Review: STRAIGHT TO THE HEART: A TRIBUTE TO RODGERS & HART at Dezart Performs

It is unanimously agreed that Dezart Performs is among the best theatrical venues here in Coachella Valley, because they are known for their outstanding and award-winning production of plays, Dezart Performs is expanding its repertoire with a new intimate summer event, CABARET AT THE PEARL, presenting STRAIGHT TO THE HEART. This is a 90-minute celebration of the lives and careers of the songwriting team Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Few exceptional venues are taking on true quality Cabaret acts. If you are hoping to see an intimate evening of traditional Cabaret at Dezart Performs you would be terribly disappointed.  Yes, you do get to sit at tables. You do get a fully stocked bar. The band is pushed clear over to one side of the stage, which should have been my first clue that this was not going to be a traditional cabaret-style club act. Not too many performers have the skill to use a handheld microphone and deliver the same kind of storytelling through song, as actors do with theatre body mics.

However, if you do want to see a fully staged, fully choreographed, fully acted Branson-style, old-fashioned, theatrical revue; this is perfect for you and it’s a good hunk of cheese. This show is filled with exceptional voices and iconic Rodgers and Hart music.  The cast includes its two fantastic hosts, Broadway veterans Dennis Courtney and Wayne Bryan, Broadway veterans Kim Huber, and Tim Ewing, alongside local performers Patrick Wallace and Jenne Carey, plus special guest star Barbara Kerr with musical direction by Joel Baker. 

This theatrical revue offers fascinating insights into the R&H songs’ origins, the groundbreaking shows they were featured in, and the memorable characters who sang them. Audiences will also learn about the two dynamic creators whose conflicting approaches to life and work came together to create unforgettable songs filled with wit, melody, and deep human emotion. The opening number was over-the-top playful and told at least a dozen love stories; one right after the other. 

Courtney and Bryan narrate this theatrical revue with buckets of charm. As the elders in this group, they bring seasoned abilities to the stage. They respect the material and it shows.

Courtney works the stage in a relaxed and comfortable way. Back in 1979, he played one of the lost boys in the production of “Peter Pan” starring Sandy Duncan – it is easy to see that time and age have been very good to him.  He looks as if he could step on the stage and reclaim the youthful role of a Lost Boy tomorrow.

Bryan was personally selected by Richard Rodgers to appear in a Broadway Rodgers & Hart revue.  His playful solo spotlight performance of The Roxy Music Hall from “I Married an Angel” was delightful and outstanding.

The incredibly handsome Ewing takes and steals focus whenever he graces the stage. With his strong singing voice and professional demeanor, he is a proven star. He is always a pleasure to watch perform in any genre.

Huber was the opening night crowd pleasure as she squeezed every ounce of sexual innuendo out of the sensual Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered. Her strong Broadway belt raised the quality of the iconic tunes she sang and nearly caused the sold-out crowd to stand after each of her solos. Her comedy chops are delicious.

Local leading man, Wallace needs to get the hell out of the desert and display his talents in a much bigger pond. We’d miss him, but this capable clean performer is a stand-out in every performance he undertakes here. As he sang and danced in a medley from the musical “Pal Joey” you can tell he would be perfectly cast in the role of Joey Evans.  

Carey has a dazzling smile and is gifted with an impressive vocal range; notably on Johnny One Note. On opening night Carey came across the least seasoned performer on stage. She mugged and played to the balcony in the small venue. Her top notes impressed the hell out of the audience, but her mid-range was often sharp; chalking it up to opening night jitters.

The showstopper appeared in the form of featured guest star, Kerr. Introduced at the last 15 minutes of the 90-minute presentation, she took stage dressed in a spectacular sequin leading lady gown to sing the 1943 To Keep My Love Alive from the Rodgers & Hart Musical “A Connecticut Yankee”. The last lyrics Hart wrote before his death in November of that year. Kerr stole the show in just a few minutes; getting thunderous applause and laughs right in the middle of this comedic song.

Many of America’s most enduring songs were created by the unlikely team of Rodgers and Hart, two men of contrasting personalities who collaborated to create such evergreen hits as Blue Moon, The Lady is a Tramp, With a Song in My Heart, You Mus’n’t Kick It Around, I Wish I Were in Love Again and If I Could Write A Book.

A powerfully poignant moment came when Huber and Ewing sang My Funny Valentine to a video picture collage/montage of Lorenz Hart. This legendary song covered by more vocalists than any other published song was rumored to be written about Hart himself. The description of Valentine was consistent with Lorenz Hart's own insecurities and belief that he was too short and ugly to be loved. The lyrics are sufficiently gender-neutral to allow the song to be sung about a person of any gender. Hart died of pneumonia at the age of 48.  Prior to his death Richard Rodgers teamed up with Oscar Hammerstein III.

As a critic I say, this is a must-see production. Courtney and Bryan conceived and directed this wonderful theatrical revue and the opening night SRO audience was well deserved.  Although while they were on stage a third directorial eye would have benefitted the pace of the scene changes and entrances of the singers.  

The surprisingly lush full orchestrations were created by a small three-piece combo:  Conductor/Keyboard by sought-after music man Joel Baker. Bass - Bill Saitta. Harp – Christian Chalifour.  A respectful nod to Dezart Performs, Dennis Courtney, Wayne Bryan, and Artistic Director Michael Shaw for keeping the level of quality extremely high by using live musicians. BRAVO!

Dezart Performs is presenting this brand-new musical event and transforming its regular performance space at the Pearl McManus Theater into an intimate cabaret table setting. Tickets for CABARET AT THE PEARL - Straight To The Heart are $35, June 21-23 at 7:00 pm at the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, located at 314 S. Cahuilla Road, Palm Springs. A pre-show social hour in the courtyard will begin at 6:00 pm, followed by the performance at 7:00 pm. Online at www.dezartperforms.org or by phone at 760-322-0179, ext 1.

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