BWW Reviews: Toni Morrell Sensational in REMEMBERING THE LADIES
Remembering the Ladies
Starring Toni Morrell / directed by Karen G. Cadle / El Portal Forum Theatre
through December 31
Spending an evening with Toni Morrell and her Legendary Ladies is one to treasure. This lady, as I've reviewed her in My American Dream, is one hell of a singer and actress who embodies a star, and underneath possesses the warmth and radiance of a genuine human being.
With the expertise of producer and director Karen Cadle and superb musician/husband David Dial,
Morrell never does an impersonation, buT Lovingly brings the ladies to life - both living and deceased - primarily through song and anecdotes and also via film and video.
Highlights of the evening include: Dame Shirley Bassey "My Life", an Edith Piaf medley with her signature "Je Ne Regrette Rien", a lovely "Smile" for blondes Marilyn Monroe and Lady Diana, shy and misunderstood, true divas Barbra, Bette and Cher with "Memories", "I Remember You" and "If I Could Turn Back time" respectively, "Unforgettable" for Shirley MacLaine, an audience participation with "Falling in Love" and Marlene, "Before the Parade Passes by" for Carol Channing, "Is That All There Is?" for Miss Peggy Lee, "From This Moment On" for Lena Horne, "Some People" to the Broadway ladies of Gypsy and a glorious medley to the greatest legend of all time, Judy Garland, with "Quiet Please, There's a Lady Onstage" a heartfelt and fitting salute.
There is a hilarious montage of clips to the Bad Girls of Hollywood, including Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Barbra Stanwyck, Faye Dunaway, Meryl Streep from "The Devil Wears Prada", and a few who seldom wear/wore a skirt. An extra special treat on opening night was an onstage tribute to the Hitchcock Blondes and Miss Tippi Hedren, still stunningly beautiful at 80 years old. Morrell and Dial closed Act I with their video salute to "Shambala" (song composed by Dial), Hedren's very special place for all those glorious wild animals who need our help for preservation. There is also a talk back session in Act II with Karen Cadle and some of her wonderful stories about interviews she's produced with her favorites such as Hedren and the unique Miss Audrey Hepburn.
This is a wonderful evening in the theatre not to be missed. Sensational Toni Morrell will be entertaining, as only she can do, through December 31 in the Forum Theatre of the El Portal, so don't miss out!
for tickets, visit: www.elportaltheatre.com
or call:
818-508-4200/
866-811-4111
Post note request: I wish Toni to include Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone to the Gypsy ladies, and also to include Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, Jane Wyman, Loretta Young and Jennifer Jones to her film montage.
Brava!
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