 Friday through Sunday, February 13-15, 2009
Annenberg Theater
Palm Springs, California
Written by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Pat Krause
For more Pat Krause photos of the FEVER event, click here.
The Annenberg Theater was “Sizzling with FEVER,” the weekend of Feb. 13-15 as Lezlie Anders and Buddy Greco performed many of the songs that legendary Peggy Lee either wrote or made famous. The entire program was three years in the making. Greco arranged all the music and assembled a big band that was as “hot” as the music.
Originally this program was created as a fundraising performance for the benefit of the University of Nevada. It is obvious why it is worthy of more exposure and will continue to be appreciated.
Greco took command of the stage and ignited the band into a montage of songs.
 Then Anders sauntered on stage in exquisite figure-flattering, beautiful costume after costume. There were at least seven or eight costume changes.
The songs she sang were well suited for her dusky, sultry voice. What a sight to behold and a treat for the memory and ears to hear her interpretations of so many favorite Peggy Lee songs.
Several times during the program, there was a historical perspective interjected about the upcoming song or the uniqueness of it. Peggy Lee wrote one very unusual, Jazz-Waltz song about fishing, quite enjoyable and playful, in its quirky way.
I was reminded that in the early 1950s, not only did Peggy Lee sing the voices of the Siamese cats in the Disney movie “Lady and the Tramp” “Si’ and “Am” as well as voicing the dog “Peg” and human “Darling,” but she wrote most of the music for the movie. Very impressive.
 While singing “He’s a Tramp,” Anders had a few canine cuties, snow white “Sophie,” and the two little dudes, “Valentino (known as “Tino”) and “Roscoe,” accompany her during her song. Sophie was sophisticated and “cool,” unphased by the music and the audience. Tino and Roscoe needed to have their stage fright cuddled away.
Personally I think they knew how to “work it” to get some personal attention from a beautiful woman. Isn’t that just like men?
“Fever,” the show’s title song, was truly the showstopper. A cloud of smoke billowed behind the curtains, awash in red spotlights. As the curtains opened and smoke billowed out, obscuring the band, there was Anders in an all red ensemble capped off with a red lace jacket, looking as hot as the stage and the song itself.
Later in the performance recorded tributes by Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Jimmy Durante added some tender and fun reminiscences.
 Anders explained that Peggy Lee had a very special relationship with Carey Grant. Carey came to every opening night for Peggy and it was traditional for Peggy to dedicate a song to him. At the Sunday performance and in the spirit of this tradition, Anders asked for a male volunteer from the audience. Not too many hands went up. Then one woman, Judy Parrillo, was gracious enough to “volunteer” her husband Vito to go up on stage. Vito slowly climbed up on to the stage and Anders began singing her song to him. Vito turned several shades of red but he was a great sport throughout the song. Anders graciously thanked Vito by offering some autographed CDs to Vito and Judy Parrillo.
Many valley notables were at the Sunday performance to enjoy Buddy and Lezlie. Good friends such as Jerry and Rita Vale, golf celebrity, Ken Venturi, Bill and Barbara Marx, Michael Dante and so many more including Bob and Laurene McClintick, Avi and Polly Showalter, Lola Rozzi with Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dante, and Frankie Randall and Melinda Reade.
Anders and Greco’s performances reminded me what true musical treasures they both are and how fortunate the community is to have them in the area. What a talented musical team with a sultry and sweet chemistry.
Thank you Lezlie and Buddy for this beautiful evening of “FEVER-ishly hot” class, sass and song. Don’t forget to enjoy Buddy and Lezlie at Buddy Greco’s Dinner Club.
Thank you to the Palm Springs Art Museum: Annenberg Theater for hosting this jewel of a performance.
For more Pat Krause photos of the FEVER event, click here.
For information about Buddy Greco’s Dinner Club, click here.
For a schedule of more entertainment at the Annenberg Theater, click here.
|
