There was once a regular practice of holding gatherings called salons where people could talk, tell stories and in some cases hear and/or play music. Though they don’t happen as often as they once did, a neo-salon is taking placing this weekend at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre at the Geffen Playhouse. Actress/singer/songwriter Rita Wilson has four performances of Rita Wilson’s Liner Notes beginning on Thursday of this week.
The format is simple, Wilson is joined by singer/songwriter friends and they make their way through songs they’ve written and songs they love. The cabaret setting in this smaller of the two spaces in Westwood makes it feel like you’re in their living room.
Joining Wilson for these four performances are The Warren Brothers (best known for Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips,” and Dierk Bentley’s “Feel That Fire”), Billy Steinberg who wrote “Like A Virgin” and “True Colors” and Holly Knight who wrote “The Best” for Tina Turner and “Love Is a Battlefield” for Pat Benatar.
Wilson’s most recent record is Bigger Picture. It was released in the fall of 2018 and will probably serve as part of the foundation for these shows.
Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography/Courtesy of the Geffen Playhouse