"My Funny Valentine...sweet comic valentine...you make me smile with my heart..." "I'm wild again...beguiled again...a simpering, whimpering child again... bewitched bothered and bewildered am I" - Two glorious segments of the romantic lyrical poetry of Rodgers and Hart.

"If they asked me I could write a book" about Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's brilliant Broadway collaborations between 1919 and 1943. One of American theater's grandest and most precious teams ever to bless our globe, Rodgers and Hart's songs will live on in our most tender spots forever.

"An Evening of Rodgers and Hart: My Funny Valentine" will begin as flamboyant but sensitive Occidental pianist Rob Ellis lights up the stage with his "Variations on My Funny Valentine."

The beloved Mary Lynn Preiss will illuminate both tender and humorous Rodgers and Hart favorites, accompanied by the warm and engaging piano of Renata Yardumian. Chris Doering will bring his tasteful guitar stylings to the set, and the multitalented Phil Atkins will add his voice to the evening's performance.

Charismatic tenor saxophonist Harrison Goldberg will team up with master San Francisco pianist Eric Shifrin performing "Where or When," and then unique vocalist Kotomi Shifrin returns by extreme popular demand singing songbook classics with husband Eric's piano accompaniment.

Sought after Bay Area trumpeter Erik Jekabson plays two Rodgers and Hart gems in the sweet and profound ballad style of Miles Davis, gracing the Arts Center stage with the accomplished and dapper Santa Cruz bassist/vocalist Nat Johnson and pianist Eric Shifrin.

Fred Adler will again narrate his production from the stage which follows the acclaimed standing room only performance of "A Night of Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue." This Rodgers and Hart Valentine's week event is the second of Adler's American Composers Songbook Series, presented by Gualala Arts. Sharing this musically romantic concert would surely make a delightfully heartfelt early Valentine.

The Martini Bar will be open, and pink champagne will be available as well as beer and wine. Tickets are $28 in advance, $10 Youth 17 & under; $5 more day of performance. For advance purchase, visit Brown Paper Tickets or call them at 800-838-3006. To purchase in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center or Dolphin Gallery in Gualala.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.