Anne Carrere
Piaf! The Show
Lynne University Wold Auditorium, Boca Raton, FL, November 5, 2015
Reviewed by Jeffrey Bruce for Cabaret Scenes
Dear Anne Carrere:
Je t’aime! I love you!
There, I’ve said it. You were unknown to me until I saw your extraordinary performance as Edith Piaf. Yes, you’re “only” 31, but that voice (more about it later), your acting, movement and soul….all so French! I don’t speak a word of it, but the two hours (and 27 songs) of your stage performance were two of the most wonderful hours I have ever experienced. Anywhere!
I had no idea the evening would be totally in French and it didn’t matter. The capacity crowd, when not giving you spontaneous standing ovations, was enthralled en masse. By using your clarion, beautiful alto, you managed to inhabit The Little Sparrow without impersonating her.
Aided by your wonderful quartet—Philippe Villa on piano, Laurent Sarrien on percussion, Daniel Fabricant on double bass and Guy Giuliano, superb on accordion—you transported Boca Raton, Florida back to Montmartre, Pigalle, et al., for a delicious and glorious journey into the wonders of Piaf. “Hymne a l’amour” brought me to tears, as did “Bravo, pour le clown” Yes, there were some selections I was not familiar with, but your acting and phrasing let us understand perfectly what you were singing. You are a marvel!
Ms. Carrere, your show is on a national tour, but as part of the Libby Dodson’s Live at Lynn Theatre Series produced by Jan McArt, you have set the bar (or should I say “barre?”) very, very high for future shows. A champagne toast to you and your musicians.
Bravi to all concerned. (I am still on cloud “neuf”!)