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Regional Reviews: San Francisco Edith Piaf: Beneath Paris Skies Also see Richard's review of The Anarchist
This decision is a brilliant one, as it takes the pressure off any one performer to have to inhabit one of the most complex and brilliant artists of the 20th century. With four people playing the role, no one has to deliver what is, in fact, an impossibility: matching the amazing voice of Piaf. Unfortunately, while there are other flashes of brilliance in this production—primarily the new English lyric translations by Lauren Lundgren, and Al Haas's orchestra—the show lacks a clear dramatic arc, never finding its footing and bouncing haphazardly from scene to scene. The show begins, as many biographical shows do, at the end. In the famed Paris cemetery, Père Lachaise, where Piaf's grave brings many visitors, her half-sister Simone Berteaut (Melissa Weaver) sets the story, such as it is, in motion by reminiscing back to her and Piaf's early life on the streets of Paris. Although the show's creators Michael Van Why and Valentina Osinski (yes, also two of the performers) have attempted to capture some of the grittiness of Piaf's upbringing—abandoned by her mother, raised by the prostitutes in her grandmother's Normandy brothel—they are largely unsuccessful. The show bounces along, going for charm when it ought to careen, leaving devastation in its wake and dragging us along for a tragic ride from poverty to iconic stardom to tragic denouement. Regardless of tone, the show lacks a sense of direction. We see many scenes of moments in Piaf's tragic life—lovers who leave her, babies who fail to thrive, the hand to mouth life of a struggling artist—but they don't seem to be in service of any larger themes. There's nothing here to hook the audience and make us truly care for Piaf, other than the glorious music she brought to life. And what music! Almost all the Piaf hits are here: "Milord," "L'Accordeoniste," "Hymne L'Amour" and, of course, her signature tune, "La Vie en Rose." Only a few of Piaf's biggest hits were recorded in languages other than French, and virtually every time you hear her voice, it is in the Gallic tongue. One could argue this is how her songs were meant to be heard, that something essential is lost in translation. But in this context, hearing most of the songs in English not only makes the show more accessible, it makes it more successful. Lauren Lundgren's translations are lyrically inventive while remaining true to the spirit of the original. Not being fluent in French, as I imagine very few Cinnabar patrons are, being able to take in the tragedy of the stories and characters in Piaf's oeuvre brings greater richness and depth and humanity to the proceedings. For the most part, the performers do well by Piaf, though their singing is far more accomplished than their acting. Joseph Favalora also deserves praise for his excellent choreography. Unfortunately, Favalora and the performers are required to work in the strangest staging layout I've seen in years. Perhaps ever. The Cinnabar Theater is a small house. There is a main section, nicely raked, containing 100 or so seats. Usually, that is the extent of the seating. For this show, the producers are making use of an additional side section of seating, also raked, but containing only 40 or so seats. The set, however, is angled so that it doesn't directly face either of the seating sections. Pretty much every patron, therefore, has sort of a side view of the proceedings. It puts me in mind of a line from the Broadway megahit The Producers when Max Bialystock is reminiscing of his early days producing: "You've heard of theater in the round? You're looking at the man who invented theater in the square—nobody had a good seat!" If you go, go early and grab a seat (it's a general admission house) in the smaller section, or on the left side of the main section. Edith Piaf: Beneath Paris Skies runs through January 25, 2015, at the Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 general, $25 for those 21 and under. Tickets and additional information are available at www.cinnabartheater.org or by calling 707-763-8920.
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