The Tony Award winning actress Yvonne Constant returns to the Metropolitan Room for an exclusive engagement from May 23 through June 7, as she continues her fascinating exploration of the French popular songbook of the 60's and 70's. In "Paris in the 60's and 70's" Constant visits a time of remarkable creativity and social upheaval when French singers and songwriters were responding to, embracing, or resisting popular American trends. Her four concerts, with music director Russ Kassoff on piano, are on Sunday May 23 at 9:30pm, Monday May 24 at 7pm, Sunday June 6 at 7pm, and Monday June 7 at 7pm. The dates mark the singer's fourth Met Room engagement.
Constant was herself a fulcrum of these cultural cross-currents, when she emerged as a starlet on Broadway (her debut in "La Plume de Ma Tante" earned her a Tony). She went on to appear on Broadway several more times, on The Tonight Show starring
Johnny Carson 45 times, and The
Merv Griffin Show a mere 12 times. In 2007 Constant made another sensation in the widely praised Encores! production of "Follies" at
City Center. For the record, this Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres's other Broadway roles were in "No Strings" (in a starring role), "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 "Paris in the 60's and 70's" Constant demonstrates not just a physical dexterity, but a mental one as well. Combining looks, poise and smarts as only the French know how, this thinking man's sex symbol has the rigor of an archivist. She's truly emerged as an authority on French popular song. (Think
Charles Aznavour with great legs!)
Included in the new show are songs by
Gilbert Becaud,
Serge Lama, the singer Dalida, Serge Gainsbourg and Joe Dassin. An interlude is spent considering the impact of
Melina Mercouri, Dassin's stepmother, who was married to Dassin's father, the filmmaker
Jules Dassin. Brel is not to be overlooked, and "One of Those Songs," her signature from "La Plume de ma Tante," will be one of the show's songs.
Constant won't miss a beat, but her schedule will. "Paris in the 60's and 70's," Constant's brand-new edition in her series, performs on two Sunday-Mondays with a week off in between: Her dates are Sunday/Monday May 23 & 24 (at 9:30pm and 7pm respectively), and Sunday/Monday June 6 & 7 (both at 7pm). The music charge is $20 with a two-drink minimum. The Metropolitan Room is at 34 West 22nd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues). For reservations call 212/206-0440 or to pre-pay online visit www.metropolitanroom.com.
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