When it comes to love, what’s worse, being a hopeless romantic or a hopeful romantic? Silver-haired author/singer David Leddick leans toward the latter, or so his musical collaborator/pianist Andrew Sargent has noted. Sargent should know. The duo has worked closely together, creating the book and songs for last year’s campy musical, Secrets of the Chorus. This time around they’ve come to the cabaret, or better said, brought the cabaret to audiences — with affection, of course.
Opening at the Manuel Artime Theater today, Let’s Fall in Love is a Bobby Short-esque cavalcade featuring a dozen songs (“thirteen, if I have an encore!” Leddick quips) and “everything I know about love,” he says. In addition to the Harold Arlen-composed title tune and choice picks from the great American songbook, the duo will unleash a couple of original compositions with the help of baritone vocalist Brian Ricci. New Orleans songstress Anais Patterson will lend her talent as well, and Nicole Michelle and Rodrigue Eduardo will offer some classic ballroom dancing routines. Leddick, who admits to not having the greatest singing voice, hopes he gets across the “emotional message in the songs.” One thing is certain: The songs will be getting around — the world, that is. Leddick has booked the revue in Montevideo, Berlin, Athens, and New York City this fall.
A former creative director for a major advertising agency, who has been spending his recent years writing novels, compiling books full of arty male nude photographs, and singing onstage, Leddick promises “a glamorous, emotional show.” He and Sargent will don white tie and tails, an appropriately traditional touch for an old-fashioned guy. Citing three great loves in his own life, Leddick believes that “people don’t fall in love like they used to.” Could Internet dating be the culprit? “Maybe we know too much,” he offers. And after this weekend, we might just learn a little more.
Let’s Fall in Love takes place at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Manuel Artime Theater, 900 SW 1st St. Tickets cost $15. Call 305-532-5134 to reserve.
Mop-Top Mania
Fri 7/2
The Beatles’ songs have a way of making the world seem better. They recall the pre-Watergate innocence that younger generations regard as mythology. A tune such as “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” carries us to a world without terrorist threats or a war based on lies. “Imagine” offers a prayer of worldwide peace, something to which we can all relate. During Let It Be, a tribute concert to the Beatles, you can sing along and experience a semblance of the original Fab Four’s magic. The show will re-create the Beatles’ famed appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as well as sets and costumes reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The show’s Miami locale will bring back memories of the Beatles’ concert at the long-gone Miami Baseball Stadium. The concert begins at 9:30 p.m. at the Biltmore Hotel’s Cellar Club, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables. Tickets cost $15. Call 305-319-3203. — Juan Carlos Rodriguez
New Jazz Jam
Fri 7/2
In addition to presenting musicals such as Bat Boy and The Rocky Horror Show, the Shores Performing Arts Theater (9806 NE 2nd Ave., Miami Shores) has been branching out lately. During the past few months cool movie series Cinema Vortex has unspooled some of its offbeat offerings in the 1946 movie house. Drama king Teo Castellanos conducted a solo-performance workshop and gave the final presentation of his one-man show, NE 2nd Avenue, there too. Now the venue has jumped on the jazz bandwagon. Commencing tonight from 6:00 to 9:30 and continuing on the third Friday of every month is the Shores Performing Arts Theater Monthly Jazz Series. Hosted by gravelly voiced jazz maven China Valles, the shows will put the spotlight on the best of our locals. The inaugural outing will feature alto saxophonist/flautist Jesse Jones, Jr., and his quartet. A cocktail reception with free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will warm you up for some tunes. Jones and company will offer two sets of sounds. Tickets cost $15; students pay $10. Call 305-751-0562 or buy tickets online at shorestheatre.org. — Nina Korman
Diva Dynamics
Puerto Rican pop’s pizzazz
Sat 7/3
To her legions of fans, Puerto Rican chanteuse Ednita Nazario is a gutsy singer who gives J.Lo a run for her money. And the blond bombshell claims the title with her recent release, Viva La Diva. Whether it’s wiggling during a merengue-laced dance romp or soulfully belting out a romantic ballad, Ednita injects her songs with a boricua spirit laced with Manhattan hipness. From her early days fronting the band Kids from Ponce, to her ’80s years working with the producers of Menudo, to her appearance opposite Marc Anthony in Paul Simon’s Broadway flop, The Capeman, Ednita has been noted for her pop prowess and sexy style. She performs at 8:00 p.m. at the Jackie Gleason Theater, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets range from $35 to $65. Call 305-673-7300.
- Juan Carlos Rodriguez
