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fantastic
great acting
impeccable performance
merman---not at her best!
musically entertaining
educational and very entertaining
entertaining
great music
great singing
musical comedy
professionally produced
show biz
ACE RAP
uncertified reviewer
June 15, 2015
This show is terrific. 55 minutes on the life of Ethel Merman and the songs for which she is best known. By the end of the show, the audience understands who this Broadway star of 40 years was and becomes familiar with her famous songs, most which everyone will know, even if they didn't know it was Ethel who made them famous. This actress has certainly got the Merman swagger and belt down.
Whoever gave a negative review must not realize that actors and actresses do not have to be the same age nor naturally look like the subject they are portraying - where would Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron be with that philosophy? As to the facts and lyrics, all were accurate and spot on.
Anyone who sees this show will see a top quality ...
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CAROL WILLOW
uncertified reviewer
June 16, 2015
I attended the Saturday evening show and was very impressed. Gaby Rey was truly a delight. The show was so entertaining that I never even glanced at my watch during the entire hour. The life of Ethel Merman was well balanced by describing the high's and lows of her life.
The singing was superb. I was so happy to hear all of the favorite songs from Merman's popular shows--I especially enjoyed the Gypsy Medley, I've got Rhythm and There's No Business Like Show Business.
I would strongly recommend seeing this show - anyone who loves musical theater will be impressed by the performance of this talented actress....
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JORDAN YOUNG
certified reviewer
June 21, 2015
tagged as:
musical comedy ·
show biz
It takes brass to write, produce and act in a one-woman show about a famous entertainer. Unfortunately, Gaby Rey hasn’t quite got the brass or the sass to pull off this impersonation of musical comedy legend Ethel Merman. She has a pleasant singing voice which she wisely amplifies with a face mic, and she can certainly hold a note, but she lacks the lung power and the pizzazz of La Merman. Worse, the script is monotonous and heavily expository; Ethel’s outrage over Rosalind Russell being cast as the mother in the movie version of “Gypsy” (which she originated on Broadway to huge success) fuels the show’s best moment, but it doesn’t last long before returning to the mundane. The singular costume looks good on Rey but is all wrong for the sho...
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ARNIE BERK
uncertified reviewer
June 21, 2015
I didn't know much about Ethel Merman when I walked in to see this show, but I sure do now. In one hour, I learned about one of the most famous Broadway musical stars of the 1900's. Miss Rey can sure belt out Merman's songs, most of which I knew - just didn't realize that they were all written for Ethel Merman. If you know Ethel Merman's name, but not much about her, you will enjoy this succinct story of her life. And of course, you will love the musical renditions of some of Broadway's finest melodies....
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CHARLES ZIARKO
certified reviewer
June 15, 2015
tagged as:
Merman---Not At Her Best!
A major disappointment of this year's festival, at least for me. Mainly a 50-minute lecture covering the life of Merman, in her own voice, in chronological order, with some snippets of songs familiar for their association with her. The Star was Too Young and Too Pretty for the part and, as a writer, evidenced some errors in chronology and lyrics. She does have a PIERCING voice, though it's not Merman's voice. The show needed (1) Props, (2) Variations in Costume, (3) Much More Singing (including Lesser Known Material) and (4) Much Less Plodding Narration! ...
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