Gay Marshall’s "Piaf" is a departure from the traditional perception of Piaf as a tragic icon; she interprets the beloved French star as a versatile powerhouse of heartwarming emotion, full of personality and humor. Her passionate and unique interpretation, enhanced by her extensive research of the French icon among Piaf’s friends and collaborators, has made her a favorite of French ex-pats in New York. Marshall was the subject of an NPR profile on Weekend Edition with Francophile host and Peabody Award winning journalist, Scott Simon.
“Piaf was so much more than ‘the poor thing,’” Marshall told Simon, “she’s much more magic than tragic.”
Marshall weaves her own English adaptations of known (L’Accordeoniste and La Foule) and rare (The Lady From Pigalle) material with the original French, creating and experience as evocative for non-French speakers as those who parlez-francais.
Her previous engagements of “PIAF: Queen of Heart” have drawn international audiences to their feet every night, and landed her on Time Out's 10 Best music list. June 5 and June 26.
