Cabaret Vocalist Francesca Amari Presents Gilda Radner Tribute in San Diego
By: Robert Diamond
On Thursday, July 18, 2013, popular Palm Springs-based cabaret vocalist Francesca Amari reprises her tribute show, "YOU MAKE ME LAUGH: A Love Song to Gilda Radner" at Martinis Above Fourth Table & Stage club in San Diego, CA.
Amari debuted the show two years ago at Gilda's LaughFest in Grand Rapids, MI, a 10-day festival of laughter, which included such notables as Bill Cosby, Betty White, Margaret Cho and more, to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Gilda's Club West Michigan.
She developed the show with the input of nationally-renowned cabaret star Andrea Marcovicci, known as "the Queen of Cabaret," who served as her creative consultant. The show highlights moments of Gilda's fascinating life, including her rise to stardom, her marriage to Gene Wilder and her struggle with cancer. Much of the material comes from Gilda's autobiography, "It's Always Something" and her Saturday Night Live (SNL) writing partner and friend, Alan Zweibel's account of their relationship, "Bunny Bunny."
Also on the creative team for the show was Marcovicci's long-time collaborator, Shelly Markham, who served as Music Director; and cabaret producer/director Clifford Bell and comedy writer Shelly Goldstein. The show features music from the American Popular Songbook, pop music, Broadway and the cabaret world, and includes such gems as "Pure Imagination," Markham's "You Make Me Laugh," "My Pa" and "Honey (Touch Me With My Clothes On." Amari notes that she's often told she resembles Gilda Radner, and cites the star as one of her long-time heroes, since watching her on SNL during her high school years. Accompanying Amari in San Diego will be popular pianist Kevin Cavanaugh.
Every time Amari performs the tribute show, she donates a portion of the proceeds to either a local Gilda's Club or cancer-support organization. To date, she's raised over $500. For the show at Martinis, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the A.W.O.L. Program (A Way of Life...after Breast Cancer), which supports women in the greater San Diego area.
www.chrysalistowings.com The show begins at 8:00 pm and tickets are $15 or $20. Reservations are required to guarantee seating and dinner seating begins at 6:30 pm. Martinis is located at 3940 Fourth Avenue in San Diego. Reservations at www.martinisabovefourth.com
www.CabaretAmari.com
www.chrysalistowings.com The show begins at 8:00 pm and tickets are $15 or $20. Reservations are required to guarantee seating and dinner seating begins at 6:30 pm. Martinis is located at 3940 Fourth Avenue in San Diego. Reservations at www.martinisabovefourth.com
www.CabaretAmari.com
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