LA VIE EN ROSE by Stan Mazin, Guest Reviewer

“La Vie en Rose” at The Odyssey Theatre starring Julia Migenes.

What can I say?  After a four year absence from the stage, Julia Migenes performed her one person almost farewell performance, and as it happened, it was the last performance at The Odyssey Theatre, since the upcoming performances have been cancelled due to the Carona Virus, spreading throughout our country.  So, how fortunate can we be to have seen this artist perform one of her past concerts.! Her show, “La Vie en Rose” is scheduled to return to the Odyssey stage sometime in September, so whatever you do, make sure you run, race, and rush to get tickets to this beyond excellent performance.  Julia is a master craftsman, and I cannot stress enough how watching her perform is more like a master class in acting, singing, and interpreting a song as no other person can.  And the songs were all in French.  What she does in her relaxed almost humorous way to to describe what the next song is about, while giving a little of the history of the song, and who sang it… then she follows by performing in her own brilliant way the song she described.  Most of the songs were heart wrenching, while some were whimsical.  And even though other than part of the last song, they were all in another language, she has a way of acting the song so we could understand her emotional commitment during her performance.  Among the songs sung were first a combination of Mon Homme (My Man), music by Maurice Yvain with French lyrics by Jacques-Charles and Albert Willametz… with Milord (My Lord), written by Georges Moustaki and Marguerite Monnot, both tunes very recognizable to those of us who do not speak French.  She followed these with two Charles Aznavour songs, Hier Encore and La Boheme.  Other songs sung were Les Paumas Du Petit Matin by Francois Rauber and Jacques Brel, and La Chanson Des Vielles Amants by Jacques Brel.  Julia even talked about certain songs not sung in tonights performance.  She closed with Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), lyrics by Jacques Demy with music by Michel Legrand, and it was this final song that she performed partially in English, and it only showed her prowess being able to sing in any language with equal emotion.  The lighting for this show was as emotionally full as the performance of the soloist, and was designed by Bosco Flanagan.  The scenic design was by Chris Bell, simple with a grand piano, a couple of chairs, an old phonograph, and small step stool so Julia could sit on the piano.  The sound design was by Christopher Moscatiello, and included her head microphone so she could almost whisper sometimes, but could be clearly heard throughout the theatre.  The stage manager who also ran the sound and lights was Jacob Price.  The PR person was Lucy Pollack, and the show was produced by Beth Hogan.  Directed by Peter Medak, Julia used all parts of the stage, creating one emotional moment to another.  But the woman who was onstage with her, supporting her in every way possible, was her accompanist on piano, Victoria H. Kirsch, an outstanding pianist who felt every emotion with Ms. Migenes.  I cannot say enough about this very special show.  Look for it when it comes back and DON’T MISS IT!

Reviewed by Stan Mazin, 3/14, 2020