Show Reviews
Tribute to Famous Women featuring the amazing Karen Grainger
sarniarocks.com
April 30, 2004
Syliva and I headed out to Hiawatha Friday Night to see what we thought was a tribute to 3 Stars: Cher, Reba and Celine. Cher was the big draw for me as I remember many school nights begging my Mom to let me stay up to watch Sonny & Cher on television.
Karen stood centre stage with two tables of wigs/coats/props and entertained us for 1 1/2 hours non stop! From my memory alone she impersonated Celine, Cher, Reba, Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Sinead O'Connor, Alanis Morrisette, Dolly Parton, Tracy Chapman, Shania Twain, Tina Turner, Julie Andrews plus Neil Young, Joe Cocker Michael Bolton, Kermit the Frog & Miss Piggy. I knew 95% of the songs and her voice was so amazing I could close my eyes during any of the female stars and think it was real. She sang these people's strongest most challenging songs and made the notes.
She also did a funny little show. She got three people from the audience to sit in chairs in a row on the stage and she stood behind them. She then gave them instructions to open their mouths when she bonked on the top of their heads or act like a head banger if she bonked them on the shoulder. She had two blown up balls on her hands that made her arms look almost like sledge hammers. Then they played Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and she proceeded to bonk them to the music and they did the actions. The crowd was killing themselves laughing, myself included!
Next time Karen comes to town I will be first in line to see her. She was totally awesome and very talented!
Reba double gives 'em something to talk about in Divas Live extravaganza
Kitchener Record,
Saturday April 5, 2003
By Claudelle Boudreau
Karen Grainger doesn't mind being mistaken for someone else when she's performing onstage. To her, it's the best compliment. That's because Grainger makes her living as a professional impersonator. The 36-year-old Rockwood resident is a woman on a mission - an entertainment mission. From her first taste of show business at the age of six, when she appeared on a talent show, to a career impersonating some of music's best-loved performers in venues across the world, Grainger has certainly come a long way.
Like most entertainers, Grainger has struggled behind the scenes through heart-wrenching auditions, been turned down for coveted gigs and had her share of shows that weren't up to par. Throughout, she refused to give up. That ambition and hard work have paid off. Her Divas Live show is an entertainment extravaganza. In addition to impersonating much-loved divas Reba McEntire, Cher and Celine Dion, Grainger also incorporates her singing talents with comic impressions. "The whole performance is a sort of culmination of everything I've done during my career," she says.
Although she started out hoping to make it as a recording artist, her career took a path of its own. "We were doing back-up for a Legends show and I did Reba's 'Why Haven't I Heard From You?'," she says. "I don't know how many people said 'If you had red hair, you'd be Reba.' It was so strange because I wasn't even trying to imitate her. "Those comments sparked some thought and rehearsals and Grainger soon decided to get into costume. With a red Reba wig, glitzy country apparel and months of vocal training, she got an agent and became part of the Las Vegas group, Legends In Concert.Her stint with Legends and similarly produced shows included gigs around the world from Branson, Missouri and Shreveport, Louisiana to Atsugi, Japan and Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia.
Although Grainger loved the variety, last year's gruelling schedule meant spending eight months of the year on the road. So she created her own shows - Divas Live and All In One - to allow her to work closer to home.Co-written by comedian Larry Horowitz (co-founder of Yuk Yuk's Comedy Club), the All In One Show is refreshing. Accompanied by her band, Grainger uses a variety of props for visual and vocal illusions. Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and Julie Andrews are just some of the "guests" who visit during the show. There are also "a few good men" - among them Joe Cocker, Michael Bolton, Johnny Mathis and Barney Fife.
"I didn't even know I could do comedy but I'm doing it and I love it," Grainger says. "I love working the crowd. I love being a crazy fool and getting people to relax and laugh."
When not onstage living out the voices and mannerisms of celebrity characters, Grainger enjoys life in Rockwood with husband Don, a fire-prevention officer, and two dogs and a cat.Don also plays a big role in her work - consulting, writing and helping to fine-tune the act. "He's my biggest critic and my biggest supporter," she says. "I definitely wouldn't be here without him."
Grainger also draws on a huge support of friends and family (her mom and sister are among her biggest fans). "I'm lucky. I am making a living doing something I love to do. I'm happy."
In character - but which one?
Windsor Star,
Thursday March 15, 2001
Karen Grainger is the most famous singing star you'll never meet.Grainger's talents for mimicry have taken her around the world and kept her working as much as she wants. Yet nobody recognizes her on the street, not even if they were applauding her the night before at Casino Windsor where she spent nearly three months entertaining last year.
Ten years ago, she began to think her vocal quartet might not make the big time. They could sing Manhattan Transfer harmonies, and had put out an album of Christmas music, but the work wasn't coming except as back-ups, including a Legends show. "I've always been a mimic, but it was never my dream to become an impersonator," she says now.
As animated in person as on stage, she does not suggest Cher at all. When the lights go down and the wig goes on, however, that nasal hook in the voice and shoot-from-the-hip jibes bring the Cher personality to full heat, if not full height.
The energy and research - and yes, a big voice-have taken her on international tours including Japan and the obscure Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, devoted to the U.S. Air Force, where she entertained the troops.
Karen's a Legend in your mind
The Mississauga News
Wednesday October 28, 1998
By Tom Michibata
Mississauga singer Karen Grainger doesn't profess to be Celine Dion. But audiences who have watched the 32-year-old Grainger imitate the Canadian superstar during the Legends In Concert show at the Legends Theatre in Toronto have certainly been impressed. Her performances have been earning standing ovations.
Grainger never tires of honing her Celine impressions because of the passion the French Canadian superstar brings to the stage and because of her dynamic vocal range. "It's always new for me," said Grainger. "I've picked a character that I can really sink my teeth into. It's never boring because there are so many songs to choose from. "I practice every day and watch her moves and characteristics on her videos. She is very passionate on stage. She wears her emotions on her face."