By Dee Jae Cox
Everyone is looking for a little magic in their lives. We find it in the songs we hear, the laughter that erupts from the heart, the emotions that are inspired by a moving performance or piece of art. We search for the creative connection that passes from one soul to another, as we seek to make sense of our world. Sometimes it’s an escape to the past through music and song and other times it’s what brings us back to the present. But the magic of art is always a necessity in the chaos we call life.
Amari is an imported talent who originates from the mid-west and has performed from coast to coast. Following her heart to Southern California in 2010, she has become a featured desert performer.
I discovered the talent of Francesca Amari when I first saw her comedy duo show, “Luck be a Lady,” with Darci Daniels at 360 North in Palm Springs. It was a hysterically funny show and a night that left those lingering feel good thoughts of having laughed too loud and clapped too hard. With her critically acclaimed one-woman show, “You Made Me Laugh: A Love Song to Gilda Radner,” performance at the Purple Room, Amari had me laughing and teary eyed simultaneously, as she so perfectly channeled the brilliantly talented Gilda Radner. Her sexy, sultry performance as part of her ‘Lost Cherry Cabaret’ show at Wendy’s Hideout, which is part of Pete’s Hideaway, was the best theatre in the round experience you could imagine.
Upcoming performances include “The Mod Squad Variety show” on Thursdays May 24 and 31st, June 7th and 14th, with Jeff Stewart and pianist Wayne Abravanel at the Copa. (Located at 244 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA) The Mod Squad features a huge variety of fun & music from Mid-Mod Century, The Rat Pack, Broadway and more.
Saturday, June 2nd at 8pm you can see Amarai’s incredible tribute show, “You Made Me Laugh: A Love Song to Gilda Radner,” at the Desert Rose Playhouse. (69-620 CA-111, Rancho Mirage, CA) Celebrating Radner’s life with music, stories and laughter.
Amari, will be performing in ‘Sitcom,’ presented by PS Underground, June 1st, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,evening shows. And Sunday afternoon, June 10th will feature her new show, “Where the Boys Are: Francesca Sings Beatles, Bacharach & More,” at the Arthur Newman Theatre, located at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert, which is part of Les Michaels’ Summer Cabaret Series.
If Francesca Amari, isn’t a household name in your home, then you haven’t yet discovered the best music, theatre and magic that Palm Springs has to offer.
For more information on Francesca Amari and her awe inspiring shows, please visit: www.francescaamari.com
Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project.