I attended the last night of Lemley’s much talked about sold-out run of The Heat Is On! A Life In Concert celebrating Rita Hayworth at the Kravis Center in West Palm, Florida March 24th and 25th. As a critic I’ve seen and written my fair share of what’s supposed to be hot on stage and screen. Turner Classics is running a month on Rita Hayworth films so I’m here and I’m intrigued. I ask myself, can Lemley really act, dance and sing the part of the great love goddess? I’ve seen good and bad reviews of a thousand plus shows but from my experience the patrons never lie. We’ll, I’m here to find out for myself.
In the lobby there is excitement in the air as audience members packed the house. The stage was lit hot as provocative images faded in and out on a huge screen. One seductive image after another of Lemley scrolled by and gave me a taste of what was to come.
Lemley’s one woman show, The Heat Is On is a musical concert about the iconic Love Goddess, Rita Hayworth. Fantasy vs. reality- its Hayworth’s search for resolution, acceptance and ultimately the celebration of her life. We should all be so lucky. A journey examining the private woman, Margarita Cansino, and what became the myth of Rita Hayworth to the world and her many lovers. I was about to learn that Lemley’s beauty and talent would hold it’s own to the iconic Hayworth.
A sultry version of “Put The Blame on Mame” opened the show with Lemley’s back to the audience. After the images on the screen I couldn’t help but wonder just what would be revealed. Lemley turns to the audience and its picture perfect Hayworth. The journey kicks up to full speed as she works the audience to high pitched adrenaline in “The Heat Is On”, backed by a smoking band conducted by Tedd Firth. I start sweating. The crowed roars and the stage is set for the journey of this star’s passionate and intriguing life.
Lemley takes us by the hand through the highs and lows of Rita’s love’s with Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes and the tumultuous relationship with the “infamous” Harry Cohn who controlled Hayworth’s life and career as she pumped out movies for Columbia Pictures. Hayworth said, “They all went to bed with Gilda but woke up with me”. The dichotomy is evident.
Lemley’s voice is tender, passionate and dreamy -absolutely beautiful in ballads such as “Long ago and Far Away”, “That’s All” and “I’m Old-Fashioned”, while powerful and exciting in the big numbers like “Accentuate The Positive” and “The Lady Is A Tramp”. “Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered” brought the audience to pin-drop dead silence and took us on a roller coaster of power balled perfection.
“Don’t worry I’m not going to depress you”, Lemley says as she reveals Hayworth’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. We get the depth of the life, but Lemley would not allow the audience long moments of sadness as we hear the final and powerful version of “Put The Blame on Mame”, in the classic Jean Louis, black strapless gown from Gilda. Hayworth’s life is punctuated in celebration as Lemley delivers an exuberant S’Wonderful.
We should be so lucky to experience the highs and lows which make a life truly lived. Lemley is obviously living life her way and acting and singing her way to the top. I applaud this daring performance and say, ‘A Star is Born’.
Lemley can been experienced at: www.quinnlemley.com . Turn on the heat with this talented statuesque beauty and hit her next show. Hopefully it will be cold so you don’t sweat like me.
Quinn is an exciting new artist that is a rising star and a show not to be missed.
HERE IS THE LIST OF THE FLORIDA CONCERTS AND OTHERS
The Ruth Eckerd Hall
Clearwater, Florida
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
1:00 PM
Raymond F. Kravis Center
West Palm, Florida
Saturday, March 24, 2007
1:30 PM & 8:00 PM
Raymond F. Kravis Center
West Palm, Florida
Sunday, March 25, 2007
1:30 PM & 7:00 PM
Mount-Burke Theatre
Peddie School, (CAPPS)
Hightstown, New Jersey
Sunday
April 29, 2007, 2:00 PM
McCallum Theater - Just Added!
Thursday, May 1st, 2007
Palm Springs, California
7:00 PM
Box Office: (760) 340-ARTS
(2787)
A special benefit concert! All proceeds to support the Joslyn Senior Center!
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, Connecticu
Friday, May 11, 2007
8:00 PM
Proctor\'s Theatre -
Just Added!
Saturday, October 6th, 2007
432 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
8:00 PM
Box Office: (518) 346-6204
Sponsored by:
Thomas W. Suydam
Illustrated Properties,
GMAC
Tilles Center for the Performing Arts -
Just Added!
Saturday, December 1st, 2007
720 Northern Boulevard,
Greenvale, NY
11548-1300
7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Box Office: (516) 299-3100
Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza -
Just Added!
Friday, February 8th, 2008
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Box Office: (805) 449-ARTS (2787)
