Unfortunately, this delightful one-woman show in its pre-Broadway
musical, Ethel Merman’s Broadway, opened at the El Portal Theatre in
North Hollywood for a very short run, opening February 17, and closing
February 27. Performed by the talented Rita McKenzie, she is the
epitome of Merman herself.
-
- The show is hosted by the lovely Mitzi
Gaynor, who tells the audience that she was a personal friend of Ethel
Merman and that McKenzie makes her feel as if she is seeing her old
friend again, not only in voice, but in all of her body language as
well.
McKenzie has been playing Merman for twenty years, though she claims
not be impersonating her, she says “I evoke her. The thing I have in
common with her is her spirit.”
-
- Though she has spent these many years
performing as Ethel Merman, she is a seasoned stage, film and
television actress who has appeared in many facets of the show
business world.
- The El Portal Theatre is located at 5269
Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood and tickets are available through
February 27, by calling (818) 508-4200.
-
