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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, April 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2004 Kurt Bernhardt shines in ‘Cabaret x 3’ opener Seeing Kurt Bernhardt’s "Cabaret x 3" is like watching a friend sing his favorite songs in his living room. There’s a piano (played by Jennifer Schloming), a stool, seating for family and acquaintances. No apparent staging or direction, no props, no polished shtick. There are awkward memory lapses, but they’re quickly forgiven. And there are lots of appreciative smiles as Bernhardt belts out one movie theme after another in "Diva Down," the first of his three shows playing in repertory at Artattack Theater Ensemble. "Simply Sondheim" and "Old Standard" are the other two shows. It’s an ambitious undertaking, performing 54 songs over three days every week through March. "I’ve never seen anyone do this," Bernhardt admits jokingly at the opening Friday. "Maybe there’s a reason people haven’t done it, fool." The 43-year-old Bernhardt says he’s been collecting these songs for 20-plus years, ever since listening to Karen Carpenter and Barry Manilow as a teenager, and it has been his dream to perform them on stage. He chose each piece based on three criteria, he says: "Is the melody pretty? Are the lyrics cool? And did I connect to it?" "They just happened to be sung by women," he says. "That’s a gay guy thing." It is this open, friendly conversation that endears us to Bernhardt, and we yearn for more. As a singer, he’s passionate about the music but sometimes stiff in his delivery. In between songs, he exudes a magnetism that bonds us to him, and we wish for more of his tidbits about Liza Minnelli and Babs Streisand and Miss Ross. Advertisement A man’s voice, even as rich as Bernhardt’s, can’t quite do justice to songs such as Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You" or Melissa Manchester’s "Through the Eyes of Love," which he freely admits. But like he says, if he worried about measuring up, he’d never open his mouth. "They’re not you," Bernhardt keeps reminding himself. As the evening draws to a close, Bernhardt’s performance deepens, giving us a wonderfully cynical "But the World Goes Round" from "New York, New York," and a moving "Love Came for Me" from "Splash." Watching a man sing his heart out, despite all the challenges and self-doubt, is inspiration for anyone trying to muster enough guts to follow a dream. Reach team leader Cathy Noah at 776-4473, or e-mail [email protected] If you go WHAT: "Cabaret x 3," featuring Kurt Bernhardt accompanied by Jennifer Schloming. WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through March 28. WHERE: Artattack Theater Ensemble, 310 Oak St., Ashland. TICKETS: $20. Call 482-6505. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times