See it if
You love Brel & Piaf & can appreciate a fun, entertaining & well-delivered performance of their music & great stories in an intimate setting
Don't see it
You're French; or Belgian: in spite of best intentions, the idea of an American singing in French may not be compelling.
Ms Gall's engaging charm, gorgeous looks and spirit, combined with her slightly self-deprecating humor, wit and enthusiasm do much to carry the evening. She’s a wonderful entertainer, and her love of the material is obvious. This, and her huge, well-trained operatic voice pull the audience right in; resistance is futile.
Nevertheless, that voice was a bit uneven on opening night, her high register at some moments occasionally (and surprisingly) sounding strained, and at other points her American sound coming through.
Still, her Under Paris Skies (Sous le Ciel de Paris) was a knockout, totally inhabited and authentic, as were her La Vie en Rose and Padam, Padam. La Chanson des Vieux Amants and Ne Me Quitte Pas are both gorgeous songs of amazing depth, but may have been approached with too much caution or respect and so seemed not yet fully inhabited by Ms. Gill.
Would that she’d sung Non, Je ne Regrette Rien before having the audience join in, and the last number, singing and harmonizing with recordings of both Brel and Piaf, seemed improvised and a bit unfocussed. Ms Gill needs her own solo, boffo & well deserved big finish.
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