CAPE MAY - The new East Lynne Theater Company will debuts its original music series, Cabaret at the Clemans, with “No Regrets: An Evening with Edith Piaf” (“Je ne regrette rien: Une soirée avec Édith Piaf”) starring multidisciplinary artist Yael Rasooly, Sept. 4-14 at the Clemans Theater for the Arts in Cape May.
Rasooly is an internationally renowned singer, actress and puppeteer who has performed in more than 30 countries with variations of her Piaf show. Her “No Regrets” performance, the title of which is a nod to Piaf's iconic anthem “Non, je ne regrette rien,” will include stories and songs curated especially for Cape May audiences gleaned from her sold-out shows around the globe.
Chosen to debut East Lynne’s Cabaret at the Clemans music series, “No Regrets” is a unique theatrical experience that highlights Rasooly's ability to embody Piaf’s emotional depth with theatrical flair via “Edith Piaf,” a life-sized puppet.
“With our new home, the Clemans Theater for the Arts, we have the ability to provide audiences with a range of different performances,”Executive Director Mark David Boberick said. “Cabaret shows, which are typically more intimate to allow audiences to feel a deeper, more personal connection to the performer, are still extremely popular in cities such as New York, Paris and London. We are beyond excited to bring this style of entertainment to South Jersey.”
Rasooly trained as a classical singer and theatre designer before developing her personal theatrical language. “No Regrets,” written and performed by Rasooly and directed by Deirdre McLaughlin — who directed East Lynne’s most recent show “Every Brilliant Thing” — intertwines music, theatricality and visual storytelling as Rasooly channels Piaf’s spirit through song and puppetry to bring the celebrated chanteuse’s story to life.
Legendary French singer Piaf, often referred to as “The Little Sparrow,” is known for her powerful, emotive voice and expressive performances. Born in 1915 in Paris, Piaf rose from a troubled childhood to become one of France’s most beloved cultural icons. Her repertoire of beloved torch songs explored love, loss and resilience, themes that frequently mirrored her own tumultuous life. Piaf's raw vulnerability and incomparable voice made her a symbol for tragic beauty and artistic passion.
Rasooly’s cabaret show will include renditions of some of Piaf’s most iconic songs such as “La Vie en Rose,” “Hymne à l’amour,” and, of course, “Non, je ne regrette rien” — all of which are enhanced by the mesmerizing use of a puppet that represents Piaf herself.
“There have been numerous homages to Edith Piaf throughout the years, but none as fresh or distinct as Yael Rasooly’s ‘No Regrets’,” Boberick said. “Her storytelling combines a unique perspective of song, humor and puppetry that audiences will not soon forget.”
“No Regrets: An Evening with Edith Piaf” opens with a preview show 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, and runs 7 p.m. Wednesdays to Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 4 to 14. The new Clemans Theater for the Arts is located at 717 Franklin St.
Tickets are $40 general admission, $35 seniors, $25 students and military.
For tickets and information, go to EastLynneTheater.org.
