The Tony Award winning actress Yvonne Constant premieres a brand new club act, "La Différence," in her sixth engagement at the Metropolitan Room since she began appearing at the intimate concert venue in 2008. In four shows over a four-week span running from October 20 through November 7, Contstant artfully explores the cultural differences between France and America in the premiere of "La Différence." Her four dates, with music director Russ Kassoff on piano, are Thursday October 20 at 9:30pm; Saturday October 29 at 9:30pm; Wednesday November 2 at 7pm, and Monday November 7 at 7pm.
As she liberally indulges her twin passions - popular song from the 50's, 60's and 70's from both sides of the Atlantic - Constant combines looks and brains (as only the French know how?) and fortitude and femininity in what some might call an American showbiz trope. Either way wit and imagination meet their match as Constant, in her signature seductress's leotard, uncovers a firmament of telling distinctions between her native France and her adoptive USA.
In his review of Constant's previous show last May, Stephen Holden of The New York Times called her, "an ageless beauty (...) whose approach to songs is wise, knowing and dry." Writing in Opera News in December, Brian Kellow called "Paris in the 60's and 70's" "one of the finest cabaret acts I've ever experienced (...) an absolutely singular nightclub performance."
A ballet dancer at first, Constant was drawn next to musical comedy. Her Broadway debut, in "La Plume de Ma Tante" in 1958, earned her a Special Tony Award. She followed this with the starring role in "No Strings" for
Richard Rodgers, and for a stretch in the 60's and 70's appeared on The Tonight Show starring
Johnny Carson 45 times, and The
Merv Griffin Show a mere 12 times. Her other Broadway roles include "The Gay Life" (with
Barbara Cook), and "Come Live with Me" (with
Soupy Sales). Her best-remembered television role was as Annette in the CBS mini-series Sins starring
Joan Collins. In 2007 Constant made another sensation in the widely praised Encores! production of "Follies" at
City Center. Constant is a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
The music charge is $20 with a two-drink minimum. For reservations call the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues) at 212/206-0440 or to pre-pay online visit
www.metropolitanroom.com.
