Barbra and Frank The Show That Never Was

A culture clash, or a stroke of genius? Showbusiness history is full of 'what if's', fantasized duets and speculative hindsight – but what if you could metaphorically rewrite history; combine the timeless legacies of two world-class artists and structure a show, befitting of the place in which both artists left an unmatchable mark? Then you'd probably come close to the never-been-done of Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo, creators of “Barbra and Frank: The Show That Never Was”. Unifying two of America's most prolific entertainers (Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand), “Barbra and Frank” brings 'what if' to life, in a revue whose very concept incited whisperings on launch night.

Nominated a Grammy for “Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals”, the 1993 release of “I've Got A Crush On You” (a duet featuring Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra) was the closest either of the real stars ever came to working together. Closest, because the duo never actually recorded the piece together, and even more poignantly, never got to perform as a live duet either. Streisand attempted to recreate some semblance of what might have been, with an emotive video hookup to old footage of Frank Sinatra, during her Timeless 1999-2000 tour. That was as close as the die-hard fans got to an authentic experience - until now! Audacious and cocky, yet beautifully mastered; “Barbra and Frank” has been gracing the stage of the Westin Casuarina Hotel and Casino, since it's running at the Riviera's “Le Bistro Theater” ended in 2008. The Casuarina's 2,000 square foot theater could be described as quite intimate, but “Barbra and Frank” couldn't be more at home within the venue, since it replicates the bar-room lounges of old Sinatra haunts (such as the Sands) perfectly.

The commitment to vintage nostalgia is apparent from the off, when “Barbra” joins “Frank” on stage for a reminiscent exchange. “Frank” jokes that he doesn't remember her from 1963 (the year she first played Vegas), to which she smartly retorts she'd be surprised if he recalled anything - “you were down the street drunk, with all those hoodlums!” It's this snappy banter and quick humor that keeps the show from slotting into the “just another tribute review” bracket, and makes for insightful swerves from a barrage of cult classics. Sharen Owens' “Barbra” is uncanny - from the stately elegance, right down to the mannerisms and vocal habits. Her commitment to delivering a true likeness of the real star, earned her a coveted first place when she performed on Fox TV's “Performing As”, and the chance to perform at Berlin's “Stars in Concert”. A seasoned lounge pianist, Phil Hawkes provides the live accompaniment for familiar Streisand numbers, including “People” and “Papa Can You Hear Me”.

Straight out the back door of the Greek Isle Hotel, Sebastian Anzaldo took to his new role opposite “Barbra” like a fish to water. You see, Anzaldo has been embracing the alter ego of Francis Albert for more years than he can remember, originally headline hopping around Vegas with his big band “Wild Life”. He made the transition to solo performer at the Greek Isle, as the lead in “The Rat Pack Tribute Show”, prior to his calling for “Barbra and Frank”. He admits it's the best move he's ever made – the honor of performing within a similar lounge theater, to a concept that has never before been done in Vegas.

Anzaldo's thrill is still overtly obvious as he graces the stage, trademark Sinatra swagger and bourbon glass in check. At one point, mid-way through the show when he shares the stage with “Barbra”, “Frank” sparks up a cigarette, only for her to flick it from his fingers, before it reaches his lips. It's this kind of playfulness that demonstrates the mischievous side to Sinatra, and how both he and Streisand most probably would have engaged in their hey-day. Delivering a string of old favorites, such as “The Theme From New York New York”, “My Way” and “Strangers In The Night”, Anzaldo has a hauntingly familiar tone to his voice – and if you closed your eyes, he could almost pass for the legend himself! Just!

It's possibly one of the hardest personalities to take on in Vegas – a city where “Ol' Blue Eyes” himself sold out nightly and commanded an unbeatable presence. Somehow, Anzaldo and Owens are able to create an unsurpassable chemistry between their characters, yet honor each individually, as if they were doing solo tribute shows. It's fresh, unique and vintage Vegas to the core!