Two indisputable legends in one unforgettable show
By Renée LiButti
The music, humor and high-spiritedness of Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand take center stage nightly at The Boulevard Theater. There's no place else where you'll see these two icons of the 20th century appearing side by side.
Before the show begins, a large video screen highlights some key biographical points and reminds the audience -- especially those of younger generations -- that Streisand and the late Sinatra never appeared together. In 1993, they recorded a duet of "I've Got a Crush on You," but their tracks were laid down in separate sessions. Thus, Barbra & Frank: The Concert That Never Was… is an imaginative encounter, and it opens fittingly with the pair belting out that classic Gershwin composition.
Tribute artists Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo have the difficult task of bringing two of the world's best-loved musicians to life. They handle the virtuosic demands of their roles magnificently.
Owens, who hails from St. Petersburg, Fla., bears an extraordinary resemblance to Streisand. In 1992 she moved to Los Angeles, where she performed as Babs in dinner theater and cabaret shows. Before long, she scored a spot with the well-regarded celebrity impersonator show "Legends in Concert," which led to numerous television opportunities. Owens was a winner on the Fox network's singing competition "Performing As…" and she's appeared on "The Next Best Thing," "Access Hollywood" and "Entertainment Tonight."
Anzaldo's background is equally impressive. Not only does he possess an uncanny likeness to the Chairman of the Board, but he's also a highly gifted entertainer. Raised in Omaha, Neb., Anzaldo studied music in New York City, courtesy of the National Endowment for the Arts, and then made tracks for Los Angeles. He spent 14 years there before moving to Las Vegas, where he discovered a knack for bringing the unique persona of Sinatra to the stage. Anzaldo's amazingly accurate portrayal was showcased at the former Greek Isles Hotel & Casino in the "Tribute to the Rat Pack" for several years.
After a few jibes between these superstar re-creations, the show splits into two segments. First, Owens chronicles Streisand's rise to the top of the entertainment industry through song. The timeless hits "People," "Hello, Dolly!" and "Woman in Love" comprise the heart of her tribute. A touching moment occurs when Owens dedicates "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" from the film "Yentl" to her own father, as photos of him are displayed on the video screen.
Shortly after, Anzaldo reappears and quips, "Not bad for an opening act." He then begins a retrospective of his own with "Strangers in the Night" followed by the treasured hits "Come Fly With Me," "My Way," "That's Life" and "Memories." From the tilt of his hat to the way he sips from a glass of Jack Daniels, Anzaldo's look and mannerisms are second only to Ol' Blue Eyes himself.
Of course, the most magical moments occur when Owens and Anzaldo are onstage together at the end of the show. The pair vie for the spotlight and have some clever verbal exchanges -- which serve as a preamble to hearing their sweeping harmonies in songs like "Somewhere," "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "New York, New York."
At all times Owens and Anzaldo own the stage and, more importantly, their roles of Streisand and Sinatra. Through vocals as well as costuming and charisma, they emulate the distinctive showmanship of these legends.
Both charming and enthralling, "Barbra & Frank: The Concert That Never Was…" delivers just what it promises -- a show where fantasy comes to life. By the end, everyone in the audience is singing along in mutual agreement that Streisand and Sinatra are simply two of the best.
