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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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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