{"id":15948,"date":"2015-01-07T19:05:00","date_gmt":"2015-01-08T03:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=15948"},"modified":"2015-01-07T19:22:50","modified_gmt":"2015-01-08T03:22:50","slug":"edith-piaf-beneath-paris-skies-world-premiere-at-cinnabar-theater-petaluma-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/edith-piaf-beneath-paris-skies-world-premiere-at-cinnabar-theater-petaluma-ca\/","title":{"rendered":"Edith Piaf: Beneath Paris Skies, World Premiere at Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma CA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Suzanne and Greg Angeo<\/span><\/p>\n

Members, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle<\/span><\/p>\n

Photos by Eric Chazankin<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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Melissa Weaver, Valentina Osinski, Michael Van Why<\/p><\/div>\n

Triumph of a Sparrow<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s the ultimate rags-to-riches story, from the streets of Paris to Carnegie Hall and beyond, the urchin who became a legend in her own time, a delicate sparrow-girl with a roaring, passionate voice. \u201dEdith Piaf: Beneath Paris Skies\u201d in its <\/span>world premiere<\/span><\/strong> at Cinnabar, is a stunning, beautifully realized cabaret-style production. Created by <\/span>Valentina Osinski<\/span><\/strong> and <\/span>Michael Van Why<\/span><\/strong>, it\u2019s a truly unique revelation of la Piaf\u2019s stormy soul.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Piaf wrote many of her own lyrics to songs that became classics, the result of a lifelong collaboration with songwriter and composer <\/span>Marguerite Monnot. <\/span><\/strong>Born <\/span>Edith Gassion<\/span><\/strong>, she soon picked up the nickname \u201cpiaf\u201d, French slang for sparrow, due to her tiny frame and jaunty spirit. She soared to fame during and after World War II. Raw and sensitive, vulgar and elegant, she was a study in contrasts and adored by millions the world over.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Melissa Weaver, Julia Hathaway<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cBeneath Paris Skies\u201d captures Piaf\u2019s short, tempest-tossed life through distinct personas performed by four talented singers: <\/span>Julia Hathaway<\/span><\/strong> displays Piaf\u2019s Romantic aspect, <\/span>Kevin Singer<\/span><\/strong> offers her Traditional side, Osinski as the Reckless Piaf, and Van Why as her Jaded self. Rounding out the cast in a non-singing role is <\/span>Melissa Weaver<\/span><\/strong> as Simone, Piaf\u2019s devoted half-sister. It\u2019s interesting that men were chosen to reveal certain parts of Piaf\u2019s character, showing that her struggles and joys transcend gender. Each of the vocalists, and Weaver, is nothing less than sublime. Together, as an ensemble, they forge an emotional connection with the audience that remains unbroken long after the music is done.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The inspiring, lively show unfolds in a series of musical vignettes. French lyrics to 20 of her best-loved songs have been adapted by <\/span>Lauren Lundgren,<\/span><\/strong> who sought to reveal more of the truth behind the songs than previous translations. A band of five top-notch musicians (<\/span>Al Haas, Robert Lunceford, Daniel Gianola-Norris, Jan Martinelli and John Shebalin<\/span><\/strong>) are on hand to provide quality accompaniment. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A pink rose turns up in nearly every scene, a metaphor for Piaf\u2019s undying hope in love amid the ruins of her life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Julia Hathaway, Kevin Singer<\/p><\/div>\n

Stage direction by Weaver is a brilliant, magical mix of high and low-tech, where a section of a stage platform can become a bed, and projected images can provide vivid illustration to the stories behind the songs. And what songs they are! Many are instantly recognizable: \u201cNon, Je Ne Regrette Rien (No, I Regret Nothing)\u201d, \u201cMon Manege a Moi (My Own Carousel)\u201d, and the eternal standards \u201cLa Vie en Rose (Life in Pink)\u201d and \u201cSous le Ciel de Paris (Beneath Paris Skies)\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A woman whose life was ruled by her never-ending quest for love never quite found what she was looking for. But what she did find was worldwide acclaim, and a place in history and in the hearts of romantics everywhere. \u201cBeneath Paris Skies\u201d offers a rare glimpse into Piaf\u2019s world, and into her heart.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When: Now through January 25, 2015 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(Just extended due to sell-out shows \u2013 hurry, tickets are going fast!)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

2 p.m. <\/span><\/strong>Sundays<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets: $25 to $35<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Location: Cinnabar Theater <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

3333 Petaluma Blvd North<\/strong><\/span>, <\/span>Petaluma<\/span>CA<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span> Phone: <\/span>707-763-8920<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Website: <\/span><\/strong>www.cinnabartheater.org<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Suzanne and Greg Angeo Members, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Photos by Eric Chazankin     Triumph of a Sparrow It\u2019s the ultimate rags-to-riches story, from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15948","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"