By Dee Jae Cox
“I’m a bad woman, but I’m damn good company” – Fanny Brice
And so aptly describes the antics of Darci Daniels and Francesca Amari in their fun, feel good show, “Luck be a Lady; let us blow on your dice.” Billed as Two of Palm Springs’ favorite songbirds joining forces to present a musical revue about the lives of women from all perspectives: childhood, love, family, friendship and men, these two performers have created a show that will pull at your heart strings and make you laugh out loud for a solid hour and a half.
In the spirit of Lily Tomlin’s ‘Edith Ann’, Daniels kicks off the show with 4 year old Jenny Rebecca and the two ‘soul sisters’ rock and roll through the their teens and into adulthood with music to accompany every stage and phase of a woman’s life. The laughs and humor were so much fun, but it was the touching and moving moments such as Daniel’s rendition of Nancy Wilson’s classic jazz song, “Guess Who I Saw Today” and a song for her mother, that took the show to a much deeper and impactful place.
Amari’s Gilda Radner impersonation of ‘Tap your troubles away”, (as originally seen performed by Radner on the Muppet Show), was a perfect follow up to the more serious moments. Amari has been touring with her one-woman cabaret show, “You Make Me Laugh: A love song to Gilda Radner” and from this brief Gilda moment, I was definitely left wanting more.
Dave Ring keeps the rhythm and music flowing with his piano accompaniment and musical direction. Ring’s talented playing keeps the spotlight on the show’s two performers, but remains a constant presence in every scene.
It is more than obvious that Daniels and Amari have synchronicity and chemistry in the beloved spirit of Lucy and Ethel, as they take the audience on a musical ride through the stages of a woman’s life. Both equally talented singers and actresses, as they both performed tributes to some of the women that had influenced their lives, and it was Daniels’, Mae West impersonation and her unique and risqué rendition of Julia Lee’s 1950’s classic “My Man Stands Out”, that I found to be the hysterically funny highlight of the show.
The “All That Jazz” finale’, was the perfect ending to a fun, musical, roller coaster ride of pure fun and enjoyment. Go see this show.
“Luck be a Lady,” is probably most appreciated by adults, so leave the kids at home. Enjoy a night out with dinner, drinks and a show that will have you laughing and reminiscing and leaving feeling a whole lot better than you were when you sat down.
“Luck Be A Lady” is being performed on Sunday evenings at 7pm at the 360 North, located at 360 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
For Reservations: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/972081
360 North: http: www.threesixtynorth.com
Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project and the host of KPTR 1450’s hit radio show, “California Woman 411” in Palm Springs.
