Sam Shaber:
Life, Death & Duran Duran
Co-written and directed by
Lynn Ferguson
Life has three guarantees: you're born, you die and if your name is Rio, you dance on the sand. New York indie rocker Sam Shaber was born hungry like the wolf for rock stardom. But what if you never get to join the band? Maybe you grow up to sing about life and death instead.
Awards/Accolades:
2019: Lady Fest at The Tank, NYC – SOLD OUT run
2018: Hollywood Fringe - Hollywood Producers Encore Award
2018: Hollywood Fringe - Pick of the Fringe
2018: Hollywood Fringe - Critics' Choice
2018: Hollywood Fringe - 100% Rating, Better Lemons
2017: Edinburgh Fringe - Pick of the Fringe
2017: Edinburgh Fringe - 5 Stars, British Theatre Guide
About the show:
Sam Shaber shares personal stories and songs about adolescent dreams and finding big love amidst big loss in this hour-long, solo musical featuring 5 songs, 4 acts, 3 deaths, 2 guitars, and 1 tinsel curtain. Each moment of loss is balanced with a vignette of Shaber as her obsessive, pre-teen, Durannie self; piercing her own ear with a push pin, saving her babysitting money to buy presents for her idols, and planning her future as a worldwide rock star. In the end, the people we love become part of us forever, and this is what keeps us dancing on the sand.
Sam Shaber: Life, Death & Duran Duran won Pick of the Fringe and 5-stars in its world premiere at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Pick of the Fringe, Critics' Choice and a Hollywood Producers' Encore Award in its US debut at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival. It just finished up a sold-out run in New York City at The Tank during Lady Fest, 2019.
Rave reviews from the Hollywood Fringe Festival:
Stage Raw
"The trust she puts in her audiences as receivers of her story makes it feel like a privilege to be invited in to listen."
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Broadway World
"A touching tale of love, loss and the power within ourselves to overcome every single challenge and emerge as the person we were always meant to be."
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Indie Voice Blog
"Her songwriting is brilliant, and her musical abilities place her at the top of the indie music scene. She packed the house and truly gave everyone a show they will never forget. We feel so fortunate to have had the privilege of seeing it, and will carry its message in our hearts forever."
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NoHo Arts District
"As she sings her own quite wonderful, intimate and spellbindingly authentic songs between her vivid and beautiful, honest storytelling, she lovingly intertwines Duran Duran’s familiar melodies and lyrics, mixing her life with theirs...Her honest, simple and unfettered performance of what are the deepest pieces of herself is absolutely sublime. Bravo. I think the ‘Duran’ boys would be proud..."
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My Haunt Life
"This will end up being one of my favorite shows of the festival this year. Her winning personality and upbeat outlook on life is truly inspirational. With a beautiful, charismatic presence, we are led down the journey of someone looking for themselves, and finding out they can be so much more than they expected."
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Night Tinted Glasses
"Sam Shaber does a fine job of touching our hearts, and showing us how music can both celebrate joy and help heal our wounds. I felt she gave us a lot of herself in the show, and the honor was all ours."
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Gia on the Move
"Her show is about having gratitude for loved ones, and finding joy in sadness. Her perspective is life-affirming. Highly recommended."
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Rave reviews from the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe:
British Theatre Guide
"*****A winning raconteur. Sam Shaber is a highly intelligent and compelling performer."
Janice Forsyth, BBC Scotland
“What a performer! Life, Death & Duran Duran was one of my highlights of the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe. This show is life-affirming and funny as well as poignant. A must-see.”
The Times
"Shaber displays her bright vocals on her own compositions, switching from electric to folk guitar, often neatly segueing into some of her idols' songs. Shaber's warmth and sincerity mean that the show, while emotionally raw, is never maudlin."
Three Weeks
"The stories are heartfelt and her singing is stunning. She owns the stage when she sings."
The List
"Sam weaves together her life's journeys into a coherent and satisfying whole. Life, Death & Duran Duran is solid storytelling: unapologetic about both its sentimentality and compassion."
Katy Koren, Gilded Balloon
“A beautifully performed and written monologue with incredibly catchy songs, Sam’s show was a joy to have as part of our programme in 2017. We’d love to have her back in the future!”
