April 21 VallejoVacaville Arts and Entertainment Source More Than Meets The Eye - Vallejo Times-Herald

Celebrating the classic television variety shows of yesteryear, The Edwards Twins bring those cherished memories of Hollywood's past back to life in an incredible vintage Las Vegas-style live show and performance that combines the best of movie make up techniques, authentic-looking costumes, and uncanny vocal mimicry.

Coming to Vacaville Thursday with their show "An Evening With The Stars," Anthony and Eddie Edwards -- identical twins -- have been performing together for 35 years now, paying tribute to celebrities including Elton John, Dolly Parton, Sonny and Cher, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel and more.

The two brothers first discovered their talents for imitating voices while they were kids, not only watching TV specials at home but also getting to see programs being made in person.

Anthony Edwards performs as Elton John. (Contributed Photo)

"We were born in Burbank, California, so we were able to see a lot of these shows taped. A lot of the people on our block worked for CBS, NBC," said Anthony Edwards over the phone while on tour.

Those showbiz connections proved invaluable later on once the brothers started their now-famous act, including helping cement two of their key impersonations.

"Our Uncle Jack was a regular on the Sonny and Cher show, he was very instrumental in helping us revitalize and recreate, Sonny and Cher," said Edwards. "Plus Eddie is very good friends with Cher, we've been very blessed with having the opportunity to go firsthand when creating characters."

Although having contacts in Hollywood bolstered their act along the way, the Edwards Twins spent years honing their craft, learning how to look like a celebrity with self-made makeup, absorbing and mastering their stage mannerisms, and above all, recreating their singing voices live, without any lip-syncing.

"The thing is the voices came first. After that, we got into three-dimensional makeup -- it's kind of self-taught, but we learned the basics from some of the best movie makeup artists in Hollywood. You know, creating dentures, creating prosthesis, shadowing, wigs, costuming," said Edwards.

All that effort has clearly paid off, as the brothers tour the world and regularly sell out shows -- all while making fans of the very people they pay tribute to.

"It's such a unique act, It's an identical twin act, it's not a drag show, it's not even an impersonation show," said Edwards. "We're so blessed to be able to have the celebrities come see us and endorse us. They get such a big kick out of it because we are illusionists, where we make you believe that the actual star is on stage."

Hollywood has also taken notice, as Eddie Edwards was featured in an episode of the Netflix show "The Kominsky Method" performing as Barbra Streisand-while watching him sing Alan Arkin's character declared, "He's magnificent!"

The rest of the spring and summer will find The Edwards Twins on tour throughout the United States with their one-of-a-kind show, and the brothers will also be working on a project they hope will elevate their star status even more.

"We've been asked to do several reality shows -- we passed on all of them. We're in the midst of doing something now, Lord willing, if he blesses it, will make us literally a household name," said Edwards. "But you know, I don't get my hopes up about that. If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, you know, it doesn't -- but you have to try."

If You Go:
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, April 21
Where: Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Dr., Vacaville
Cost: $42-$62
For more info:  vpat.net.

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