reviews of Imagine that!
Producer Fred Mollin is no stranger to doing successful songbook albums so it’s no surprise he’s right on the money with this Sesame Street tribute to the street’s major domo, Joe Raposo. Since the show premiered in 1969, this really is one of those sets adults can enjoy with their kids as the street has been a constant for generations. Protean Broadway and media force of nature Strober is the right choice to bring the gentleness to the recording that’s sure to comfort the kids (of all ages). A cracker jack of a first class release, this is a top shelf set for all.
Imagine That! is just a happy collection of songs sung perfectly by Strober and her peers. She, along with Jason Alexander, achieve musical magic on the song “Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers,” an adorable duet that perfectly matches their musical talents. But if we had to guess, kids are going to go crazy over “I’m Pretty/I’m An Aardvark,” sung by French Stewart and Jason Alexander, who make quite the perfect pair.
Rena Strober’s pitch-perfect voice is as friendly as they come, and her renditions of classic Sesame Street songs are delightful. Somebody Come And Play immediately transported me back to my Kodachrome childhood in the 1970’s, when it seemed like the sun was always shining. Kermit The Frog’s trademark Being Green is wistful, if not a bit sad, and it’s sentiments related to the world today are not lost on me.
Strober’s take of ‘Being Green’ is a prime example the importance of the songs’ arrangements. Strober stays true to the song’s source material here, but at the same time she also gives the song its own unique touch. Her vocal delivery style here brings out her Broadway training while flautist Shane Kirsch adds another layer to the song. The addition of the strings to the song’s arrangement enriches the composition even more. The subtlety in each musician’s performance takes the original song and makes it an even more deeply emotional work that listeners will love just as much as the original if not more. It is just one way in which the compilation’s arrangements prove so important to its presentation.
Produced by Fred Mollin (Rita Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett, Billy Joel, Steve Webb, and many others), the wondrously vibrant, and highly affirmative album opens with the gentle pop hipsway of 'Somebody Come and Play' and continues merrily onward with DOTZ, The Blind Children's Choir shining brightly on 'Sing,' the exquisitely sung title track from Strober 'Imagine That!', and then favorites such as both 'Being Green' and the adorably humorous 'I'm Pretty/I'm an Aardvark' (featuring the unmistakable vocal talents of both French Stewart & Jason Alexander).
Rena Speaks About Rao's
Rena's New 1-Woman Show Rena's BRA Mitzvah!
Rena Strober's Bra Mitzvah is as hilarious as it is personal. A truly lovely evening from a very gifted person.
I love Rena Strober! Not only is she a wonderful singer and comedienne, she's got great tits! What's not to love? In fact, I went out and bought a new pair myself following her wonderful show.
I’ve never seen anything like them! I mean IT! THE SHOW! I’ve never seen anything like the show!!
Loved her highly entertaining and original show and the way she does my song, "At This Moment." Rena's far more than just a pretty face and killer shape! Don't miss her!!
rena strober selecte to be the emcee for the 2011 Celebrity Industry Invitational
Rena Strober in White's Lies
Rena Strober is a standout as a funny parade of women in Joe's life: a perky conquest
Fanny Brice-Bea Lillie-Carol Burnett funny!
Rena Strober as an assortment of lovers; they get the evening’s big laughs. (It is worth going to see Strober collapse drunkenly against a glass door.)
A saucy Rena Strober
Rena Strober proves memorable as all of Joe's jilted one-night stands. Her work enlivens Andron's script.
The Multi-tasking Strober!
Strober is a natural as all the women, slithering here and there.
No one more adept on the stage than the vivacious sultry Rena Strober. A fantastically funny fireball. She grabs your attention with every entrance and exit, of which she has numerous opportunities with this highly professional cast. Ms. Strober is physically reminiscent of Botticelli's Venus, since she is in and out of sexy outfits and wigs the entire show. Her ability to go from sexy and subtle to over the top comedy is amazing. Pay close attention to the bathroom door in the strip club, I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Be on the positive look out for this one amazingly talented actress.
Changing almost as quickly is Rena Strober, who plays to humorous satisfaction various women White has taken advantage of in his past.
Rena receives Craig Noel Award for ZHIVAGO
Rena Strober is honored with a Craig Noel Award in San Diego for her performance in ZHIVAGO at the La Jolla Playhouse.
San Diego Theatre Critics CircleOn Jan. 29, 2007, the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle presented the fifth annual Craig Noel Awards for Excellence in Theatre, honoring the outstanding achievements on San Diego stages in 2006.
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical, Female
Rena Strober, Zhivago, La Jolla Playhouse
Rena Strober in Fiddler on the roof
...Rena Strober, breaks the heart as she begs Papa for her freedom
Rena Strober caught the warmth and spirit of the eldest daughter, Tzeitel, and sang prettily.
Sharing great chemistry and singing voices are Rena Strober and Erik Liberman as eldest daughter Tzeitel and her intended, Motel the timid tailor. Strober was last seen in San Diego in La Jolla Playhouse's "Zhivago," a role that earned her a 2004 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award, and it's nice to see her back in town again.
Rena Strober delivers a standout performance as Tzeitel, anchoring “Matchmaker,” and serving as a catalyst for the action that tests whether or some dreams can come true. Strober’s tenacity and sweet voice matches up well with Erik Liberman, the whiny Motel the Tailor.
Tzeitel (Rena Strober) gave a spirited and delightfully fresh shine to "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," turning danced with string mops into dreaded fantasy husbands hand picked by the intrusive Yente (a happily overbearing Mary Stout).
Rena Strober in beauty and the beast
Rena Strober is a strong, spunky Belle who touches your heart, brings on the tears, and uplifts the spirit with her articulated, up-and-down-the-scale mastery of Belle’s reach-inside-and-make-you-feel songs : Home (We Are Where We Shall be Forever) with Maurice (her father), and the splendid song that delivers the essence of falling in love, A Change in Me.
Rena Strober in spaghetti & matzo balls
Spaghetti and Matzo Balls is co-written by Rena Strober and her brother Dean, with the musical direction of William Hindin. Strober discusses her life growing up in Middletown, NY, singing at popular Italian Restaurant Rao's, as well as collaborating with Italian tenor Michael Amante. Accompanied on bass and fiddle, Rena performs a mesmerizing version of the Italian operatic pop classic "Con te Partiro." Other remarkable musical numbers in her set include Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and a rendition of the Italian national anthem, which Strober delivers after discussing her experiences in the Ms. Italian-American pageant. Rena also talks about meeting former president Bill Clinton, and her grandmother, Sunny Strober. Strober opens her heart to the audience and discusses how she overcame one of the biggest events in her life: surviving a shooting at Rao's. She delivers a poignant rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" in response to the traumatic event. Through great personal strength, as well as the love and support of her family, Strober is living proof of a person who was able to triumph over serious obstacles. Her finale performances of "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" from the Sesame Street soundtrack, as well as a Yiddish version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way," are real treats for the audience. Strober's talents are not limited to vocals; she's a true entertainer. She has the presence needed to command the stage and believes in what she is says, making eye contact with the audience, which inevitably loves her in return. Strober's use of sincere storytelling and mellifluous vocals will make you laugh, sing along, and at times, Strober even breaks your heart. Throughout the musical, the theme of her play is always conveyed, illustrating the importance of family values, and although Rena may be a part of two families, she only has one home.
Blessed with a clear and powerful voice that needs no amplification (and gets none- she fills the Triad with an all-natural sound), Strober sings opera, pop, jazz, showtunes and folksongs in Yiddish, Hebrew and Italian with equal skill, weaving the songs into the narrative gracefully-- and, best of all, to good dramatic effect..With her quick wit, the uptempo songs are bright and lively, and with her dramatic strengths, the ballads are powerfully poignant. Dean Strober's direction keeps the energy and humor up, and never lets the show become too serious for its own good. William Hindin's music direction sets the mood for each moment, and nicely underscores the emotional arc of the story. Other remarkable musical numbers in her set include Billy Joel's "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and a rendition of the Italian national anthem, which Strober delivers after discussing her experiences in the Ms. Italian-American pageant. Rena also talks about meeting former president Bill Clinton, and her grandmother, Sunny Strober. Strober opens her heart to the audience and discusses how she overcame one of the biggest events in her life: surviving a shooting at Rao's. She delivers a poignant rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" in response to the traumatic event. Through great personal strength, as well as the love and support of her family, Strober is living proof of a person who was able to triumph over serious obstacles. Her finale performances of "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" from the Sesame Street soundtrack, as well as a Yiddish version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way," are real treats for the audience. Strober's talents are not limited to vocals; she's a true entertainer. She has the presence needed to command the stage and believes in what she is says, making eye contact with the audience, which inevitably loves her in return. Strober's use of sincere storytelling and mellifluous vocals will make you laugh, sing along, and at times, Strober even breaks your heart. Throughout the musical, the theme of her play is always conveyed, illustrating the importance of family values, and although Rena may be a part of two families, she only has one home.
Rena Strober in the la jolla production of zhivago
Sweet Voiced
Strong support is given by Tom Hewitt as the villainous, smitten Komarovsky and Rena Strober as Yuri's stalwart wife, Tonya.
Outstanding!
Strober commands the delicate role. Her duet with Burrows, 'It Comes as No Surprise' is an emotional highlight of the production.
Rena Strober is warm and natural as Tonya.
Rena Strober is beautiful and another strong voice added to the mix.
The very strongest scene comes in the second act, when the two women, Zhivago's wife (solid Rena Strober) and Lara come face to face at last, and just they can't manage to hate each other ("It Comes As No Surprise").
Rena Strober Sings At New York Friars Club Roast, NY Hilton Ballroom
NEW YORK, (October 27th, 2005) — Rena Strober sang “God Bless America” to 1,500 attendees of the New York Friar’s Club annual Roast. Before Donald Trump led the roast of Don King in this year’s comedy slugfest, the scrumptious songbird Strober brought the house down with her spirited rendition of Irving Berlin’s paean to our land.
Rena Strober Performs One-Woman Show at Helen’s Hideaway Room Monday, September 19th @ 8pm
NEW YORK, (August 19th, 2005) — Rena Strober, a name made infamous by the New York Post for being “The Songbird from Rao’s” during the unfortunate shooting in December of 2003 at the famed eatery, returned to the stage last fall to tell her story in Spaghetti & Matzo Balls. Originally scheduled for three nights only, Ms. Strober extended her run at Don’t Tell Mama due to its popularity.
Strober’s voice has carried her from the barricades of Les Miserables on Broadway, to duets with Italian virtuoso Michael Amante at Lincoln Center, to 114th St. and Pleasant Avenue at one of the ten tables at Rao’s. Rena is finally telling the tale of how her Jewish roots developed into Italian vines — and showing the voice that made it all happen.
Incorporating the works of Irving Berlin, Billy Joel, Lerner & Lowe, Tom Waits and her grandma Sunny’s Yiddish songbook, “Spaghetti and Matzo Balls” is an evening of narrative cabaret as Strober recounts her exposure to the world of Italian ways and how her Jewish roots eventually led her back home.
Directed by Dean Strober with musical direction by William Hindin. Helen’s is located at 169 Eight Avenue in Chelsea. Tickets are $25 with a $15 food minimum. All proceeds to directly to BCEFA. Reservations can be made by calling 212-206-0609. For press tickets please call 212-252-6995 or email [email protected].
Rena made her Broadway debut 4 years ago in Les Miserables and went on to perform leading roles on stage at Playwrights Horizons, The Goodspeed Opera House, Portland Center Stage, Sacramento Music Circus, and most recently originated the role of Tonya is Lucy Simon and Des McNuff’s new musical ZHIVAGO at the LaJolla Playhouse. She has also been seen onstage at Lincoln Center, Town Hall and Westbury Music Fair.
Playbill News Article on Rena Strober's Appearance in Zhivago
(June 27, 2005) Chris Hoch, Jessica Burrows, Rena Strober and Tony Award winner Anthony Crivello will star in the upcoming La Jolla Playhouse musical adaptation of the Russian-set love story Zhivago…(more)
AM NewYork's Article on Rena Strober's Appearance at the Friars' Frolic
BroadwayWorld.com: Rena Strober at Don't Tell Mama - A Solo Act Worth Catching...
(October 1, 2004) – I’m happy to without hesitation put in the ‘highly recommended department,’ the solo debut of the fabulous Rena Strober at Don’t Tell Mama.·Rena’s got a talent that’s part Sarah Brightman, part Madeline Kahn, and the rest wonderfully all her own. If you’re looking for a good hours entertainment with lots of laughs, and the occasional tearjerker from one of today’s bright young talents, I’d recommend putting this one on your ‘to see’ list. (more…)
New York Magazine Interview: Bullets Off B'way
(September 21, 2004) – In her new cabaret act, singer Rena Strober talks about life after the Rao’s shooting. (more…)