First Day of Rehearsal

While we in SF survived the Pride Parade and the citizens of Toronto were attempting to survive the G20 Summit, I worked on Press lists and did laundry. Ah yes, the glamorous life of a touring actor/producer. I am really looking forward to starting rehearsal with Alan tomorrow.Our first day.We had a production meeting last Thursday and all were present! Erin Maxwell,SM, Courtney Pheils, Box Office, Rose Gutierrez, FOH,Alan Choy,pianist,and Cathie Anderson,lighting advisor. What a a wonderful group of people! There was a really nice energy in the room. Now, all we need to do is share it with the SF public. Come on Press! get on board the Piaf train!

Counting down to San Francisco

Well, it is one month until we open at The Eureka Theatre in San Francisco (215 Jackson Street) and tickets are already selling on www.brownpapertickets.com. We're taking on a 6 performance week for 5 weeks, the longest run since Off-Broadway in 2007-08! Alan Choy will be playing piano and Erin Maxwell will be Stage Managing. Rose Guiterrez will be managing the Front of House and Box Office. If you are interested in ushering email me at tonepoetproductions(at)gmail(dot)com, and I'll get you in touch with Rose. We hope you send your friends and fans to see Piaf: Love Conquers All in San Francisco July 7th - August 7th 2010 at the Eureka Theatre. Showtimes are 8pm Tuesday - Saturday and 3pm on Saturdays. Tickets are $25-$36. Tuesdays, you can show up and Pay-What-You-Can (cash only) or come on a preview, July 7th or 8th and pay $25. Seating is general seating, and tickets are held at the 'Will Call' on the day of performance. See you there!

The Ottawa Citizen Reviews Piaf:Love Conquers All

"As both star and director, Emmerson brings Piaf's physical and emotional fragility to life. She has the singer's mannerisms down pat. Her singing is powerful and moving, and she imbues the well-known songs — La Vie en Rose, Milord, Hymne à l'amour, Je ne regrette rien — with Piaf's generous, open soul." Natasha Gauthier, The Ottawa Citizen (Piaf: Love conquers All Review)

Piaf in Canada's Capital in December

We're very excited to be heading to snowy Ottawa for 11 shows in December. Come joins us for a pre-Holiday dose of L'amour and chansons to supercharge you for winter! Once again, text is in English and the songs are in French. Coming in April we'll be presenting the first fully French production in Quebec City. Details to come.

Location: The Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre (Mainstage)
1233 Wellington Street West, Ottawa K1Y 0G7 Canada
Dates: December 2nd – 12th 2009
Times: Evenings: Tuesday – Saturday @ 8pm, Matinées: Saturday @ 3pm
Tickets: $31-$36 (by phone or at the Box Office only - no refunds or exchanges)
Box Office: (613) 236-5196
Info: www.gctc.ca and www.lvrproductions.com

Youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q0q2vjWUAo

BC Tour report

It is now a month since we have returned from our first tour "Out West". We had a great time, although it was not without it's touring challenges! We were blessed with the wonderful support of friends and family in the form of accommodation, food, social relief and love. Elda Pinkney was brought to us by Jackson (who loaned us his van for the whole time!) who did some great marketing for us in Vancouver for our run at the Firehall. Yan Li, our pianist was a great talent...so young...so...funny! There were many laughs and he was such a great sport - Cuscheon Lake. Our experience in Sidney was fabulous with my sister filling in as stage manager! She did a great job!

Leaving BC behind, the summer ended with a peaceful two show detour in Knowlton Quebec at Theatre Lac Brome. John Gilbert was on keys again, and it gave me chills up and down my spine. An extra show was added Saturday afternoon as tickets were selling like hot cakes! Thanks Nicholas for a wonderful time!

Time to put together the next year....Watch out for the French Premier in Quebec City at Le Petit Champlain in April 2010 and, hopefully a stint in San Fransisco.

We'll be on the road again this summer. This time in beautiful British Columbia. I will be working with Yan Li as my pianist and Jake will be coming to call the show. Here are the dates and details. We will also be back in Quebec at Theatre Lac Brome in Knowlton on August 28th and 29th.

Location: Firehall Arts Centre
280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1L3 Canada
Dates: July 22nd – August 2nd 2009
Times: Wednesday – Saturday @ 8pm, Matinées Saturday & Sunday @ 2pm
Box Office: (604) 689-0926
Tickets: $32-$40
www.firehallartscentre.ca

Location: ArtSpring Arts Centre
100 Jackson Ave, Salt Spring Island, B.C V8K 2V8 Canada
Dates: August 5th – August 16th
Times: Wednesday – Saturday @ 7pm, Sunday 16th @ 2:30pm
Box Office: (250) 537-2102 or (866) 537-2102
Tickets: $30- $35
www.artspring.ca

Location: Mary Winspear Centre (a co-production)
2243 Beacon Ave, Sidney, B.C V8L 1W9 Canada
Dates: August 20th – 23rd
Times: Thursday - Saturday @ 8pm, Sunday @ 2pm
Box Office: (250) 656-0275
Tickets: $30-$35
www.marywinspear.ca

Back from Montreal

We have returned from a wonderfully wintery 2 week run at the Centaur Theatre in Montreal Quebec. Adam did a great job as Publicist and Associate Producer. Jen Jones was on board as my stage manager and the great John Gilbert was "the band". He added so many new textures and colors to the score. It was joy to work with these people every night as short as it was. The Montreal Press responded with favor toward the show, and we are grateful. See some of the reviews and previews in the attached links. The highlight of the run was meeting Theodore O. Prounis, the son of the owner of New York's Versailles during the 40's and 50's where Edith Piaf got her start in North America. He had wonderfully kind words about the show and the performance. It was a thrill to meet someone who knew Piaf and had seen her perform dozens of times. We're working on the next place to do the show! Where next?