On Saturday evening at the Hernando Performing Arts Center, the sophistication and talent of Barbara Streisand graced the stage. It was the season opener for the Hernando Performing Arts Center Guild.
Carla DelVillaggio, Barbara Streisand tribute artist, performed a wide range of Streisand songs with impeccable accuracy. She trained as a lyric soprano and has performed for dignitaries around the world.
DelVillaggio is at home with an audience. She throws dialogue into her show that transforms the performance into a musical conversation with Streisand. Judy Garland made a surprise virtual appearance, and a Streisand/Garland duet ensued. There was also a bit of disco dancing.
DelVillaggio was accompanied by the five member Hello Gorgeous Band. David MacKenzie was on sax, clarinet and flute.
Musical Director Chris Rottmayer was on keyboard along with the extraordinary Carol Stein. Stein was given a special segment during the show to dazzle the audience with her incredible improvisational skills. With a favorite love song shout out from the audience of “Once I had a secret love,” she not only played it straight up, she played it in the fashion of Leonard Bernstein and Mozart.
At the end of the performance, DelVillaggio was available to chat and sign autographs.
The guild is a non-profit organization that works toward helping today’s youth advance in the performing arts. All proceeds go towards student scholarships. Season tickets are still available. For more information call the Box Office at 352-799-5577 or go to www.hpag.com. The Hernando Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of Hernando High School, 700 Bell Avenue in Brooksville.
The next performance is Divas by D.A.W.N. featuring Carlene Mitchell, a nationally acclaimed R&B, Jazz tribute artist. Mitchell tributes 4 artists in one show: Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Natalie Cole. The performance takes place on December 6th at 2pm.
