Dorothy Bishop: The Dozen Diva Show at Metropolitan Room
Dorothy Bishop: The Dozen Diva Show
Metropolitan Room, NYC, May 5, 2014
Reviewed by Rob Lester for Cabaret Scenes
Briefly ducking behind a screen, making quick changes of dresses and wigs, uber-talented Dorothy Bishop transforms herself into one female superstar after another. Spinning their famous songs, magnifying mannerisms, toying with tics, she visually and vocally (and vigorously) becomes each. Although the act brings some of the expected usual suspects doing expected trademark songs, she also captures contemporary Adele. I thought her most on-target and detailed work came with her Shirley Bassey impersonation, as she nailed the many unique pronunciations of exaggerated or dramatically slurred vowel sounds, accent, and varying levels of volume and intensity.
Acknowledging that diva’s age, the young performer updated the movements to show some “effort.” But the most out-and-out outrageous segment used a combination of herself live as Barbra Streisand visiting—supposedly via Skype—with Bishop on screen as Judy Garland in Heaven. They chat. Way too close to the camera, way into the cocktail hour, game but shaky Judy dizzily duets with Barbra.
Our multi-tasker consistently impresses with the range of characterizations and vocal range, as impressive sharing Cher’s saucy, low-voiced observations as the stratospheric challenge leaps of Sarah Brightman. The topper came when she sang in her own voice—sensationally. Dorothy is dynamite.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City Cabaret Reviews
