Steven Brinberg is Simply Barbra Broadway at the Palm Cabaret PV Gary R. Beck - Beck's Best
March 6, 2017

Steven has presented shows as Barbra for a long time. He enters the stage singing and before your eyes is the real thing. He talks about his hits, his many musicals and movies, even his husband. Tonight all but the ultra-famous "Memories" are from Broadway musicals, not all originally sung by her. Her hair, makeup and facial expressions were perfect. No lover of Streisand or other famous singers should miss this show. She is accompanied by pianist and Musical Director Christopher Denny, who has a long list of credits including Bette Midler.

Barbra Streisand is the theme of the show tonight. Steven has studied every nuance, voice movement, notes and style. There is no denying this is one super show. "Hello Dolly" in which she acted and sang, "Mame" and "Gypsy were sampled with a familiar or unknown song. From "Funny Lady", the followup to "Funny Girl", she gave us "More Than You Know" sending waves of chills through your arms and spine. It was an absolutely delightful rendition. "Don't Rain on My Parade" was stunning especially since all the vocal curves and slides were identical to Streisand's, winner of the Academy Awards Oscar Best Actress for "Funny Girl". One could picture her on the front of a tug boat in New York harbor. Close your eyes and mostly likely you will feel you are at a rare Barbra concert, it is that finely tuned and accurate.

Steven Brinberg is a MAC and Bistro Award winner and has taken "Simply Barbra" all over the world to massive success, including Puerto Vallarta. Last season she made many friends and with this show, she will gain an even larger following, rightfully so. This is one fine tribute.

Steven slowly sent out "Tomorrow" from "Annie", but when remade, she declared she would be an older woman, Ann. The song was a variation of any version heard prior to tonight. "Yentl" brought us "The Way He Makes Me Feel", delicious in its depth and soaring heights, holding the difficult high notes longer than expected. The uptempo frolicking "You're The Top" from "Anything Goes" educed toe tapping and shoulder fluctuation.

She quietly imparted "Evergreen" from "A Star is Born" which gave Streisand her second Oscar, this one for Best Original Song. Difficult to believe anyone present had never heard this composition and what they heard was sheer bliss, a true show-stopper. This seemed to be the evening's highpoint but then she glided into "Send in The Clowns" from "A Little Night Music" which was performed fantastically and memorably. Continuing the string of famously impressive songs was "I'm Still Here" from Steven Sondheim's "Follies".

"People" is the most known song by Barbra Streisand and Steven saved the rendition for the finale, presenting it profoundly. She and Christopher sang a duet of "Who Can I Turn To" thus ending the night leaving us fulfilled and pleased with such a star performance.

You can catch Steven Brinberg in Simply Barbra Broadway at the Palm Cabaret Vallarta on March 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:00 pm, March 8 and 14 at 9:30 pm.

Tickets are available online at The Palm Cabaret or at The Palm Box Office which opens daily at 11:00 am. Telephone is (322) 222-0200.

The Palm Cabaret and Bar is located at Olas Altas 508 in Vallarta's Old Town Romantic Zone.

For more reviews of performances in Puerto Vallarta, visit More of Beck's Best: Theater, Cabaret and More!