The Fabulous Frances Faye

PAST PRODUCTIONS
Slide Bar

29th Jul - 29th Jul, 2008

Belvoir Street Theatre (Downstairs)

5th Jan - 12th Feb, 2010

The Fabulous Frances Faye

Written By Nick Christo

Directed By Neil Gooding
Musical Direction By Luke Byrne

Charismatic performer Nick Christo (Sydney Cabaret Showcase Winner) pays tribute to the outrageous and legendary band leader Frances Faye. Her outlandish style, cutthroat vocals and quips saw Faye rise from mobster gin joints in the 1920's to become the phenomenon of clubs across the US in the early '60's. Dressed in a tuxedo, Christo re-creates, without imitating, the essence of Faye, who influenced performers Bette Midler, Reg Livermore and Peter Allen.

Nominated for a 2008 Sydney Theatre Critics Award for best Cabaret, the show was a hit at both the Sydney Mardi Gras and Adelaide Cabaret Festivals and returns from a sell-out New York season at Manhattan's iconic Don't Tell Mama.

Sizzle to a cocktail of swinging jazz with the LB Little big Band, serving finger snapping shakers like Fever, Shimmy Like My Sister Kate and The Man I Love!

The Fabulous Frances Faye has played several seasons in Sydney, as well as being performed in Perth, the Adelaide cabaret Festival and in New York at Don't Tell Mamma

AWARDS

Nominated for 2008 Sydney Critics Award - Best Cabaret

REVIEWS

"Summoning the spirit of the wicked raconteur...chameleon-like Christo is undaunted."

Bryce Hallett, Sydney Morning Herald

 "… delightful, delectible, delicious … this guy is talented and you should get down to see him before he gets so famous you can’t afford the tickets - or be stuck in zed row behind a big hat behind a pillar in Carnegie Hall."

James Waites

"Though his pipes alone are worthy of the watch, Christo's transformation into the smokey US icon is the orange zing within this jazz Sherbie."

Jimmy Dalton, Concrete Playground

"An exuberant voice, loads of charm and fabulous arrangements."

Next Magazine, New York

"8/10...'You’re going to have a great time sir, whether you want to or not,' promises Christo in character. And you do, you really do."

Alyssa Blake,  The Sun Herald

 “Together with director Neil Gooding, Nick Christo has fashioned a loving, affectionate tribute to this almost forgotten star. It is no wonder that she influenced the likes of Reg Livermore and Peter Allen. If the show has a return season anywhere, don't dare miss out.”

Australian Stage

“It’s a measure of Christo’s effortless charm that he draws you so completely into Faye’s persona without a hint of parody. Fabulous indeed!”

Peter Burdon, The Advertiser

“Nick Christo is one of Australia’s finest cabaret performers...Christo takes us back to the infamous Chequers Nightclub [in Sydney] where Faye proved a sensation, and his band is equally fabulous. Bravo!”

Adelaide Sunday Mail

"...deeply wicked" Herald Sun

Original Cast

Nick Christo as Frances Faye
LB Little Big Band - Piano, Drums/ Percussion, Trumpet


Photo Gallery