Songs From the Pavement is the little know story of Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavour. Did they? Didn’t they? Much is known about these two legends of the French chanson, but just how close was their relationship?

Before they would come to define the very image of the French Chanteuse and Chanter, Edith and Charles were children of the pavement, busking on the street corners of Montmarte. One fateful night in 1946, Piaf discovered Aznavour at a live radio broadcast in Paris, she took him under her wing and so began a profound and complicated relationship that she would cherish for the rest of her days. In Songs from the Pavement Evan Lever is Edith Piaf as she sings some of Charles Aznavour’s signature songs and revisits the impact he had on her life.

Venue Format
Theatre, Black Box Venue
Technical Rating
D
Touring Party
1 performer, 1 pianist, 1 Production Manager
Considerations

Minimal technical requirements. Minimum requirements are a piano and a microphone and a simple lighting rig.

Performer - Evan Lever

Evan Lever graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) in 2011 with Bachelor of Music Theatre, he has since appeared in Cats Stevens Moonshadow the Musical, La Cage aux Fall (Fancis) for the production company, and Anything Goes The Musical (Henry T Dobson) with Opera Australia.

Writer/Producer - Hugo Chiarella

Writing credits include book and lyrics for DreamSong (Arts Centre Melbourne, Theatre Works, MICF), lyrics for Guilty Pleasures (Chapel off Chapel, The Hayes, Brisbane Powerhouse, book and lyrics for Evie May (The Hayes, New Musicals Australia), I'm With Stupid (ABC2, ABC iView). He is currently appearing in the West End production of Les Miserables.

Music Director - Stephen Gray

Musical director/arranger Stephen Gray, has worked extensively in Australian theatre as a conductor, arranged, and pianist, his credits include musical director of the Australian tour of Georgy Girl the Musical, and the upcoming production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Director - Garry Young

Director Gary Young received a Helpmann award for best original score for his show Sideshow Alley, and a Helpmann nomination for his direction of Menopause the Musical. He is currently in pre-production for the upcoming Australian tour of Mamma Mia the Musical.

Company Website
facebook.com/evanleverperformer

Unique Selling Point

Edith Piaf and Charles Aznavour are widely considered two of France's most popular and enduring singers. Charles Aznavour has sold 200 million records and was named Entertainer of the Century by CNN and users of Time Online from around the globe. These two personalities are regarded with enormous intrigue and popularity around the planet and yet little is known about their intimate and fascinating friendship. This show tells a unique and little known story about two familiar and beloved international stars using songs that are much loved but infrequently heard.

Marketing Materials

Marketing copy, digital assets, images, print material templates, promo footage.

Community Engagement

This is a show that gives audiences of a certain age the opportunity to experience music of an era they will undoubtedly love and remember, but rarely get a chance to hear live. Not only that, but they get to experience that music in an innovative and formally inventive pice of theatre that will broaden their perspective on two figures they may have already known something about.

Aside from the performance, we will also offer a sing along session lead by the performer for senior citizens in the area and a drama and singing workshop for kids.

The legacy of this production will be a community gathering around an appreciation for the power of great songwriting and the simple joy of singing.