Tribute to Richard Rodgers highlights best songs of classic musicals

If you've got a taste for songs from musicals, they're serving a banquet at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall this and next weekend.

"A Touch of Rodgers!" brings a night's worth of Richard Rodgers' songs to life in a romantic cocktail lounge setting in a production staged by the Sierra Lyric Opera Studio and the Brewery.

The songs, many of which might not be recognized by today's teens but beloved by jazz musicals because of their fine musical structure, were written by Rodgers over a career which spanned more than 60 shows and a dozen films.

He teamed up with the best lyricists of the times - Oscar Hammerstein II, Lorenz Hart, Sheldon Marnick, Martin Sharmin and even Stephen Sondheim. Love songs are part of his rich legacy.

Can't think of any Rodgers songs offhand? How about the opening number, "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" from "Oklahoma!," the musical that changed the course of Broadway shows.

Or "With a Song in My Heart" or "This Can't Be Love" from "The Boys from Syracuse." Maybe "Little Girl Blue" or "If I Loved You" from "Carousel" You've got to remember "My Funny Valentine" from "Babes in Arms." And "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Where or When?" "Younger than Springtime" and "Some Enchanted Evening."

Then there's the song that was ahead of its times so much that the producers wanted to cut it for fear of offending some: "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" from "South Pacific." It was a plea for racial understanding when such subjects were not part of Broadway. The song won a Pulitzer Prize after Rodgers and Hammerstein refused to drop it.

The idea for the show came from director Gary Aldrich, director, and Richard Feldman. The producer is Carson High School drama teacher Karen Chandler, with choreography by Andie Anderson.

Melissa James is the pianist who keeps everyone on key and plays with the Nevada Opera. Tony Windisch is assistant director and performer. Singer Cece Gable of Reno is a diva in jazz and blues, and has studied with Aldrich.

There's one number that pretty well sums up the show - "The Sound of Music."

• Contact Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.

If you go

WHAT: "A Touch of Rodgers!" musical

WHERE: Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 449 W. King St.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and July 21-22

TICKETS: $15 general admission; $10 for students, seniors and BAC members; $7.50 for children.