"A penetrating film that provides a sensitive portrait
of a difficult situation at a demanding time in Israel."

Rob Garrett: "Neil Diamond

has been my full-time career

for the past 17 years."

Eric Goldman,

N /Jewish News

"Touching, thoughtful and heartbreaking."

Lisa Nesselson, Screen Daily

COHEN MEDIA GROUP PRESENtr -'

Performer brings his one-man
Neil Diamond tribute show to Berman.

auditioned before Paul Revere of Paul
Revere & the Raiders to do the Legends
show in Hawaii. Although that was to
be a three-month engagement, it lasted
ob Garrett didn't start his
three years.
career aiming to be a Neil
After sticking with Legends for a
Diamond tribute artist, but
couple of years in Vegas, Garrett took
that's what happened.
the tribute on the road in his own pro-
Garrett, born into a Jewish family in
duction.
New York, just as Diamond was decades
"I obtained every video of Neil
earlier, simply wanted to perform as a
Diamond I could get my hands on:' he
singer-guitarist and enjoyed many years
says of the way the act developed. "It
being himself on stage.
wasn't just the voice. I had to work on
It was only after others mentioned
the mannerisms. I studied like an actor
that he sounded and looked like
taking on a role, like a scientist studying
Diamond that Garrett auditioned for
an atom."
a Legends in Concert production and
Besides regularly working at the
launched a new career direction.
Cannery Casino in what has become
Garrett, who developed the stage
Garrett's hometown, he has appeared
show The King of Diamonds, appears
across the country and as far away as
Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Berman Center
Berlin and Bermuda. In 2008, he was
for the Performing Arts in the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield in named Male Musical Tribute Artist of
the year by the Entertainment Network
Neil Diamond: Tribute From Las Vegas.
in Las Vegas.
"This will be a 90-minute show, and
"I've never met Neil Diamond, but I
we'll cover the Diamond hits, including
know he's familiar with me:' says Garrett,
`Sweet Caroline', America and (Cracklin'
who changed his last name from Gerstein
Rosie,r" explains Garrett, in a phone con-
with the advice of his mom, who played
versation from his Las Vegas home. "It
piano and taught ballroom dancing.
will be a one-man performance with the
"When I do my full-band shows, one of
background music on track."
my backup singers is Elisia Tutt, daughter
Garrett, about 30 years younger than
of Ron Tutt, Diamond's longtime drum-
Diamond, will dress in the same kind of
mer and former Elvis drummer."
glitz Diamond wore in earlier times.
Garrett, divorced and with a daugh-
"Neil Diamond has been my full-time
ter in college, is showing his talents
career for the past 17 years:' Garrett
around Michigan — Grand Rapids,
says. "He's loved all over the country,
Battle Creek and South Haven. Away
and there's no demographic that doesn't
from work, he likes to experiment with
like him."
the computer.
Garrett jump-started his career in
"I remember telling my mom that I was
Vegas surrounded by family.
"In 1974, my dad got a job opportunity becoming Neil Diamond instead of a doc-
tor or a lawyer;' he says. "Her answer was,
in the city so we moved:' he recalls. "I
`That's almost as good!"'
was just learning to play the guitar and
was thrilled because of all the live enter-
tainment. I had already been to the area
Rob Garrett appears in Neil
on a family vacation.
Diamond: Tribute From Las Vegas
"In 1980, I started my own cover band,
at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the
Rock 'n Roll Heaven, and I had that band
Berman Center for the Performing
for 15 years. I was the lead singer and did
Arts in the Jewish Community
a lot of Neil Diamond numbers because
Center in West Bloomfield. $35-
he was one of my favorites."
$45. (248) 661-1900. www.
With the comments about the similar-
theberman.org .
ity between the two entertainers, Garrett

e other son

In Tel Aviv
United by understanding
Two families divided by fate

Suzanne Chessler

Contributing Writer

PG-13 I PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED

WATCH THE TRAILER AT

Some Materiel thy Be Inepproodste is Children tinder 13 in

R

COHENMEDIA.NET

FOR A SCENE Of VIOLENCE, BRIEF LANGUAGE AND DRUG USE

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October 18 e 2012

55