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Spring Hill-based Absolutely Fabulous! unites five talents into one eclectic show.
By JOY DAVIS-PLATT, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 9, 2002
SPRING HILL -- From standards to opera, five local entertainers are joining forces this weekend to bring their varied talents to audiences at the Temple Beth David Jewish Center.
A newly formed vocal group based in Spring Hill, Absolutely Fabulous! features professional singers Carla Becker, Bill Castner, Mike D'Aquino, Susan Falcone and Louie Fortunato. For musical revues, Becker said, the group's diversity is its strongest asset.
"The mix is what sells the show," she said. "It's a lot of elements that come together to make for a great show. It's so diverse. That's why people love it."
For Fortunato, known locally for singing with a 1950s-style group, Absolutely Fabulous! is an opportunity to expand his musical horizons.
"I like this very much," said Fortunato, who will perform hits by Engelbert Humperdinck, including The Way it Used to Be, Last Waltz and This Moment in Time. "It really gives me a chance to branch out and do something different. I look forward to seeing entirely different audiences."
For Castner, a singer and dancer, performing with the group is an opportunity to get to know his new home and neighbors in Spring Hill and beyond. The Chicago native said he looks forward to sharing his talents with Florida audiences.
"I dance, sing, hula-hoop -- whatever it takes," said Castner, who will perform songs by the likes of Roy Orbison, Dion and Elvis. "I have always been in love with this business."
From the time he was 6, Castner said, he was a closet dancer, watching Lawrence Welk with his parents every week. Then, when Saturday Night Fever came along in the late '70s, he was ready to go public.
"To practice, I had to buy all the records," he said. "And naturally, I would sing along. It was just sort of natural."
Although local audiences may remember her from the Oy Vey Cabaret, another musical revue that featured local performers, Becker said the new group is much different.
"What's the same is that there are five or six singers. But the similarities end after that," she said. "Here, I'm just one of the singers. I don't try to introduce all the performers as well."
That honor goes to Kimberly Bermel, the group's emcee.
"This group has a very unique balance," said Becker's husband, Roger, who serves as production manager. "It's something people haven't seen in this area before."
Performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Temple Beth David, 13883 Linden Drive, Spring Hill. Tickets are $15. Future shows will be on Sept. 21 at Timber Greens in New Port Richey, on Sept. 28 at St. Michael's Knights of Columbus Hall in Hudson, and on Nov. 15 at the Palace Grand in Spring Hill. For information about any of the shows, call 666-9594 or (727) 697-1322.