Jimmy James :: Posing for Cameras

Since leaving Provincetown, Jimmy James the impersonator has become Jimmy James the performance artist. What's the difference? After performing for 17 summers (since 1986), James was considered by some the longest running, most successful show in modern Provincetown history? In 1993, he then left to pursue the next leg of his dream and now has returned for Women's Week as the singer/songwriter of his own hit dance album along with a broad new vista of opportunity in front of him. In a nutshell, that's the difference.

Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, James was the epitome of the dancing, lip-synching kid who would find escape in the dreams of the stars he listened to. Today, those years are paid homage to in James' new show, Other Voices, One Room, where the old albums that started it all are pulled out and sung, albums such as Mae West's-Great Balls of Fire, Sonny and Cher-Live in Las Vegas, Donna Summer-Live in Concert, Madonna's- Madonna.

What Jimmy James will deliver on stage is vastly different from his Provincetown years. His first album, Jamestown, released in October of 2006 on Made Records, has yielded a hit dance song, Fashionista, that has made its mark on the club scene. For James it's the fruits of taking a couple of steps backwards, struggling, but coming out in a markedly different place. "It was the hardest thing I've ever done," said the singer from his New York home. "But when I'm performing that song and see the audience lip-synching to my song? That's wild." Jimmy James' new shows are a mix of his real voice singing his own songs and the voices of Cher, Barbara Streisand, Bette Davis and of course his show stopper none other than Marilyn Monroe. This m?lange of styles comes from the fact that Jimmy James, child or star, has never wished to be pigeonholed. His love of dancing and song was always on his mind even when he was a hit in the world of impersonation. It has always been important to James to evolve as an artist. Pushing beyond the established preconceived notions of what he was as a performer. As he says, "I did not want to be a 'one trick pony. I wanted to know lots of tricks."

Fortunately for James, Provincetown is more than ready for his return. And thanks to his first promoter Phyllis Schlossberg, he's being given the floor once again. "Back in 1986 no one in P'town wanted to look at my promo tape, but Phyllis did, although she said she was solid booked. I was thrilled just at the chance to show what I could do. So she hired me to play a few nights at The Pilgrim House. I was an instant hit. My shows sold out immediately. Finally, I was being accepted and compensated for my talent."

This week take a look a the new Jimmy James. He's not the same. As he sings in one of his songs, Famous, "When I become famous, You'll know who my name is, I'll be glamorous, Posing for cameras." Oh, and photography is permitted.

Jimmy James: Divas R 4 Ever
Wed, October 10 @ 7pm
Thurs-Sat, October 11-13 @ 10pm
Sun, October 14 @ 5.30pm
Post Office Cabaret
303 Commercial St.
508.487.0130