Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Known for her powerful vocals and dynamic stage personality, Puerto Vallarta’s favorite songstress, Diana Villamonte, returns to ACT2PV with a brand-new show, “Diana Sings Ross.” Singing some of Diana Ross’ most famous hits every Monday at 7:00 pm, Diana will dazzle you with her talent.
Puerto Vallarta entertainment writer Gary R. Beck, who attended a recent performance in Act2PV’s new Starlight Cabaret, tells us more about this not-to-be-missed show:
Act2PV’s superstar Diana Villamonte devotes an entire show to one of her idols, Diana Ross, who started with The Supremes then broke off to her wide-ranging career in song, television, stage, concerts and movies, notably Lady Sings The Blues, Mahogany and The Wiz. This marks Diana’s first presentation of the musical legend, Diana Ross, the Queen of Motown, R&B, soul and pop music.
“Every show has a different vibe” and tonight’s was high up in the stars above. Diana jumped to the beginnings, the early Supremes days with the group’s number one hits from a string of six consecutive ones in 1964-1965, first with the awesome “Where Did Our Love Go” and then the sweet “Baby Love.” The crowd was swaying with the delightfully energetic music and the memories.
The ladies on stage opened up the show with chords from “I’m Coming Out” and then Diana appeared in a silvery shimmering skintight pants/top combo looking glamorous as always. She called out, “You know this one” and bounced into “You Can’t Hurry Love”. Almost the entire audience expressed to her that they had been to one of her shows before. That is drawing power.
Diana was accompanied by Isa Zuleta on the house red piano and two very fine backup singers, Losanna Diaz and Georgina Ramirez, who sang more than just “oohs” and “aahs”. They are established experienced singers adding timely musical notes to the melody.
“This is a dream come true. I have gone eight months without singing!” Diana exclaimed, and the sheer joy of the event was seen in her eyes and smile. She is gifted with an intense vocal power and wide range. Her ability to bring out the emotion of a song is evident when she tackles a ballad and tonight she gave a marvelous “Do You Know Where You’re Going To [Theme from Mahogany]” and “Touch Me in the Morning”. She spiraled around the high notes, holding for emphasis.
The Supremes disbanded in 1969 but their final song spoke hopefully of the future: “Someday We’ll Be Together” although the song was recorded by Diana and two backup singers. When our Diana sang “Missing You,” the background video screen showed Ms. Ross with Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye, two close friends she had lost.
Throughout the evening, several screens displayed a flow of B&W photo clips of Diana with and without the Supremes. The pictures were sentimentally enthralling and accented the show to a vast degree.
While Diana scampered offstage for a quick obligatory dress change, the three ladies performed the long intro to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and on cue, Diana enters singing the title line and flows into the entire classic composition. Then, her dance mode came to the forefront with “Upside Down” and its strong beat. “Love Hangover” continued the fervent dance sound which she perfected in many ways.
Diana slowed the evening way down with the extremely lovely “If We Hold on Together”. This offering was most likely her best vocals and music of the evening. “Dreams see us through to forever, where clouds roll by For you and I.” In her voice and with her body, she exuded emotions of the love.
Then, The Supremes returned with “Stop! In the Name of Love” marked by the two singers using their arms and palms displaying Stop! behind Diana singing lead. This was a characterization of the group’s performance whenever on stage.
“Reach Out and Touch [Somebody’s Hand]” streamed into anyone who remembered this tune with its demand for human contact. The chorus was addictive. Diana sings Ross required the masterful “Endless Love,” which Miss Ross recorded with Lionel Ritchie, with music delicate and creamy. This is a song for weddings.
Motown did not shield Diana Ross from the social turbulence of the day and “Love Child” dealt with one-parent homes. The result was an emphatic call for acceptance and change which Diana delivered from her heart.
The clock expired way too soon and Diana sent everyone on their way with her declaration “The Boss” – “Love taught me who was the boss”. With her new show initiated, she has many thoughts for changes and additions, so all her followers will enjoy several visits to the new Starlight Cabaret to absorb the Lady of Puerto Vallarta, our love, Diana Villamonte.
For more Puerto Vallarta show reviews, visit Gary’s More of Beck’s Best: Theater, Cabaret and More! page on Facebook.
A Note from Act2PV Founding Partner, Danny Mininni
“As the world navigates its way through the changes that have occurred recently, Act2PV is very serious about protecting our clients, our staff and our entertainers!In addition to observing all governmental requirements (masks required, hand sanitizers, feet sanitizers, temperatures taken, etc.), Act2PV has implemented extra safety measures in our Main Stage theater, including ozone purifiers, ozone disinfectors, air purifiers and heppa filters. We will also be operating at 25% capacity, with some seats blocked off in order to follow governmental social distancing requirements. Your well-being is our #1 priority! Come, and enjoy our wonderful shows UNDER THE STARS.”
Tickets to all shows can be purchased online at Act2PV.com, or at the box office, which is open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
The Act2PV Entertainment complex is located on the corner of Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo on the South side of Puerto Vallarta. For more information, call (322) 222-1512, or follow Act II on Facebook. Click HERE to see what else is playing at Act2PV.
