BEST LAMB CHOPS IN TOWN RESTAURANT PRIVATE DINING ROOM Streisand, Cher impersonators take the stage at the Andiamo Novi Theatre this weekend. FULL BAR FULLSERVICE CATERING DINNER SPECIAL Negrin, whose special interests include horses and dogs, enjoys the travel that is part of her stage entertainment. "My impersonation of Cher gives audiences the feeling they are hang- ing out with her," says Negrin, who is single and considerably young- er than the singer she portrays. "A lot of what I do is interactive, and it can seem as if people are in Cher's home." Owens, who considers her work more theatri- cal and compares it to Streisand portraying Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, says her favorite part of the show is the Yenti medley because she is reminded of her late father. "Lissa and I represent two of the greatest divas of our century per- forming together although Cher and Barbra never did," says Owens, over the phone from her Nevada home. "We kind of pick on each other because Cher had a lot of plastic sur- gery and Barbra didn't. There will be a lot of joking." Owens, who started singing when she was 9, worked professionally for a year after finishing high school, touring fairs with a group of sing- ers. She opened with her group of performers for such acts as the Mandrell Sisters, Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. After studying vocal music at the University of South Florida and earning a master's in education from Chapman University in California, she divided her time between teach- ing voice and singing in nightclubs as herself. After asking to do a comedic ver- sion of a Streisand song, Owens was advised to become a tribute artist and soon found work with Legends CHILDRENS MENU $4.95 STARTING AT RECEIVE 10% Off 12.95 'NCLUDES BREAD Total Food Bill BASKET & SOUP Dine-in only. Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. Expires 1 0/1 5/1 2. Excludes Lamb Chops PARTY TRAYS AVAILABLE RECEIVE 10% Off Total Food Bill Dine-in only. Not valid with Specials. Not valid with any other offers. With coupon. I Expires 10/15/12. Excludes Lamb Chops — — — — -a 4301 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD I CROSSWINDS PLAZA 2 4 8- 5 38-6000 in Concert a Las Vegas production featuring live musical tributes to the superstars of yesterday and today — before teaming up with Negrin. "I've never met Barbra, but I'm grateful to her career because that has allowed me to work as an artist," says Owens, who also appears with Sebastian Anzaldo for Streisand- Sinatra concerts. "I get to use my vocal ability." As an impersonator, Owens spe- cializes only in Streisand and has many copies of her clothes. As much as Owens enjoys performing, she hopes to have teaching opportunities again. Owens, now a single mom with two teenage sons and a sister, Robin Bergsma of northern Michigan, gets her Jewish heritage from her mother's family. Raised with two religions, she sent her sons to Jewish schools when they were beginning formal education and takes them to synagogue. "I'm 45," says Owens, whose hobby is planting a vegetable garden. "I think I look pretty good for 70 (Barbra's age):' — ❑ The Barbra Streisand and Cher Tribute runs Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 8-9, at the Andiamo Novi Theatre, 42705 Grand River. Performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. $20 for each show-only ticket/$69.95 for dinner (beginning two hours before curtain) and show for two. (248) 348-3838; www.andiamoitalia.com . SPOSITNS RISTORANTE Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere ____ hur Sunday Thursday LAST PETITE FILET DINNER SPECIAL HAPPENS SEPT. 9TH - 13TH 15% OFF TOTAL FOOD BILL - OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! ° 10% off on Fri and Sat (248) 538-8954 oner Not goo a with any of Good with coupon. Expires 10/15/12 Excluded for the holidays 33210 W. 14 Mile Rd In Simsbury Plaza, just east of Farmington Rd. West Bloomfield Fa sa.cremmazsmasai a= A Mon-Thurs: 4pm-10pm • Fri: 11am-11pm Sat: 4pm-11pm • Sun: 4pm-9pm September 6 • 20i2 T-E3. 35