but, in spite of some racy dialogue, it’s all a little tame. Still, Barnes has a sweet voice and a pleasing way with her original songs that did capture the now seen as innocent days of early cabaret. Morna Murphy Martell, Theater Critic http://theatrespokenhere.blogspot.com/... full review

This is Classic Cabaret at it's finest. You can't ask for a more pure example of what Cabaret should be! You can see my full review here. http://spencercotter.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/classic-cabaret/... full review

Lots of fun. ... full review