Features

My Top 5 Showtunes: Christina Bianco

The actress tells us the musical numbers she couldn’t live without

Christina Bianco
Christina Bianco
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Christina Bianco shot to fame when a video of her doing impressions of divas performing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" went viral, it has since had over 8,000,000 and other videos of her performing impressions have been similarly popular.

In 2014 she starred in the West End transfer of the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre.

After touring the UK with her show Me, Myself and Everyone Else, she arrives in London with her new show Oh Come All Ye Divas at Charing Cross Theatre, on until 7 January.

We caught up with Christina and asked her: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"


1. "The Prologue" from Into the Woods

I know every note of every line. As years go by, I find I don’t remember as many historical facts or mathematical formulas, but I still don’t miss a beat singing every character's part in this – the greatest, most epic opening number of all time! (Obviously, my favorite part is the Witch’s Rap!)

2. "Part Of Your World" from The Little Mermaid

I consider Alan Menken's Disney movie scores to be traditional musicals. The first time I heard "Part Of Your World", I knew it would be my favorite song to sing – forever. I sang it at every audition, every event, I sang a parody of it in Forbidden Broadway, and when it became a stage musical, I played Ariel in recordings and live concerts. I will continue to look for ways to sing this perfect song every chance I get!

3. "A Boy Like That" from West Side Story

It’s hard to choose one all-time favorite score but when pressed, I say West Side Story. This duet hits me like a punch to the gut, everytime I hear it. I’ve had the privilege of singing it live with symphony orchestras and hearing the power and beauty of the instrumentation alone, often makes me weep. There’s no other piece of music like it.

4. "If He Walked Into My Life" from Mame

I have a lot of love for the classic musicals of Jerry Herman. I love the great divas and he knows how to write layered, emotional, diva power ballads! My favorite is "If He Walked Into My Life". Eydie Gorme, one of my vocal idols, won a Grammy Award for her rendition. Even outside of the musical itself, the song is just as effective and translates to a wider audience.

5. "Funny" from City Of Angels

If there was ever a song that made me wish I was a baritone… I love the entire score of City Of Angels and properly wore out the CD listening to it non-stop as a kid! This song is a true 11 o’clock number and it sticks with me and haunts me every time.