Entertainer Christina Bianco Reopens Holmdel’s Broadway at the Barn

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By Mary Ann Bourbeau

It couldn’t have been more perfect casting when Christina Bianco played the iconic role of Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” at Paris’ Theatre Marigny. The critics and audience agreed, as she was awarded the Trophee De Le Comedie Musicale for her performance.

“Fanny Brice is larger than life, and that’s me,” said Bianco. “I can’t tell you what it’s like to play my dream role. It was an incredible gift.”

She won rave reviews from The New York Times: “Much like Streisand, who won an Academy Award for the 1968 film adaptation, Bianco pours irresistible life into the role… She is her own performer, warm and effervescent, with a clear, full-bodied voice.”

The run was extended and there was talk of transferring to London’s West End and possibly Broadway when COVID-19 hit.

“I genuinely went from a starring role in the most gorgeous place in the world, with champagne flowing, to being locked in my studio apartment in New York City,” she said.

But Broadway’s loss is the Holmdel Theater’s gain. Bianco, accompanied by Brad Simmons, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 as part of the theater’s Broadway at the Barn series.

The show is titled, “Me, Myself and Everyone Else,” alluding to the Drama Desk nominee’s penchant for vocal impersonations. She has become a YouTube sensation, with more than 25 million views of her diva impression videos, where she impersonates everyone from Adele, Celine Dion and Marilyn Monroe to Julie Andrews, Kristin Chenoweth and Liza Minnelli. She has even been known to throw in a little Prince and Michael Jackson, or even sing an ABBA song in the voice of Julie Andrews. The highlight of her shows is when she sings one song and switches quickly from voice to voice throughout.

“My parents always encouraged me to sing, and I always loved musical theater,” said the Rockland County native. “I was listening to “Forbidden Broadway,” which are parodies of Broadway shows, from out of the womb. I grew up singing along to the cast albums. I was essentially impersonating the impersonators.”

After graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, she was cast as the lead role in “Dora the Explorer Live.”

“At 4 foot 11, my height finally worked in my favor,” she joked.

Bianco went on to sing in wedding bands and jazz trios while also pursuing musical theater and working on her impressions. But she found her versatility was both a blessing and a curse, as casting agents didn’t know what category to place her in. Then in 2008, she saw an audition notice for “Forbidden Broadway” and landed a role in the Off-Broadway production.

“It was one of my favorite shows of all time,” said Bianco. “My life completely changed.”

As she was becoming known for her impressions, she took a page out of Sammy Davis Jr.’s book – she took one song and sang it in different voices and posted it on YouTube. Before she knew it, she was a viral sensation, which led to appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Today Show.” Bianco has performed at concert halls across the globe. She and her husband Billy  and their lovable dog Jeff are currently house hunting in London as Bianco is set to star in next year’s UK tour of the Olivier Award-winning comedy-drama, “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.”

“It’s about an introverted girl who develops impressions of the great classic divas,” she said. “It’s been a dream role of mine for many years. But the character of Little Voice is almost silent for much of the show. I will never have a harder job!”

Bianco’s live shows are a mix of impressions as well as some of her favorite songs, which include numbers made famous by a diverse group of singers such as Edith Piaf and Ariana Grande.

“It’s a musical comedy grab bag of fun,” she said. “It’s half my voice and half impressions. I want the audience to know me as well.”

Coming up next at Broadway at the Barn are Eden Espinosa Nov. 13 and Betsy Wolfe’s Holiday Return Dec. 3. These performances are full capacity inside the Duncan Smith Theatre. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test (within 72 hours of the show) is required for anyone unvaccinated or under age 12. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at holmdeltheatrecompany.org.

The article originally appeared in the September 9 – 15, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.