Rendezvous - An Evening with Edith, Jacques, Charles & Friends

By Peter Leavy

So that there's no question about this show, the Edith, Jacques & Charles named in the subtitle refer to Piaf, Brel & Aznavour - an undeniably attractive group. And, speaking of undeniably attractive, the four performers who present this evening of songs - Greg Purnhagen, Brenda Bush, Philip Anderson & Carmen Lamar - are personable, professional & praiseworthy. The foursome dishes up a tasty plateful with engaging voices, appropriate theatricality & panache.

To its Metropolitan Room audience, RENDEZVOUS served a musical repast of songs popularized by the European composer/performers. The opening bars of most were almost instantly recognizable, including "I Love Paris," "If You Loved Me," "If We Only Have Love" & "Je Ne Regrette Rien." There were also a few carefully selected side dishes by Americans Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II, Cole Porter & the Bergmans with Michel Legrand.

If the familiar tunes were presented by a single vocalist, the result might have been overload. With the four alternating & occasionally dueting at the microphone, reminiscent of the format of Jacques Brel is Alive & Well and Living in Paris, it provided a satisfactorily refreshing variety, as well as an auspicious crowd-pleaser for a room full of Francophiles. The production was produced & directed by Terry Moyer. D. Jay Bradley was musical director with Tom Hubbard on bass. Michael Barbieri provided tasteful lighting and sound direction.

RENDEZVOUS: An Evening with Edith, Jacques, Charles & Friends will move uptown for performances at Feinstein's at the Regency on June 11th & June 18th.