Saturday, December 12, 2015

On the Town with Buddy Beaverhausen: Rita McKenzie Brings Ethel Merman Back to Life @ Feinstein's 54 Below

Everything came up roses last night with Rita McKenzie's grand impersonation of the late Ethel Merman in a night of song at Feinstein's 54 Below in NYC.

Ms McKenzie made her way through the Ethel Merman songbook with aplomb, singing and gesturing in an uncanny recreation. Even her patter was perfect!

It was a pleasure to be back at 54 Below, my first time since Sarah Dash's birthday brunch and since Michael Feinstein took over. The tech people are still top-notch and the service is always polite and attentive. Rita had quite a crowd for her return to that venue.

Ethel Merman, with her big belter voice, is quite a dynamo, and Rita captures her so wonderfully, it's easy to get lost in this performance, drift away and think you're watching the real deal. I didn't spot one false step through the entire show.

Buddy Beaverhausen highly recommends seeing this award-winning, critically acclaimed act when it is next performed in Manhattan. I never wanted it to end!


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