AN AUDIENCE WITH BILLIE HOLIDAY
Starring Mama Alto & Warren Wills
Art Events Australia presents the world premiere of An Audience with Billie Holiday, a compelling and moving musical stage play, written by award-winning playwright Neil Cole and starring acclaimed Melbourne-based cabaret performer, Mama Alto as Billie Holiday, accompanied by multi-award winning composer, pianist and musical director, Warren Wills.
The legendary jazz singer, Billie Holiday was one of the greatest singers of all time, and had a seminal influence on jazz and pop music. Her tumultuous background as a black woman brought up in abject poverty in early 20th century, underwrote her unique singing ability.
An Audience With Billie Holiday is a tribute to the woman they called ‘Lady Day’; told in the first person by Mama Alto as the great artist, the story focuses on her development as a singer, her tragic back story that shaped her personality, talent and success, and the songs that saw her achieve unprecedented popularity.
‘Mama Alto possesses that rare commodity, a genuinely unusual voice, which was used to strong effect in interpretations which were at times evocative of jazz greats’
STAGE WHISPERS
Feedback/Comments
It was OK, not really my thing.
Absolutely loved it..!!!!
Amazing night very entertaining, by great artist
An amazing voice and performer.
Loved the show, Pianist and solo singer worked so well together. Good lighting and perfect production for the size of the theatre.
Francine
Very impressive singing, acting, piano accompaniment and stage lighting. Good Venue except the seats are killer. they did a good job of presenting her life and mood.
Can't rate it - locked out of the event due to late arrival
Wow just a beautiful show sooo realistic great singing, great piano playing. I brought a good friend she was a bit skeptical of a gay male performer doing such an amazing job. The transformation absolutely amazing mamma alto breathed jazz and brought billy Holliday back from the past!
An Audience With Billie Holiday
Wonderful show. Very entertaining Mama Alto carries the role well acting and singing the Billie Holiday life story. Accompanied on the piano by the very professional and delightful musician
Warren Wills
Thank you
Mama Alto is an amazing Billie Holiday, and you should not miss this show.
Excellent Theatre!
A powerful performance
Mesmerizing