Carol Fox Prescott with her great panache brings to life the story of Sophie Tucker and her on going tenacity to maintain “family ties and Jewish roots while she trail blazes her way into the world as a major star in American show business”. Carol can sing and engages the audience with her enchanting delivery of a young Sophie right up to a very active 81 year old. Her seamless transition of Sophie’s intricate lives keeps the audience wanting to hear more of this inspirational performer. One song in particular left this reviewer so captivated by her sheer grace as she covered the stage so beautifully making it feel as if you were reliving one of Sophie’s live shows.
This opening weekend of the London Fringe Festival review has been posted on behalf of
Theatre in London.ca
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To Whom It May Concern:
Carol Fox Prescott is a compelling, charismatic and delightful performer, and I am writing to enthusiastically recommend her new one-woman show, in which she brings to life the great Jewish American singer Sophie Tucker. With her amazingly talented Musical Director Edward Strauss at the piano, Carol performed recently to a full house at our congregation, and received a deserved standing ovation. The program is especially fitting for Jewish communities, as Carol narrates highlights of Sophie Tucker's Jewish roots and identity, and sings Sophie Tucker's signature Jewish songs. The show thus becomes a delightful musical journey, a fascinating narrative of the American Jewish experience, and a portrait of a fiercely independent woman who was ahead of her time in her determination to live life entirely on her own terms.
This was a moving, entertaining, educational and all-around successful show. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Woodstock, NY
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The response of our audience to Some of These Days was wild.
That night we had a mix of synagogue members, local theatre folk, and people who were interested in Sophie Tucker as a Jewish, feminist, historical, or artistic phenomenon. Some people had seen Sophie Tucker live; some remembered her from the Ed Sullivan show; others only knew her name from Bette Midler jokes.
Even before Carol had finished the last song, the whole group rose as one, cheering and applauding. Everyone was aware that this was an extraordinary experience, not among Jewish community events (although it certainly was), but among musical and theatrical performances of a lifetime. Carol has an ability, unique to great artists, to hold an audience captive. Her whole being is alive with energy and her voice rings out with tremendous power, even in a moment when she stands motionless on the stage. Sophie's story and Sophie's songs were given great kavod by Carol's performance, accompanied in swinging style by Eddie Strauss. It's a performance everyone should see and hear.
Rabbi David Dunn Bauer
Jewish Community of Amherst
Amherst, MA
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Dear Carol:
Just a quick note to thank you for your magnificent presentation last month. Sophie has never been so alive and radiant as in your wonderful tribute to her life and music. The responses from both our congregants and regular Kol Hashamayim series attendees ranged from thrilled to ecstatic; and I personally enjoyed the great warmth and love you brought to your interpretation. In your performance, we were able to experience the warmth, humor, and humanity of this extraordinary human being. Thank you for an afternoon that endeared all of us to not only Sophie, but to you and your brilliant musical partner, Eddie. The two of you are an incredible team. Bravo!
We hope that you are able to bring this wonderful theatrical gem to many more people, and particularly to younger generations who could be inspired by her interesting life, and convictions.
Best of luck for the future; and again, our deepest gratitude.
Fondly,
Cantor Mark Saltzman
Congregation Kol Ami
West Hollywood, CA
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Dear Carol,
I want to let you know how much I thoroughly enjoyed your show. It was funny, touching and moving. You brilliantly captured Sophie Tucker's spirit and joie-de-vivre. This tribute revealed the intensely personal and lyrical energy that was Sophie Tucker. It was an absolute pleasure watching the show, listening to you tell stories of Sophie's life, and hearing you sing the hell out of her songs!
All my best,
Adam Shulman
The Firm
Beverly Hills, CA
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Carol's Performance left this reviewer so captivated by her sheer grace as she covered the stage so beautifully making it feel as if you were reliving one of Sophie’s live shows.
www.Theatre in London.ca
"Carol Fox Prescott is a compelling, charismatic and delightful performer"
Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Woodstock, NY
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"Even before Carol had finished the last song, the whole group rose as one, cheering and applauding. Everyone was aware that this was an extraordinary experience"
Rabbi David Dunn Bauer
Jewish Community of Amherst
Amherst, MA
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Dear Carol,
When people watch a musician who is in ecstasy because he enjoys playing, they share in the joy. When Carol Fox Prescott performs songs and skits from the great Jewish singer-comedienne, Sophie Tucker, she revels in the joy of her experience; and watching her, we're thrilled, because we share in her joy. Carol Fox Prescott is one of the best Jewish singer-comediennes since Sophie Tucker, and in her lively and juicy performance, we relish Sophie's songs and laugh at Sophie's jokes. Together with some Jewishness and spirituality that's more than enough to give an audience, as it gave me, a fine time, a fun time, a happy time.
Maggid Yitzhak Buxbaum
The Jewish Spirit Journal
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Dear Carol,
I would like to thank you for the performance you gave at our Major Gifts Event this month. Your tribute to Sophie Tucker was as entertaining as it was informative. Not only do you bring vibrancy and life to the music that Sophie made popular, but your presentation reminds people of Sophie's Jewish connection and philanthropy, inspiring them to be generous now as she was then.
Your talents are a gift to those who have the opportunity to see and hear you perform. Thank you for bringing Sophie Tucker back to life and for enlivening this important event for us.
Bonnie Meadow
Executive Director
Jewish Federation of Dutchess County
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To whom it may concern,
Our Second Annual Chocolate Lovers Evening could not have had a better venue than Some of These Days, as conceived and performed by Carol Fox Prescott.
Our full house enthusiastically entered Sophie's Tucker's world. I noticed people moving to the music, wiping tears of joy and remembrance, smiling and laughing.
Audience feedback ranged from expressions of awe at the range of Carol Fox Prescott's voice to appreciation for allowing us to transport them to a time that they had forgotten. Some of our guests visited their childhood, while others recalled stories they had heard over the years.
No one left that evening unmoved. It was a celebration of life - Sophie's, as well as. our own.
Thank you for bringing this very special theatrical experience to our Temple social hall. We recommend your show to any group that wants to offer something truly unique to their audience.
Carmel L. Gold, President
Temple Emanuel Sisterhood
Kingston, NY
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To whom it may concern,
I loved every minute of Some of these Days! Watching Carol perform is an absolute delight. She is present and alive every moment, and connects with her audience in a way that is both compassionate and challenging. I came away inspired to learn more about Judaism and Sophie Tucker and other pioneering women who were brave enough to pave the way for my generation of performers. Mostly I walked away hungry to make art in a way that is authentic to me, which is always Carol’s greatest gift. I recommend Some of these Days to anyone who wants to be awakened to their own history, taken down memory lane, or inspired to live big or go home!
Steven Hack
Audience member Congregation Kol Ami
Los Angeles, CA
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Dear Carol,
Thank you again for that stellar performance. Your voice was in magnificent form and I loved the story line you wove. Yes, you created a mishkan and I was there with you. So was my Mom. The evening delighted and invigorated her. She kept saying how pleased she was for making the effort to get there after a tiring day visiting 2 doctors.
Meg Gerson
NYC Public Schools
New York, NY
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Dear Carol,
First off I must tell you how much better I felt after your performance. As I told Tsurah as I was leaving, if I could bottle what Carol put out tonight I would heal completely. I had thought that I had some measure of your talent before tonight. I am happy to say that despite having loved everything I had ever seen you do, I didn't have a clue. You were beyond fabulous. Eddie's so, so alive musicianship was evident from the first phrase that he so seemingly effortlessly created. The way that you listened to and worked off each other was reminiscent of chamber and jazz musicians of the highest order. I am so glad that I insisted on coming despite feeling that I badly needed to nap. Once upon a time, Sophie was the last of the red hot mommas, now CFP is one hot, HOT momma!
Thanks, love and congratulations,
Rob
Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Woodstock, NY
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To whom it may concern,
"I was inspired, profoundly touched and moved to the point that I immediately new how lucky I was to have been in that room! I want to say Thank You for everything Carol and next time you perform, please, save me a seat! "
Ryan Cross
Congregation Kol Ami
Lost Angeles, CA
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Dear Carol,
Congratulations! It was a great pleasure to be in the audience for your Sophie Concert on Saturday evening. The Woodstock Jewish Congregation became a cafe where everyone enjoyed the performance. It was wonderful to see such a large, enthusiastic group. I loved the way you told the story of Sophie Tucker's life, her struggles and her successes and weaved the songs into the tale. Thank you for your beautiful and touching songs, and for making this artist come to life for all of us. Your enthusiasm for Sophie and your love for Jewish music and culture came shining through. Thank you and all my best wishes for your future success,
Love,
Julia Boylan
Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Woodstock, NY
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Hi Carol -
It was such a highly emotional weekend for me. I found myself on Saturday night, not able to sleep, processing everything. I was so deeply affected by the show on many levels. But there was something that I couldn't quite put my finger on. On Sunday afternoon, I realized. For the first time in a LONG time, I felt pride in being an American. There was a universality about Sophie's life that spoke to me, while still understanding how unique and groundbreaking her career was. What I learned about her Saturday reminded me of the truly very best part of America. I've always cherished the stories of my direct ancestors, what they went through to get here. Their courage and contributions. My great-grandfather running his vegetable store, or how hard my great-grandmother worked to speak English well, or the pride my grandfather had in being one of the first UPS workers... I still have his watch for good service ,etc, etc. I have often turned to thoughts of them, when I've felt off track and I am always moved by what they did for me. I think stories of immigrants and first generation Americans and how they defined themselves are so essential right now. I've been realizing more and more of late how I and others around me feel in a rut about the seemingly constant news of death, destruction, corruption. I have not been feeling very prideful of my country. Listening to Sophie's story helped remind me of an ever changing America. Her voice helped define even more for me an era that I've long fantasized about. Give me one of those suitcases with all the destination stickers, put me on a train to the next house, give me a top hat and cane, a bow-tie...wow, my heart's a flutter!
In addition to all that -- after the show, Joanne asked what is it like seeing your teacher up there. After I burst into the tears I was holding from your last song, I said it was an amazing and wonderful thing. I told her I met you when I was 18 and remarked how life is so interesting and what it brings. I was so happy that Harry and Joanne and Mary were there with me. They had such a great evening. Harry said how dazzling beautiful you looked, Joanne wants to steal the "Thin" song and Mary wants to convert to Judaism. We were all so touched by the Rabbi's blessing before and his songs with you.
I'm going on and on. THANK YOU. And, many thanks to Eddie and Stephen and the Rabbi and everyone else. Wonderful memories and entertainment and lessons --
Love -
Richard De Genaro
Audience Member
78th Street Theater Lab
New York, NY
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Dear Carol,
Your words were just perfect and the joy you felt and expressed was deeply shared by those lucky enough to have been
present. Our gratitude goes out to you and your excellent accompanist. The evening tingled and you were just right--relaxed,
enthusiastic and in command.
Love,
Marty Laforce
Woodstock Jewish Congregation
Woodstock, NY
Dear Carol,
I want you to know how truly and deeply I loved your show. I had the unique pleasure of sitting right up front, where I could awe at every little detail. The truth is, it is hard for me to put my finger on exactly why it moved me so. I do know that I believed every word you sang, as if they were your own, my own, and Sophie's all at once. As you began to tear up while singing Yidishe Mama, "How her pleasures were so few, her pleasures she found in her children's smiles." I couldn't help but see the parallels between the Yidishe Mama and you. All of these years, channeling that explosive performer into your teaching, was almost as if you were finding your pleasure in your students smiles. We thank you for that, however it is obvious to any who have had the fortune of seeing this show, that it is time for you to begin the next chapter, Carol Fox Prescott, performer, once again. Welcome back Ms. Prescott.
With much love, awe and gratitude.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Haag
Audience Member
New York, NY
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Dear Carol,
I have been thinking over and over about your performance of Sophie Tucker's songs. It was a kind of revelation for me. When I was a child, my parents would watch her when she appeared on television. Their reaction to her was mysterious to me. To me, she was a loud, old-fashioned, old woman. To them there was clearly something scandalously wonderful about her. Although their taste generally ran to classical music, there was a pleasure they took in her performance, a pleasure they took in her persona, which I could not understand. Now I understand. You brought her to life and put her in a context where being boldly Jewish and sexy and outspoken and glamorous without ordinary beauty was riveting, especially to those who were maybe less boldly Jewish and sexy and outspoken and glamorous. And you let me appreciate the wit and deep feeling of the songs she sang. It was a marvelous performance. I thank you.
Yours,
Naomi Rothberg
Audience Member
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Falls Village, CT
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Dear Carol,
It's FANTASTIC to hear you embracing a woman who (clearly) embraces you so fondly. What a connection you found with this dream! Just astounded at the vocal transformation. You are a perpetual wonderment.
Would you like to do a segment on the radio show? It's probably overdue don't you think? We can tee it up 'tout suite'! Let me know.
Can't wait to see you next year.
My love,
WILL
WILL CONYERS
Host, BROADWAY AT BEDTIME in Melbourne, Australia ON JOY 94.9
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Dear Carol,
I wanted to tell you how much I loved "Some of These Days" and how happy it made me to hear you sing and see you sparkle with songs that seemed to have been written for you and you alone. Who else could bring me to tears by singing so sweetly and reverently, "My Yiddishe Mama", and in an instant make me laugh out loud with a throaty belt of, "I'm the Last of the Red Hot Mamas" but a passionate, multifaceted, and sassy Jewish chanteuse?!. It's as if Sophie Tucker lived to give you the opportunity to express your creativity and passion to the world!
The show delighted me on so many levels. The music is beautiful. The songs are intelligent and varied: they're funny and heartbreaking and political and funny again! The story line you developed around Sophie Tucker -- a courageous and spirited Jewish feminist who used her music to help those around her -- is fascinating and relevant. Most of all, though, your lovely voice and the exuberance and joy that you express so completely when you sing is what is so infectious to your audience and what moved me most deeply.
Time and again, you have inspired me with your generosity of expression, your passion and your sparkle. These demonstrations, however, gave me only a hint of the force and passion that I experienced in your performance of "Some of These Days."
Thank you for this wonderful gift.
All my love,
Claudia Gross
Audience Member
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