Applause! Applause! Review of Ronnie Giles' My Favorite Baby Boomer Love Songs at Don't Tell Mama by George Strum

This review of Ronnie Giles' My Favorite Baby Boomer Love Songs at Don't Tell Mama was written by George Strum and published in Volume X, Issue 5 (2015) of the online edition of Applause! Applause!

My Favorite Baby Boomer Love Songs - Ronnie Giles
Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)
Reviewed 3/6/15 at 7:00 p.m.

Ronnie Giles is fairly new to this game of cabaret performing but you wouldn't know it as he comes off like an old pro in his original One-Man Show entitled "My Favorite Baby Boomer Love Songs" at Don't Tell Mama. The dozen or so songs he performs with aplomb are with Daryl Kojak, his accompanying pianist and his musical director and arranger. The comic banter between numbers kept the proceedings light. However, one small glitch in communication occurred when Mr. Giles began to sing a song that his pianist wasn't playing, but that was handled humorously. The songs chosen all sit comfortably in the 60's and the emotion and feeling of each song was well-communicated to the audience. The highlight was his rendition of "Town Without Pity." It had a cool and jazzy feel about it as if he lived through an unrequited romance.

Mr. Giles likes to move now and then through his numbers which shows his agility and keeps the act from being static, which was well-appreciated by all attendees. In the middle of the program, Mr. Giles introduces a "surprise guest." Well, anything like this can happen here in New York City and it did here. The Diva herself, Barbra Streisand, who we are told was a good old friend of Mr. Giles from his Brooklyn days. Actually, she was portrayed by Dorothy Bishop, a professional celebrity impersonator who has her own show, The Dozen Divas, at the Metropolitan Room. A duet of "People" had its share of laughs. Ms. Bishop, although not exactly a Barbra look-alike, was able to capture her singing and vocal eccentricities. I think Ms. Bishop is talented in her own right and meeting her after the show, I was also able to see that she is a sweet person. Taking the stage solo again, Mr. Giles gives it his all in a show tune like Porter medley finale.

Ronnie Giles is a fine example of fulfilling one's dreams late in life. If you've always wanted to be on stage or screen when you were young, nothing should stop you now in your 50's or 60's. Just go ahead and do it! Life may surprise you!