Anyone who has made it in Hollywood or on Broadway has a story to tell about what struggles had to be overcome in order to succeed. Following sold-out performances this past summer I’M NOT FAMOUS, in which petite bombshell Barbara Minus shares her unlikely story of her rise to fame, has returned to Santa Monica Playhouse through Nov. 26 on Sundays only at 7:30 p.m.
She’s had what most performers would consider an enviable career as an accomplished singer, making her show business memoir a wonderfully musical one with her keyboards accompanist Ron Barnett.
Minkus’ road hasn’t always been an easy one. She faced physical as well as emotional challenges early in her life when she had to conceal her stage mother’s ongoing infidelities while dealing with her father’s major department store, Leslie’s, taking up most of his time. She was tormented and taunted for years by her family and other students for being overweight, blaming her loneliness and lack of acceptance as the cause for going to food for the emotional comfort lacking anywhere else.
Each of her described family occasions and career moves included a multimedia presentation, designed by James Cooper, of Minkus’ personal photos and videos during each of her tales, making her stories come to life even more realistically.
While a student at Roosevelt High in Chicago, Minkus longed to perform opera, but found her audiences steering her in the direction of musical comedy. After gaining a foothold in national media, she worked with many show business greats, appearing 25 times as a raconteur and singer on “The Merv Griffin Show,” on TV with Danny Kaye and Jerry Lewis, as well as on 27 episodes of Love, American Style as a variety of characters and her biggest stage success in the touring company of Funny Girl (as Fanny Brice).
She also had roles in nine feature films. Oh, the stories she can tell!
After many years of love eluding her (“The Man Who Got Away”), true love found its way into Minkus’ life via a blind date with Albert, “a man so handsome that when I went to meet him, I waited around for an hour for some other regular guy” to walk in.
After all, she thought, how could this gorgeous man at the other end of the bar be here waiting for me? But he was, and the two laughed about how they were both waiting for someone else before finally introducing themselves to each other.
And after sharing tales of their lives and careers for two hours, the deal (and marriage) was sealed. Joy followed heartbreak until her two beautiful daughters arrived and completed their family.
I thoroughly enjoyed each of her stories and especially listening to her lovely voice sharing songs from her many years performing, including her favorite “Get Happy” which opens every one of her performances, often mimicking Judy Garland’s vibrato to a tee. Her comedic gem of a song about always getting the neck of the chicken had the audiences in stitches. So if you like show business stories with great musical numbers and insider anecdotes, then “I’m Not Famous,” directed and co-written by Susan Morgenstern, will entertain you with a fabulous trip down memory lane!
“I’m Not Famous” performances continue at the Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth Street, Santa Monica on Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. through Nov. 26. Parking is available (fee charged) in a municipal parking structure directly across the street. Tickets are $30 with discounts available for seniors, students, teachers, active members of the military and groups of 8 or more. Reservations may be made by calling 310-394-9779 ext. 1, or online at SantaMonicaPlayhouse. com/im-not-famous.html
