On July 25, CV Rep concluded its terrific 2024 Summer Cabaret Series with American singer-songwriter-actor David Burnham’s delightful cabaret, Mostly Broadway. Burnham, a Broadway vet, joyfully told anecdotes and masterfully delivered songs from his prolific career in iconic Broadway shows and beyond, aided by music director Nick Petrillo.
With charm and modesty, Burnham shared a captivating story about his big break that came after he first auditioned for a big Broadway show, Ragtime. He wasn’t cast. However, the casting director had been looking for Donnie Osmond’s replacement in the tour of Joseph and the Amazing Dreamcoat for two years and thought Burnham would be perfect. Subsequently, he sang with full-throated dreaminess “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” Burnham originally understudied Matthew Morrison as Fabrizio Naccarelli in the Broadway production of The Light in the Piazza and then stepped into the role on tour. He chose the soaring “Love to Me” from Adam Guettel’s score.
Burnham participated in early Wicked workshops as Fiyero, which he eventually took over on Broadway as one of the earlier replacements. It was monumental and moving, he said, to witness the birth of an American Musical standard when he first heard Stephen Schwartz play”For Good” for the first time. Burnham then gloriously offered a Wicked medley including “Defying Gravity,” “As Long As You’re Mine,” and, of course, “For Good” before launching into classy, lush arrangements of The Wizard of Oz classics “If I Only Had a Brain” and “Over the Rainbow.”
An incredibly touching song dedicated to his late mother, “Fly Again” by David Phelps, blew me away with its sincerity (the song appears on David’s album One Day as “Fly Again (Mom’s Song)”. After that tender delivery, he brought out his “David” doll, which was released when the 1999 animated film version of The King and I came out featuring Burnham as Prince Chululongkorn. Naturally, he didn’t short shrift Rodgers and Hammerstein offering a lovely rendition of “I Have Dreamed.” Beyond the delightful banter, Burnham’s dazzling strong tenor voice and his dexterity covering many different genres made this a joyful night to remember.
Artistic Director of CV Rep Adam Karsten and the team are doing a splendid job bringing us a season of music every summer in this CV Rep Cabaret Series. Following this is an amazing 24/25 theatrical season, but get ready for next summer.
Mostly Broadway
David Burnham
Coachella Valley Repertory
CVRep Playhouse,
68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City
played July 25, 2024
for future shows, call 760.296.2966 or visit CVR
