Tips on Tables - Robert W. Dana - July 9, 1952

Nancy Donovan Graces Revue in Copa Debut

Nancy Donovan returned from London and a 10-week triumph at the Bagatelle just in time to make her Copacabana debut. Joining titian-haired colleen on the bill are a new comedian, Joel Gray; Luxor Galli-Galli, the magician and the dancing Clark Brothers.

Miss Donovan is one of the few singers who can boast she has sung in the the Pierre Cotillion Room, Waldorf-Astoria, Empire Room (formally the Wedgwood Room), Versailles and Bill Miller's Riviera. Adding the Copa after the London success is another link in an interesting career.

Nancy always had the ability even in the early days when she was learning to tone down her strong voice before a microphone. Yes, she's considerably more professional than in the beginning, but she has accepted the polish without changing her natural, refreshing personality.

As she opens "With a Song in my Heart" in a ringside tour with a hand mike, you feel an immediate kin of friendship with the girl. The impression is magnified as she sings "September Song," a French medley, "Big, Wide, Wonderful World" and "I Concentrate on You."

I like best her soulful rendering of "My Yiddische Mama" and a novelty calypso in which she interprets a boy singing the blues at the oceanside. Her only accompaniment on this is the background of the drums beaten by Tony.

Joel Gray is one of the liveliest comedians you'll see in many a day. Only about five feet tall, he dances, sings and gives a triggerlike, off-the-cuff impressions of well-known persons. His most recent memories are of Frankie Laine and Johnnie Ray and he interprets both with skill.

Joel is a natural for pantomime, which he proves in a bit about his mythical girl friend, Gelda, to the music of "Honey Bun." In the course of the number he manages to work in impressions of James Stewart and Billy Daniels.

Luxor Galli-Galli is the Egyptian Magician loaded with baby chicks, which he makes appear and disappear at will. He calls two men from the ringside and has them experience the strange feeling of reaching into pockets for chicks. The act is always good for laughs.