The road to Edith Piaf…and to love

MANILA, Philippines - Now it can be told: My journey in discovering the music and life of iconic French chanteuse, Edith Piaf. 

My director, Bobby Garcia, immediately lent me his copy of No Regrets by Carolyn Burke, which seemed to be the most “authentic” (as well as recent) biography. There were also numerous videos of her performances, films and interviews, although I have yet to watch La Mome, La Vie En Rose with Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard in full.

Although I am naturally gifted with an ear for accents, a good portion of the songs, were to be sung in French. I remember a French friend walking out of a cabaret by a Canadian artist on Piaf because “her accent was all wrong.” The perfectionist in me couldn’t let this happen! I went again to Alliance Francaise De Manille (for the fourth time) and was tutored by Anna Austria personally, going through all the French dialogue in the script, both for translations and phonetics. I studied until Level 6 for regular semi-intensive classes since September 2012.

The most exciting part of preparation and “research” was when both Bobby and I realized we would be in Europe at the same time and both wanted to visit Piaf’s grave and museum in January 2013. Our common friend, Cheryl Hironaka, was graceful enough to welcome me into her home and even host a dinner for me, and devote all her time to me, and my friends in my less than 48 hours stay in Paris.

The Piaf Museum located on 5 rue Crespin du Gast, Belleville, Paris, is run by Bernard Marchois and only allows a maximum of five people per 30-minute interval. Although there is no entrance fee, an appointment needs to be made in advance and no photographs are allowed inside the two-room museum.  

Piaf lived in this place in 1933 and the current owner remembers meeting her as a boy.  

We saw her mannequin fitted with her famous black dress, love letters on the wall, gold albums, the gloves of Marcel Cerdan, her shoes, life-size Teddy bear, rare albums/recordings, photos, etc.  

My host Cheryl proudly announced to Marchois, that I was playing Piaf onstage in the Philippines and the French lady in our group commented, “Oh, she sounds like her!” (pertaining to my hoarse voice from the 19-hour travel from Manila and champagne the evening before) and then Marchois immediately said: “Only Madame Piaf is allowed to sing in this house,” which thankfully halted any suggestions from the group for me to sing a few lines!

Then we (Bobby, Cheryl and I) began walking towards the famed Paris cemetery, Pere Lachaise. I insisted to take the immediate entrance from the road, and with no map of the huge area, trekked for roughly 45 minutes diagonally upwards, towards her grave, occasionally getting “lost” and stopping at Jim Morrison’s and Collete’s resting places.

It was minus three degrees Celsius, but I never got tired nor hardly stopped on the whole uphill climb. We were also blessed with an incredibly sunny day (both days prior and after were hailing with snow) and every time I would see a clear shaft of sunlight, streaming through the clouds, I would rush under it with Cheryl, begging Bobby to snap our photo. Nothing like a film major behind a pro lens for some amazing photos!

When we finally got to her grave, there were two men praying over it, one was in tears. I felt a surge of warmth, happiness and humility sweeping over me at the thought of finally being able to make the most “physical/earthly” connection to her, and for a moment, Bobby, Cheryl and I were transfixed at the grave, and although we never really spoke about it, you could sense it in our eyes in the photographs. The “light” we had that day…was really something to be cherished.

Much has now been said about the preparation process we all took, the “curse” of Piaf on choosing who gets to perform her, our incredible set, brilliant staging, moving lighting, sensitive musical arrangement, performances and audience reactions of Pam Gem’s play Piaf.  

What I really want to share is the tremendous gift of generosity, artistic collaboration and creative development that has touched all of us involved in Atlantis’ original production. It was a very brave choice to do so, but I firmly believe that despite one’s background, influences, training and (even) allegiances, we can all make a choice to be positive and thus plant the seed of creativity, trust and integrity. As Bobby always says, “Let’s just do the work. No drama.” And what a creation and journey it has become. Every day was blessed with creative ecstasy. It has touched all of our artistic lives and become a milestone in modern Philippine theater.

My only hope (together with Bobby and the creative team) is that the younger set of actors and theater practitioners we worked with, will now have the confidence to continue to spread that “light and positivity” to other work opportunities, regardless of creative intention or affiliation. 

This inspiration stems from Madame Edith Piaf herself, from her amazing gift to touch people through her music and voice: Her love for her craft, music and ability to transcend challenges.  

The greatest compliment is for this show to turn new and younger people onto La Mome’s music (for those unfamiliar with Piaf’s music and life). Share with them this journey, and have them discover their own road to Edith Piaf, and to love.

The final three performances of Piaf are today at 8 p.m. and tomorrow, March 23, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.