Alan Palmer should be nominated for the Nobel 'Pieces' Prize for splitting the Icons as he mesmerizes you with his arsenal of flowing feathered finery and renditions of great Broadway tunes. No mere mimic - Alan infuses his grande dames, from the sublime Judy Garland to the self-styled Edie Beale, with a kinetic energy filled with nuance, grand gestures, humor, tenderness and a voice range that inspires.
Rather than "drag" this show, Palmer shimmies between reverence and irreverence from the moment he steps out in the iconic red dress and wig - you'll have to see it - exuding a healthy exhibitionism brought on by his passion for the Prima Performers of Broadway. He easily communes with the audience who get enthusiastically caught up in the participatory portion of the show. There were gasps of recognition as he strutted out Ethel Merman, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing, Patti LuPone, Liza Minelli, Chita Rivera, and Julie Andrews, among others.
I felt like a visitor to the boyhood basement where his supportive parents built him a stage, realistically rendered by set designer Jessa Orr, where his stilettoed skills were honed. He has a rack of costumes that he gracefully slips on with every personality while intoning the influence that each luminary had on him.
Carrying on in that tradition, his charming son Aaron ably commands the lighting board and audio for the show.
Alan Palmer definitely has the 'It', 'Wow' and 'Yes - that's her' factor!
I identified so well with female characters as I was growing up, especially the literary romantic ones — and, of course, the legendary ladies of The Great White Way.
The multi-talented actor/singer/choreographer/director Alan Palmer obviously did as well, for in his one man "woman" show The Fabulous Divas of Broadway, he lovingly portrays a bevy of great female performers, past and present. He tells a charming anecdote about his connection to the actress, dons the appropriate dress and wig for the lady or one of her characters, and then sings a signature Broadway tune.
But, I do not classify him as a female impersonator. He is not Jim Bailey, who looks and sounds more like Judy Garland than the legend herself. Palmer is quite simply a wonderful performer, a fine actor with a terrific singing voice who through paying homage to these ladies, creates his own magic. The essence of the particular diva comes first through the storytelling and then through his artistry with the song. Take Patti LuPone, for example. She is a favorite of mine, and of Palmer's as well. His disappointment at not seeing her in Anything Goes on a day her understudy did the show, his glee at seeing her performed as Reno Sweeney in Forbidden Broadway by an actress that "did not miss performances" and then his straight-forward interpretation of "I Get a Kick" with characteristic LuPone phrasing creates a naughtily campy yet delectable portrait of the lady.
He does not necessarily look like her or always sound like her, but her diva-ish spirit is undeniably present. Other magnetic instances are Julie Andrews singing "Crazy World" from Victor/Victoria, Betty Buckley doing "With One Look" from Sunset Boulevard (a dishy backstage story here) and, of course, Carol Channing performing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". Among the newer divas Palmer takes on quite admirably are Beth Leavel from The Drowsy Chaperone and Christine Ebersole as Edith Bouvier Beale in Grey Gardens. The Ebersole/Beale tribute with "Revolutionary Costume" is particularly marvelous, as is his Angela Lansbury/Mrs. Lovett singing "By the Sea" from Sweeney Todd. Another dimension of devilish yet innocent fun was added in this number by inviting a member of the audience onstage to play Sweeney, who was totally unfamiliar with the show and the title character's demon ways.
There are also very touching moments in the evening in which Palmer talks about growing up in Utah, the dance studio his father built for him in the basement of their family home, and about being homeless in Chicago during his lean years in show biz. In fact, the intimacy created here, along with two audience participation numbers: Name That Diva and Madlibs are not only winning but bring out further proof of Palmer's infectious charisma. "All the Lives of Me" by Peter Allen, performed in a dressing robe sans makeup, was a fitting finale for this engaging romp.
If a good nightclub-show with sparkling yet intimate touches of theatricality is your pleasure, this one's for you! Palmer is endearing. As a man, he's quite handsome; as a woman, wow, what great legs!!!!!!!!
Don't miss The Fabulous Divas of Broadway through November 25, 2007 only @ Open Stage West 14366 Ventura Blvd, second floor, in Sherman Oaks. Plays Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.
Alan Palmer's 90-minute, smooth and polished show is a loving tribute to his Broadway idols, starting with Tomorrow from Annie, and a song Shirley Temple should have sung.
Palmer declares he's 28, and will be 28 forever, to which his youthful looks and agile body gives credence.
From the age of four, he got his start on the dance floor his father built, with stage and curtains, aided by his mother with her love of old movie musicals. In this autobiographical play, Alan manages to highlight 18 Broadway divas, complete with appropriate costumes and wigs. Some are smashing, some miss the mark, but not for lack of commitment or passion.
Using his own flexible voice, he assumes a high voice for Ellen Greene in "Somewhere That's Green" from Little Shop of Horrors, his face highlighted, creating a magical effect. Another sensational number was Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman, using his arms and hands, and the same inflection and phrasing of Chita. In fact, for all his divas, his attention to detail is formidable. Memorable was his Betty Buckley in Sunset Boulevard, Palmer's contorting face reflecting madness in "With One Look." As Liza Minnelli, he handed out bells to members of the audience and asked others to use their keys in the rollicking song "Ring Them Bells." Palmer (looking exactly like Edith Bouvier) as Christine Ebersole, singing "Revolutionary Costume" from Grey Gardens, was stunning.
This show is a yummy treat for all lovers of musical theater!