Cohen, Bernstein, Joni and Me, Upstairs at the Gatehouse Review
Deb Filler
Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Each of us has grand dreams and plans for what we want our lives to become but how many of us actually go for it?
COHEN, BERNSTEIN, JONI & ME at Upstairs at the Gatehouse is a phenomenal one woman show performed by Deb Filler about her own larger than life experiences. Filler is charismatic, self assured and in complete control of the audience.
She is genuinely pleased to see the audience on a rainy January day and from her first moment on stage brings light and warmth with her magnetic personality. Every subtle gesture and used of voice portraying all the different characters was well designed and deeply nuanced. She is a brilliant example of the strength of one woman shows.
With nuanced direction by Mitchell Cushman we see Filler tell her life story. Much of the story is shaped by the experiences of being raised by her Yiddish speaking father who survived Auschwitz. His strength, compassion and impact on her life and performance style is crystal clear and incredibly moving. This is also extended with her mother’s love of New York cheesecake and Judy Garland.
Her love and pride in her Jewish identity and culture is reflected in every vignette retold upon the stage. From her childhood in Auckland New Zealand to chasing her dreams of singing in New York in the 70s, Filler shows grit, determination and resilience in never giving up on finding her way forwards. Her interactions with the legends of the musical world, mostly through chance met introductions, is hilarious and a reminder of the incredible The show is also a strong reminder of how theatre is a universal art form and can bond us all, regardless of our backgrounds. Although many of the jokes are specific to her Jewish heritage, even if you are not of that community, the humour and joy is easily accessible.
The set is a raised dais and basic projector, yet its minimalism is perfect to showcase Filler’s larger than life personality and magnifies her captivating presence even more. The projector playing photos of Filler and her family, as well as providing proof of her outrageous experiences. This keeps the performance intimate and warm.
The performance is 90 minutes without an interval. Although it traverses three continents and multiple cities Filler’s clever narration keeps the story grounded and fully controlled. It is solidly paced and balanced between moments of hilarity and a reflection of the serious twists and turns of life. Its themes of resilience, remembering your heritage and staying true to your dreams was powerful and portrayed in a deeply nuanced form.
The show’s ending line of “a dream is the prelude to finding your own voice”best sums up the overall experience this show provides. You will leave feeling renewed, refreshed and full of hope and ambition for your own future. It is rare to find a show that is so sincere and full of the joy of a life well lived in search of finding your dreams. Its message of hope and resilience is powerful and incredibly profound. If you want a show that will make you laugh, cry and revel in the joy of being alive and brighten your dreary January then this is the show for you.
Cohen, Bernstein, Joni and Me plays at Upstairs at the Gatehouse until February 1st.
★★★★★
