SYMPHONY REVIEW Hamlisch, impersonator put their spin on Streisand songs

Vocalist Steven Brinberg wore a blond wig and shimmering two-piece outfit.
By ROBERT ROLLIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Monday evening the Pittsburgh Symphony launched its fourth New Castle Scottish Rite Cathedral Concert Series with Marvin Hamlisch at the podium, joined by Soprano Julie Budd, pianist Patricia Prattis Jennings, tenor and Barbra Streisand impersonator Steven Brinberg, and Pittsburgh area young vocalists Vanessa Campagna and Rocky Paterra in a program of music associated with Streisand.
Pittsburgh Pops Conductor Hamlisch's past association with the diva included serving as musical director for her 1994 world tour.
Hamlisch has a charmingly casual manner that brings the audience into his programs. He also is a fine improvisational pianist, who added luster to the evening with Bach and Chopin style solos on the tune "Happy Birthday," and with a short and expressive piano styling of his memorable song "The Way We Were." He also cleverly arranged a lively orchestral overture to open the New Castle concert with melodies later to be performed by the singers. The full-house audience appreciated his versatile talents.
Vocalist
The vocal highlight of the concert was Steven Brinberg's rendition of two numbers associated with Streisand. Brinberg emerged on stage in a blond wig and shimmering two-piece outfit, leading the audience to expect loud, brassy music. Instead, he focused on Streisand's softer, more expressive side in "How Does the Wine Taste" and "Summer Me, Winter Me," interpreting them sensitively and skillfully. Later, in a tuxedo, he did an entertaining performance of "Barbra" arranged by Hamlisch." At the evening's close, when all the vocalists joined for "Happy Days are Here Again," he skillfully jumped from his tenor range into falsetto, briefly imitating Streisand with flair.
Another highlight was pianist Patricia Prattis Jennings' performance of Michel LeGrand's "Yentl: Medley for Piano and Orchestra." Youngstowners will remember Jennings from her fine recent performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue on the Youngstown Symphony subscription series. The "Yentl" performance was solid and vigorous with good balance between soloist and orchestra. Ensemble was also good, except for a little problem in the opening triplet passages.
Soprano
Though soprano Julie Budd had top billing and good audience reaction, her upper range seemed excessively harsh, and she seemed to overemphasize the loud passages. Her pitch was excellent. Problems seemed to center on timbre and dynamics in the high register, and might have been remedied with greater attention to the microphone. Her best moments were in the melodious Rodgers and Hart medley from "Babes in Arms," and in the "Happy Days Are Here Again" ensemble.
Vanessa Campagna, 11, and Rocky Pattera, 12, were charming in the duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," made famous by Streisand and Neil Diamond. It was nice to see two area residents with talent, stage presence and a promising future in musical comedy. Both also did well in the evening's final ensemble.