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Two of my favorite people and artists of the past are Lorenz Hart and Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was an artist and Lorenz Hart was a lyricist and the first partner of composer, Richard Rodgers.
Although Rodgers achieved monumental success in musical theater with Oscar Hammerstein, his partnership with Larry Hart was actually longer. He and Larry produced some of the most beautiful and brilliant songs like Where or When, My Funny Valentine, Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered, Blue Moon, My Heart Stood Still, and so many more. These songs were created in the 1930s and 40s but are sung today by popular singers. Larry lived only 48 years, but his work will live forever.
Oscar Hammerstein was a peaceful and contented man who wrote lyrics that fit him. Larry’s songs had pathos, bite and humor. Always the dark mixed with the light. An author who wrote a biography about Larry called it A Ship Without a Sail. Larry’s ship did have a sail, but his life was complicated by his perception of himself.
To me, Larry shared these kinds of dark emotions and demons with artist Toulouse-Lautrec. With all due respect to Nicole Kidman and Baz Luhrman for their Moulin Rouge, I was offended at the way Toulouse was portrayed. 1952’s Moulin Rouge, with Academy Award nominee was Jose Ferrer, gives a more realistic portrait of Toulouse and it’s a wonderful movie.
In a very short span of time, as a teenager, Toulouse broke one femur in his leg and then the other. He never healed properly, and he remained very short with a limp that lasted for the rest of his life. But Toulouse would go on to make magnificent lemonade with the lemons that were dealt to him. Each night Toulouse would go to the nightclub, Moulin Rouge, and paint the singers, dancers and spectators. Though he was not aware of it at the time Toulouse would be a visual chronicler of his time on earth. His work, too, would live forever. Toulouse was always more comfortable with prostitutes than the people of the upper class to which he was born. Because he stood between 4’8” – 5’ Toulouse never felt attractive or lovable and this created the man and the artist.
Larry Hart was similarly affected. Only 5’ tall he lived in the world of show business where the physical dominates the reality.
Greatness is what spans the test of time. The talents of Toulouse and Larry are worthy of that word. No one lives forever but their contribution to the world will live forever.
Movies Broadway Singers and Beyond is happy to present Language of Love, a tribute to many beautiful love songs. You will hear songs evoking new love, enduring love, lost love, and love in all its facets. These are some of my favorites.
In honor of Toulouse, I am playing The Song From Moulin Rouge, Where is Your Heart from the 1952 movie. In honor of Larry Hart (I play his music in every show), I am featuring Frank Sinatra’s My Heart Stood Still.
The show begins with Eydie Gorme singing Our Language of Love and closes with Frank’s My Heart Stood Still.
One of my favorite Larry stories happened about 10 years ago. My beloved friend and assistant, Cindy, and I were making a playlist of Rodgers and Hart’s music. Suddenly she pushed her chair back and said loudly “What’s that awful smell. It’s cigar smoke and it’s coming from my computer!!” I knew then that Larry was there. I have a photo of him where I work. We were friends and always will be.
I hope you enjoy the show.
Show Times
| Sunday, November 10th 2 pm Eastern Time 11 am Pacific Time |
Saturday, November 16th 7 pm Eastern Time 4 pm Pacific Time |
| Tuesday, November 12th 1 pm Eastern Time 10 am Pacific Time |
Wednesday, November 20th 2 pm Eastern Time 11 am Pacific Time |
| Thursday, November 14th 5 pm Eastern Time 2 pm Pacific Time |
Friday, November 22nd 12 pm Eastern Time 9 am Pacific Time |
With a song in my heart (Larry’s words),
Sherry
