Review: Sarah Anne Fernandez' DON’T FORGET ME, An Empowering Look At Historic Women at Green Room 42
The reverence Fernandez brought to each story—the legendary and the lesser-known alike—was nothing short of brilliant!
Sarah Anne Fernandez, who garnered fantastic reviews for her performance as Elphaba in the US tour of Wicked, brought an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling to The Green Room 42 with Don’t Forget Me. A fan of both history and musical theater, Fernandez, with direction by Rebecca Aparicio, has created a deep exploration of women’s legacy, resilience, and power shown through the lens of musical theater.
With musical direction by Sheela Ramesh on piano, stunning arrangements by Kim Sharnberg, and supported by a talented ensemble of musicians - Brad Bosenbeck on violin, Sara Overton on cello, Matt SanGiovanni on guitar, Nic Mrakovcic on bass, and Jessie-Ray Leich on drums, Fernandez weaved a stunning narrative that honored the often-overlooked stories of women in history. From the opening number—Her Story, a luscious original written for the show by Michael Mott—to the evening’s last, Fernandez’s incredible voice (reminiscent of fellow Elphaba alum Jessica Vosk) effortlessly navigated the emotional terrain of women’s triumphs, sacrifices, and legacies.
The reverence Fernandez brought to each story—the legendary and the lesser-known alike—was nothing short of brilliant! Fernandez’ abilities ranged from delivering the comedic sass of "You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun" (from Annie Get Your Gun) to the soaring hopefulness of "I Have Confidence" (from The Sound of Music. But it was the moments when Fernandez reached for the less familiar, such as her fierce rendition of "Woman Is" (from the recent Lempicka), that truly deepened the evening’s emotional impact.
While this reviewer would have liked Fernandez to look around the room more and connect with those of us in the audience who were seated at the periphery, her seamless transition from musical numbers to thoughtful commentary demonstrated her ability to share story both through song and spoken word. One of the evening’s most poignant moments came when she delivered "The Spark of Creation" (from Children of Eden), giving light to the biblical Eve as a curious, courageous figure whose choices changed the course of humanity.
Another highlight was her performance of "I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl" (from Smash), where she channeled Marilyn Monroe’s vulnerability with both sultriness and melancholy. The number also included a stellar guitar solo from Matt SanGiovanni. Her heart wrenching performance of "Burn" (from Hamilton) just about brought this reviewer to tears, and her closing number, "Keep Marching," from Suffs, was a rousing anthem that left the audience wanting more!
Don’t Forget Me was a glorious celebration of women in history—an evening that was both reflective and empowering. This reviewer looks forward to seeing what Fernandez does next!
Follow Sarah Anne Fernandez on Instagram here.
Find more upcoming shows at the Green Room 42 on their website.
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Flame: The Songs of Brady & Browne 54 Below (8/23-8/23) |
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DiGangi With A “G” The Green Room 42 (8/18-8/18) |
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Troy: Crooner to the Stars The Green Room 42 (8/21-8/21) |
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Cristin Milioti Joe's Pub (9/24-9/24) |
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Kraft with a K: An Evening with Nicholas Kraft & Friends 54 Below (9/04-9/04) |
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Flame: The Songs of Amara Janae Brady and Xander Browne, feat. Sidney DuPont & more! 54 Below (8/23-8/23) |
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Danny Lipsitz and The Brass Tacks Joe's Pub (9/15-9/15) |
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John Barrowman 54 Below (11/04-11/04) |
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Manny Houston: At The Corner Of Broadway And Hip Hop 54 Below (9/28-9/28) |
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Justin Vivian Bond: Madame Stanley Joe's Pub (9/11-9/11) |
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