Rita Lim
Two Strong Hearts: Olivia Newton-John and Karen Carpenter
Myron’s at the Smith Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 30, 2025
Reviewed by Jeanie Carroll
One long chord introduced the Evita theme “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” (Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber) that both Olivia Newton-John and Karen Carpenter recorded in 1977. The spotlight opened on Rita Lim, who stood proud and confident, wearing a snazzy and elegant colorful kimono that draped her full height. She was already commanding and held the audience’s rapt attention in her tribute to those two singing legends. As the applause subsided, she removed the kimono to reveal blue sequins from head to toe. Lim was “in it to win it” and she did just that by launching into the upbeat “Deeper Than the Night” (Tom Snow/Johnny Vastano). Newton-John’s 1980 hit “Magic” (John Farrar) roused the audience with the energy of that decade and featured lovely harmonic and precise background vocals by the talented Karalyn Clarke who also tickled the electronic ivories. Farrar was Newton-John’s frequent producer and collaborator and penned many of her 1980s hits.
“Let Me Be There” (John Rostill) had the audience clapping and singing along. They couldn’t resist Lim’s warmth and charisma, and her relaxed banter that really connected her with her audience. She exuded gratitude. Her supportive parents were cheering her on for her first show at Myron’s, Las Vegas’ premier venue for professional vocalists and musicians. The Smith Center is Las Vegas’ Carnegie Hall, and everybody who’s anybody wants to perform on one of its stages. We enjoyed Lim’s “If You Love Me (Let Me Know)” (Rostill). Every time she spoke to the room, there was laughter and comfort. She had a low and mellow speaking voice that carried one away as if under a spell.
The ballad “I Honestly Love You” (Jeff Barry/Peter Allen), a sincere, heartfelt tribute to Lim’s idol (who saw her in concert more than 20 times) was met with resounding applause. One of the wonderful things about this show was the abumdance of recognizable melodies. “Close To You” (Hal David/Burt Bacharach) and “We’ve Only Just Begun” (Paul Williams/Roger Nichols) were delivered beautifully in Lim’s smooth contralto. Even Newton-John’s higher-pitched song “Have You Never Been Mellow” (Farrar) was aptly and lyrically handled by Lim’s range. “Don’t Stop Believing” (Farrar) followed and was also the title of Olivia Newton-John’s autobiography.
Carpenter’s “All You Get from Love Is a Love Song” (Steve Eaton) came from her Passage album released in 1977 and had a pop-Latin flair and syncopation. “A Little More Love” (Farrar) followed and many in the audience were lip syncing along. Another touching moment came with “Shaking You” (David Foster/Paul Howard Gordon/Tom Keane): “I’m painting my love for you in corners I know how to get around.” That lyric still sticks with me. We were transported back in time for the renowned “Rainy Days and Mondays” (Williams/Nichols).
Lim carefully chose her band and her background singers, who also doubled as guest artists with their musical virtuosity. Her exemplary band included drummer Greg Babcock—”the drummer in the fishtank,” Steven Lee (guitar), Rick Keller (sax and flute), Eric McCalister (violin), Mert Sermet (cello), Dave Siegel (principal keys), John Belzaguy (bass), and Dave Siegel (keyboard, music director, and husband). A full house was on stage, and the audience was graced with phenomenal solos that exuded musical dexterity and mastery. There were smiles all around.
Lim recreated iconic duet moments from the past that featured her guest artists. She was generous with her praise and love for each one who shared the stage with her. She united with Las Vegas pop icon Ashley Fuller on “Heartache Tonight” (Don Henley/Glenn Frey/Bob Seger/JD Souther) and “Physical” (Steve Kipner/Terry Shaddick). These popular, energetic tunes brought the audience to its feet to dance along. Fuller shined, and her exuberance was contagious. When they looked at each other to reflect their sheer joy of performing together it was magic. The buoyant “Twist of Fate” (Steve Kipner/Peter Beckett) followed.
To recreate Karen Carpenter’s duet with Ella Fitzgerald from her television special Music Music Music, Lim chose none other than the incomparable Las Vegas jazz diva Michelle Johnson as her companion. The delicious medley included the classics “This Masquerade” (Leon Russell), “My Funny Valentine” (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers), “I’ll be Seeing You” (Sammy Fain/ Irving Kahal), “Someone to Watch Over Me” (George & Ira Gershwin), “As Time Goes By” (Herman Hupfeld), “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” (Duke Ellington/Bob Russell), and “Just Friends” (John Klenner/Sam M. Lewis) They collaborated flawlessly. What a treat that was!
Newton-John’s duet with Cliff Richard, “Suddenly” (Farrar), was seamlessly performed along with Eric Sean, Lim’s guest artist and background vocalist. “I Just Fall in Love Again” (Larry Herstritt/Steve Dorff/Harry Lloyd/Gloria Sklerov) from the Carpenters’ Passage album sailed over us beautifully and seemed to be dedicated to Lim’s husband, Dave Siegel.
Lim was joined by vocalist Erik Carlson who was her perfect John Travolta for the Grease medley that thundered in and included “Summer Heat” (Jim Jacobs/Warren Casey) and “You’re the One That I Want” (Farrar). We got chills; it was electrifying! “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (Farrar) brought down the house, and we relaxed into the closing numbers of the show with enthusiasm and gratitude for such an enchanting evening.
We all chorused on the irresistible “Sing” (Joe Raposo). Lim brought her 11-year-old daughter, Emma Siegel, on stage to sing along with Fuller and Johnson, and their smiles were infectious. The charming penultimate chanson medley combined “Go to Sleep Jeff” (Brahms Lullaby, Jeff Lynne), which came from Olivia Newton-John’s Lullaby album dedicated to her daughter, and “Calling You” (Bob Telson) from Lim’s latest album. Finally, we were enthralled as we traveled to Xanadu (Lynne/Farrar). It was a soirée to remember and savor. Lim said, “The world has not been the same since Olivia and Karen left us. We miss them. Thankfully, they left us with their beautiful recordings that reminded us to be kind to one another.” Kudos to the glowing Rita Lim and her gifted musical friends.
