The Little Sparrow flies back to Montreal

This French songstress' life is so over the top, one would think it was a story invented for the theatre and not simply reality relayed. It was therefore inevitable that a play based on her life would eventually find its way on stage. Piaf: Love Conquers All, a musical-drama based on the life of the famous chanteuse, written by Canadian playwright Roger Peace, recently played a sold out engagement off-Broadway at New York's SoHo Playhouse, and has subsequently embarked on an international tour, bringing it back to Montreal, where its star, Naomi Emmerson originally hails from. Piaf: Love Conquers All was written in 1992 and was first performed by Patsy Gallant in Montreal. Emmerson first performed it in Toronto in 1993 at the Limelight Supper Club and as has continued to perform it ever since, winning multiple awards, and achieving worldwide accolades for her performance. Her upcoming engagement at Centaur Theatre marks her first return to the Montreal stage over fifteen years. Time Out New York gave the production 4 stars and said that "she's hard to look away from", while nytheatre.com called her "truly a theatrical force to be reckoned with".

The premise is simple: during the production, Piaf invites the audience to share a cocktail while she shares anecdotes about her passion for men, music and morphine. Thirteen of Piaf's most famous songs are presented in French and are beautifully supported by live acoustic piano, performed by Montreal's very own John Gilbert, himself a formidable entertainer, musician and singer. Pure Piaf and a perfect evening out! Piaf: Love Conquers All runs from January 28 to February 8 at the Centaur Theatre (453 St. Francois-Xavier, Old Montreal). For tickets and/or information, call the Box Office, at 514-288-3161.