Gay Marshall is a blues and jazz singer who fell in love with the story and music of Edith Piaf a while ago and has wanted to do this album ever since. The songs are so compelling – they’re like a string of two to four minute movies full of passion, heartbreak, joy and incredible soul. Although there are some songs in the original French, Gay worked on translations of others for months in order to find just the right mix of meaning and feeling, and with her arrangements, these tunes are a totally modern take on an old fashion style. She always describes herself as a singing actress and has spent a lot of her career on the stage both in the States and in France. She’s written two one woman shows and played all kinds of theatres from Community to Broadway. The next project (besides maybe another Piaf disc) is a Dixieland blues and jazz CD she’s wanted to do ever since she left her hometown Cleveland to go on the road with a Broadway show. You can see her on youtube – go to www.gaymarshall.com and find the links- and hear her on the cast album of the 2006 revival of “Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris”.
A really short acting bio:
Gay Marshall made her Broadway debut as Diana Morales in A Chorus Line.
Her one woman show “Piaf : La Vie l’Amour” played in the States and took her to Paris where she played Grizabella in the original French production of “Cats”, and did many shows in theaters and on television there. Living in Europe inspired her to write “If I Were Me”, a comedy that she performed in Paris and took to the Edinburgh Festival where it was voted #2 on the Fringe. Most recently here in the States, she did “Jacques Brel” at Capital Rep, Denise in both Goodspeed, and the York Theater and Paper Mill’s productions of “The Baker’s Wife”.During her recent appearance in the Off Broadway production of “Jacques Brel” she received a nomination for the Drama League’s “Distinguished Performance Award” and named as one of the “Top Ten Divas” by Playbill.
And here\'s some press quotes :
\"An enchanting performer … sings with heart-stirring transparency and possesses some of Piaf\'s spirit as well as the throbbing mixture of steel and cotton in the voice.\"
Charles Isherwood
The New York Times
\"…a heart-tugging discovery … a jewel.\"
James Gavin
Time Out
\"Her throaty power, deeply felt emotion, and her never-wavering sincerity penetrate the heart of the listener. \"
Andrew Gans Playbill
“Marshall immediately conjures Edith Piaf. Her performance is the best reason to attend this production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Marshall will be the explanation if this revival enjoys a healthy run.”
David Finkle - Theatermania
\"Marshall’s focus is so internal and so intense, so enlivening during her moments in the spotlight… she parses a lyric down to its core and plays and sings that truth.\"
Matthew Murray
talkinbroadway.com
“There is a lot of talent, intensity, humor, and heart in this tiny wallop. She is riveting when she delves into the haunting spirits of Brel and Piaf .
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Cabaret Scenes Magazine
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