A REVUE THAT GOES STRAIGHT TO THE HEART AND SOUL
This past weekend, one of our boldest theater companies in the Coachella Valley, Dezart Performs (Dezart), launched a new program called Cabaret at the Pearl with the revue Straight to the Heart – A Tribute to the Legacy of Rodgers & Hart at the Pearl McManus Theater at Palm Springs Women’s Club.
Wayne Bryan (co-creator, co-director)
The cabaret (more like a fully staged musical revue) was conceived and directed by Broadway vets Wayne Bryan and Dennis Courtney, who also hosted and performed. They meticulously crafted a show that gracefully weaved together poignant stories from Rodgers and Hart’s (RH) partnership with a delightful cross section from the RH songbook, including songs from their iconic musicals, On Your Toes, Pal Joey, Babes in Arms, and The Boys from Syracuse among others.
Kim Huber
The cast of Straight to the Heart featured Broadway veterans Kim Huber and Tim Ewing, plus local favorites Patrick Wallace and Jenne Carey, and special guest Barbara Kerr, with musical direction by another local favorite, Joel Baker. Baker also played the keyboard and was wonderfully accompanied by Bill Saitta on Bass and Christian Chalifour on Harp.
Barbara Kerr
Joyful highlights poured forth from every member of this captivating ensemble. Among them was the story Wayne Bryan told about being handpicked by Rodgers himself to star in the Broadway revue, Rodgers and Hart: A Musical Celebration followed by his performance of at the Roxy Music Hall.
Patrick Wallace, Jenne Carey, Kim Huber, Tim Ewing,
Dennis Courtney, Barbara Kerr, Wayne Bryan
Dennis Courtney was masterful in his partnership with Bryan that added humor and gravitas to the whole production. He delivered multiple tunes with assurance broadcasting his track record on the stage, particularly, as he sang with depth what is perhaps RH’s mostly widely recognized song, “Blue Moon.”
Jenne Carey, Patrick Wallace, Dennis Courtney,
Wayne Bryan, Tim Ewing, Kim Huber
Early in the show Kim Huber gave a sultry, tour-de-force performance of “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.” Jenne Carey was a delight, particularly, in her performance of “Johnny One Note.” Barbara Kerr stopped the show with her rousing rendition of “To Keep My Love Alive.” The other local Broadway vet, Tim Ewing is a joy to watch. He has been gracing stages across the desert since his recent arrival. Ewing and Huber punctuated the revue’s poignancy in a duet of “My Funny Valentine” as a video montage of Lorenz Hart portraits were projected. Over the past year Patrick Wallace has become a well known and most worthy stage presence in the Coachella Valley. His talent is significant and he often has the audience in the palm of his hands, particularly on this evening as Joey Evans during the Pal Joey medley.
Jenne Carey, Patrick Wallace, Kim Huber
Other Rodgers and Hart gems in the show included: “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Blue Moon,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” “Where or When,” “Manhattan,” “I Could Write a Book,” and “I Married an Angel,” among others.
Dennis Courtney, Jenne Carey, Tim Ewing, Patrick Wallace
This revue has legs and deserves more life. Hopefully, it will be presented on additional stages in the valley and beyond providing you with an opportunity to also have a delightful evening with the Rodgers and Hart songbook.
photos by David A. Lee
Straight to the Heart, A Tribute to the Legacy of Rodgers & Hart
Dezarts Performs’ Cabaret at the Pearl
Pearl McManus Theater
at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S Cahuilla Road in Palm Springs
played June 21-23, 2024
for more info, visit Dezart Performs