TRIBUTE shows can be fantastic, but let’s be honest – listening to just one person’s music and songs all evening can become a little repetitive however good the tribute artist and original music are.
Aussie award-winning singer Monique Montez has come up with a solution in the form of Damn Good Divas, a show that pays tribute to not one, but eight fantastic singers: Barbara Streisand, Dusty Springfield, Liza Minnelli, Cher, Aretha Franklin, Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross and Bette Midler.
The concept came to Monique in a dream.
“I love Shirley Bassey in particular,” she said. “I grew up listening to her. I just love the strength of her voice and the passion in her singing. I used to run around the playground singing Goldfinger.”
Monique enlisted the help of another great singer, Danielle Barnes, to bring the show to life.
The way they decided to divvy up the divas was simple: hair colour.
“I do most of the brunettes and Danielle does the blondes,” Monique said with a laugh. “They are all great, but it just so happened that my favourites were largely the brunettes.”
The two-hour resulting show features 28 songs, extravagant costumes, and the backing of a great seven-piece band.
Monique says every diva has her moment to shine, but the highlight for her is when she and Danielle go head to head as Diana Ross and Barbara Streisand.
“It’s a really great moment,” she said. “It’s two powerhouse voices coming together as one. It gets everyone up on their feet.”
She says the reaction from audiences to date has been fantastic.
“People come out of the door at the end and are just happy,” Monique said.
“They have had two hours of escape into another world. They are just smiling.
“At one show we had to get security to stop people dancing on tables, everyone was enjoying themselves so much.
“It’s also a show that appeals to all ages, as each generation in turn discovers the divas’ great music.”
The quality of the singing and music is also top level.
Monique herself has wowed audiences worldwide and has been hired and admired by the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Richard Pratt and Baz Lurhman.
She has supported artists such as Mickey Rooney, Taylor Dayne, The Drifters, Tom Burlinson and Human Nature. Her musical roles include Saturday Night Fever, We Will Rock You, Dusty The Original Pop Diva, Fiddler on the Roof and Dusty The Concert.
Danielle Barnes’ career has also spanned more than 23 years featuring in some of the biggest musical productions such as They’re Playing Our Song, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Carousel, The Full Monty, Oh What A Night, Buddy The Musical, The Boy From Oz, Beauty and The Beast, Hello Dolly, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and at least another 10 productions.
Like Monique, Danielle has performed internationally in Beijing and New Zealand to overwhelming accolades.
Damn Good Divas is on at the Glasshouse on Friday 27 June, starting at 8pm. Tickets cost $55 adult, $50 concession and $50 a head for groups of four or more.
Book early to secure your preferred seats. Visit www.glasshouse.org.au or call on 6581 8888.
