Directed by Carly Fisher, Broadway Diva is the brand new show of the wonderfully talented cabaret performer Olivia Ruggiero. Co-created by Ruggiero and Fisher, with pianist Thomas Saunders as accompanist, it is suitable for all musical lovers. Performed at the Barbara Hardy Garden at Holden Street Theatres, it was a lovely setting with a simple backdrop of freestanding illuminated letters B and D, next to Saunders with keyboard. The garden itself was dimly lit with its strings of lights, and fortunately the weather was perfect. Ruggiero introduces herself to the crowd and opens with Journey to the Past from Broadway’s Anastasia. With numbers from The Wizard of Oz, Westside Story, My Fair Lady and Les Miserables, as well as some operatic numbers, including O Mio Babbino Caro, Ruggeriero’s versatility is amazing. The order of these pieces kept the audience engaged and the mood lively. For instance, after a truly compelling performance of I Don’t Know How to Love Him (Jesus Christ Superstar) was Everything I Know (In the Heights) – which she dedicated to her Grandma – and as light relief afterwards, the hilarious What’s Gonna Happen (Tootsie). Her voice projection and ability to move between the various styles quickly, as well the sharing of herself through stories of her life makes this a truly heartfelt production. It was of no surprise to hear that she was winner of Broadway World Sydney’s Best New Play and Best Solo Performance (2022) with her one-woman cabaret show, Puppets. The only reason I haven’t been able to give a full five stars was because the atmosphere was disturbed just over halfway through by music coming from the other part of Holden Street Theatre. Although her powerful voice was able to prevail over it, it disturbed the power of silence between sets and song notes at times.