Hi Friends!
What did you do as a child?
Most people answer that question with memories of playing on rec sports teams, starting an art class, learning multiplication tables, perhaps doing their first musical. But how many people in the world can say, “Performed on Broadway”, “created my own cabaret show”, and “recorded a CD”?
Impressively enough, the Shapiro sisters can. Abigail and Milly Shapiro, two sisters from Tampa, recently starred on Broadway, with Abigail playing Cindy Lou in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Milly as one of four original Matilda’s from Matilda the Musical. But recently, they’ve taken performing into their hands and have crafted a cabaret show at 54 Below that shares with the audience more of who they are.
The show, titled “Live Out Loud!”, with musical direction by Michael Moritz and direction by Deborah Kym, included a wide repertoire, opening with the sisters walking onto the stage singing, appropriately, “Live Out Loud” from A Little Princess. Throughout the show, we learned more and more about the sisters as they sung their way and stole the audience’s hearts through classic Broadway tunes, like “Gimme Gimme” from Thoroughly Modern Millie, and contemporary favorites like “What Is This Feeling?” from Wicked. Also from Wicked, the sisters performed a hilarious version of “Popular” with Broadway actor Ben Thompson, who was last seen in Holler if Ya Hear Me and Matilda the Musical. Also performing that night was Laura Osnes, who lit up the stage alongside the sisters in redone spins on classics like “In My Own Little Corner”.
Abigail and Milly have incredible voices and acting abilities – Abigail in particular, showed off her impeccable comedy chops in a “grumpy cat” version of “Part of Your World”. Milly brought down the house with her clear, high belt: her “Let It Go” (Disney’s Frozen) gave Idina a run for her money. Whereas Abigail lit up the crowd with her comedic timing, Milly had a soulful air that showed wisdom beyond her years.
The show ended with a powerhouse performance of “I Will Never Leave You”, a song that made us want to cast the upcoming Side Show revival with these sisters immediately. And just as it seemed like the show was ending, the sisters stopped to accompany themselves on the piano in an original song, touchingly dedicated to their grandmother who recently passed away.
In all, the sisters show so much promise as not only performers, but as sweet and dedicated young girls. It definitely won’t be long until they have another project on their hands!
If you missed the cabaret show, you can purchase their CD Live Out Loud: Live at 54 Below. Until then, you can learn more about the sisters on their website www.shapirosisters.com and also on their Twitter feed, @shapirosisters.
Live, Love, Learn,