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Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You, Tell Your Friends
Book by Joanne Koch
Music by Ilya Levinson
Lyrics by Owen Kalt
Story by Joanne Koch & Sarah Blacher Cohen
Directed by Fred Anzevino
Music Direction by Gerald H. Bailey
Choreography by Benjamin Mason
Produced by Theo Ubique Co.
(in association with Michael James)
At No Exit Café
6970 Glenwood
Chicago, IL
Call 773-347-1109 www.theoublique.org
Tickets $20 dinner packages available
Sunday industry night $15
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 7 pm
Running time is 90 minutes without intermission
Through December 21, 2008
Exciting new work deftly depicts raunchy singer/comedian Belle Barth at No Exit Café
Fred Anzevino knows a winner when he sees one. After witnessing a reading of Belle Barth’s life story at The Theatre Building Chicago, he knew it was perfect for Theo Ubique’s No Exit Café. With the fabulous actress/singer/comedian Bethany Thomas as Belle Barth (1911-1971), the show was destined to be a hit.
What was surprising to me was the quality of show. “Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You. Tell Your Friends” is more than a bio-revue; it is a full bio-musical comedy complete with a compelling book (by Joanne Koch) and original music (by Ilya Levinson) in the style of the 50-60’s Borscht Belt songs. Owen Kalt’s songs are filled with bio material from Barth’s life. Songs like her comedic style “If I Embarrass You” and “Don’t Forget to Laugh” emotionally sung by the large-voiced Bethany Thomas enhance her life story.
Thomas presents a tour de force performance as Belle Barth. She mixes Barth’s foul-mouthed comedy with emotional tunes that depict Barth’s pain as she struggles for fame and personal satisfaction.
Bethany Thomas delivers the raucous humor of Barth so funny that you’d be hard pressed to tell her from Belle Barth. Thomas is a fine actor with loads of heart. She sings several emotional ballads so touching that we feel Barth’s pain. But the ‘too-blue-for-Ed-Sullivan’ comedy by Barth is the highlight of the show. The jokes are funny even if they are tame by today’s standards. They were scandalous in the 1950 & 60’s.
Gerald H. Bailey piano work and his arrangements gave Levinson’s music a lively flavor. But the star of the show is the fabulously real take of Belle Barth by Bethany Thomas. My guest saw Barth in person and she told me that Thomas was channeling Barth with her performance. This is a fine adult date show. Those who loved Lenny Bruce, Rusty Warren, Moms Mabley will appreciate the clever raunchy humor of Belle Barth. Bethany Thomas delivers a fun night of song, story and humor. Don’t miss this hilariously truthful show.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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