Marcia Sings Summer

There must have been something in the water in Boston in the 1960’s. Disco Queen Donna Summers was growing up, and hanging around her house was Marcia Hines, who was a friend of her sister Linda. According to a recent interview the two friends used to raid Donna’s wardrobe.

Hines left for Australia at the age of 16 to appear in the musical Hair, but told the audience she is still in regular contact with Donna’s sibling. This real-life connection was a cute excuse to put on a groovy concert that had patrons up on their feet.

The Concert Hall was shimmering in gold, with larger-than-life 1970s glitter balls on regular rotation.

The opening song was “Hot Stuff”, followed closely by “She Works Hard for Her Money”.

Just as Marcia Hines was dialling down her intensity a few notches, onto the stage burst Casey Donovan. Since winning the second season of Australian Idol, the singer has stamped herself as a musical theatre star with great stamina.

Having them tag team was a great idea.  Casey soared in her upper range for a knockout rendition of “I Love to Love.”   There was a little bit of spicey moaning dropped in, with  Donovan asking her parents in the audience to close their ears.

Casey’s rendition of “I can’t go on” earnt a standing ovation.

Accompanying the two divas was a nine-piece band including an awesome saxophonist, a sparkling trio of singers, guitarists and two drummers who duelled in a duet to the song “Heaven Knows”.

The two divas shared some of their own duets with “This Time I Know It’s For Real” getting the audience on their feet.  “Toot Toot” was very cute and the concert ended with “Enough is Enough”.

The 90-minute one act concert was enough to satisfy the full house in the Concert Hall. Marcia Hines is extending her glittering career by appearing in shows which sparingly use her talent. Marcia Sings Summer was solid gold.

David Spicer

Photographer: Jess Gleeson