(Pictured: Katya to the right)LEE HARTGRAVE - FAME REPORTER
May 19, 2009
KATYA -- HALLUCINATORY FUN
“Whether your spending time at your home along the Seine, or in the City – it is always an occasion to wear glamorous clothes Darling.” – Sez Katya Smirnoff-Skyy in ‘What Becomes a Legend Most’? Her madcap vocalizations and her diamonds made her the legend she BELIEVES she is today. This show is all singing, cocktails flowing, tall tales and fantastic outfits. There are no button-down collars or substantial lace-ups here. Katya strives for form and a rejuvenated and up-to-date silhouette. The material is silk with the freshness of cotton – making it ideal for cruising while sitting at a Bar looking for a man who has money. “I’m doing it the old-fashioned way” – Katya Sez, while holding a glass of vodka -- “All I want is to meet a nice rich banker”.
Yes, Katya talks a lot – but keeps us doubled over with laughter. She breaks out in song with something totally unexpected like the Village People song “YMCA.” And she is very picky about men. She dated Liberace for a time – but the relationship went nowhere. “I could never love a man who was more sparkly than me” – she tells us in her heavy Russian Accent. Hey, after-all, she is a Countess!
Like most Royalty – Kayta is used to wearing clothes that make her feel as if she is not wearing anything. It must be constructed with comfort and class. Good tailoring gives her freedom to move around the stage and dance while maintaining a stunning look. You’ll find no canvas sneakers on her. And rope belts are definitely out.
Is she Political? Countess Katya reveals: “I have never been a political countess!” Well, I guess that takes away the rumor that she was going to challenge Nancy Pelosi in the next election. Although, Katya IS the most fashionable.
After her husband died (The Count) she laments that she was left destitute. “I was left with only 66 Steamer Trunks, my Bentley, the House on the Seine and my Diamonds” She purrs. Then she breaks out in the gut-wrenching song from Sunset Boulevard “I’ll Never Say Goodbye.” As she leaves France – she watches the people waving their French Flags and Eating Cake. “The French have issues” – Katya says.
She talks a lot about Puccini. “He was sprawled out on top of me. Oh, I’m sorry, daaaarrrling. Puccini was my dog.” She said, while gazing at her diamonds on every finger. Katya strolls over to the bar that is well stocked with Vodka – “How wonderful for YOU to be here tonight.” I was impressed with how smooth Katya’s monologues were. She never stumbled over her lines and her timing was perfect. Particularly terrific was her speech when she bemoans the canceling of so many gay weddings due to Prop. 8, by saying: “I needed the gigs, and all the booze and left over flowers I’ve missed!”
Right from the beginning, Katya gets to the hoop-la, rolling with “I Want To Be A Prima Donna!” from the Victor Herbert operetta, “The Enchantress.” And she did a wonderful rendition of “Everything is Coming Up Roses” from Gypsy” with special material written by Katya. And her toast to equal rights in the second act was “Make them Hear You” from the musical Ragtime. There is much, much more in this riotous evening. As Katya describes herself – “I’m the Diamond encrusted Audrey Hepburn of the East, Daaarrrlings!” At the end of the show – they were shouting “Viva for the Diva!”
THE DIRECTION BY ANDREW NANCE IS FABULOUS! THE PIANO PLAYING AND MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BY SUPER-STAR JOE KANON. HE'S JUST FANTASTIC!
AT THE NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE
RATING: FOUR GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE!!!! (Or Vodka) (highest rating) – trademarked-
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