Wearing the shortest of mini-dresses over a flesh-colored, glittering body stocking, long-legged Yvonne Constant, with silvery blonde hair, is a matter-of-fact, sexy chanteuse (of a certain age) who turned the Metropolitan Room into a Left Bank French boîte. Paris in the era of the ’60s and ’70s was a part of Constant’s life and experiences, making her an authority on the political, social and musical cross-currents of the times. She is a Tony Award-winning actress who debuted on Broadway (1958) in La Plume de Ma Tante.

Her storytelling/song styling related the student protests, rebellion, the songwriters, singers and special passion that only the French exude. Many of the songs were sung in both French and English. “Comme d’habitude” translated literally “As Usual,” has come to be known as “My Way.” According to Constant, the character in that French song had nothing to do with doing it his way…it is a story about leaving and loneliness, as usual.  Here she punctuated with “Are you still with me? You didn’t fly away?”

Constant presented songs by Gilbert Becaud (“It Must Be Him”), Joe Dassin (“Je suis Grecque”) and “To Be Not So Alone”—made famous by the singer Dalinda—a profound rendering of human needs brought to life with Ms. Constant’s superior acting skills. There were also stories and anecdotes about Melina Mercouri and Yves Montand. She is simple and direct in her approach and is a mesmerizing performer. Her Musical Director is Russ Kassoff.

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
May 24, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org