Review: SOPHIE TUCKER: THE LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS

by Toby Zinman

for the Inquirer

If you're wondering whether anybody under 90 remembers the singer and celebrity personality Sophie Tucker, who was born in 1884, the answer is clear: at least three people do. This tribute show, a bio-cabaret, was created by Richard Hopkins, Jack Fournier and Kathy Halenda.   Halenda performs as Tucker, singing some great songs, which are familiar, even if Sophie Tucker is not attached to them in memory.

Much of the pleasure in any kind of biography is that you already know something about the subject and want to know more. This show is more like an archival romp to support the claim is that Tucker was the "last of the red hot mamas," but it seems more likely that she was the first of them—followed by those famous bawdy, naughty red hot mamas Mae West, Pearl Bailey, Bette Midler.

Accompanied by Jim Prosser at a shawl-draped, lily-laden, candelabraed grand piano in the midst of a red-lit, potted-palmed set, Sophie Tucker appears in a tight red gown, tiar-ed and be-jeweled, a kind of female Liberace before the fact. Halenda is not a belter, but great songs like "A Good Man is Hard to Find," "There'll Be Some Changes Made" and "Some of These Days"  are great songs, regardless of who's singing them.

Walnut St. Theatre, Independence Studio; through December 29. Tickets $35-45.  Information: 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787 or www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org