Simply Barbra and Friends by Steven Brinberg at The Palm Cabaret Gary R. Beck - Beck's Best
January 1, 2016

Barbara Streisand, AKA Steven Brinberg, appeared from the side and hooked the audience immediately with soaring solid vocals from a well-trained performer. She returns again to The Palm in this new season and shows us why the place was packed and full of cheers and claps. This is one total star. He becomes Barbra both physically and vocally, using signature twirls and nuances mixed with discussions about her life as a superstar: the ups and downs, family, the successes and comments about people she has worked alongside.

She broke into "The Way We Were" and we knew immediately that a special artist was before us and we were in for memorable musical treats. Steven has the uncanny ability to imitate this icon of a singer. Asides were quite apropos and funny. She took us on a journey through fifty years of singing and nineteen movies.

The very talented Christopher Denny accompanies with flourish on the piano adding to the reality of a actual performance by this worldwide superstar owning a songbook of hundreds of tunes made famous in her very own way. Musicals were highlighted to no surprise, from her own classics as "Funny Girl" to Broadway shows and Hollywood movies.

Personal highlight was the 1916 French song "My Man" from her movie and early album. The song is great and Barbra's rendition spectacular. Reaching the upper notes, she displayed full, rich tones evoking the woman herself. She spun the audience around her finger with the beautiful "Evergreen." Stars "appeared" to offer a line or verse as Bette Davis, Cher, Katharine Hepburn, Eartha Kitt and Billie Holiday. Impressive and adorable.

Act II intermission featured another terrific performance by Amy Armstrong and Luis and Andrea of Bohemia Viva! Their voices meld with harmony richly adding to the song. This experience alone encouraged many of the viewers to add the trio's show "Spanglish" to their calendar.

Then the stage quieted, Mr. Denny appeared and began the familiar notes of "People." We went crazy when Steven appeared as his male self and continued to breeze through some Barbra tunes interspersed with melodies drawing from some of her friends. A standout was an ingenious rendition of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Barbra sharing lines with Neal Diamond as arranged in the original song. No doubt it is difficult to sing using voices of both sexes back and forth and he does triumphantly.

Steven has performed throughout the United States and has toured the world for over a decade. His performances on stages spanned Carnegie Hall to Broadway. He has recorded two albums and has appeared in films and television: remember "My Name is Barbra" and "Color Me Barbra."

Be mindful that this night is not only a compilation of Barbara Streisand memories, but one where a master demonstrates to the viewers the depth of his talent, bringing wonderful pleasure to all of us. Do not miss this one man/woman show.

Simply Barbra and Friends will be presented through January 18, 2016 with 4:00, 7:00 and 9:30 performances.

Tickets may be purchased at the Palm Cabaret Box Office, Olas Altas 508 in Old Town Vallarta (opens daily at 10:00 am), telephone is (322) 222-0200, or you may purchase tickets online at Vallarta Tickets.