How do you take a cabaret of French songs and transform it into a fully staged, immersive experience inside a Spiegeltent? In this episode, Jay Turvey and Matt Alfano reflect on the creation of La Vie en Rose at the Shaw Festival, a collaboration rooted in movement, music, and memory. Drawing on everything from Edith Piaf to Gene Kelly, from historical Parisian dance to physical theatre, the show reimagines a night in Paris as an intimate theatrical event.

And we’re also joined by Eponine Lee to talk about crafting music for the Troubadors, and how the unlikely pairing of No Doubt and Eliza Doolittle helped inspire the vibe.

Jay Turvey is an award-winning actor and director. His directing credits at Shaw include The Secret Garden, Gypsy, and The Light in the Piazza, and he and his partner Paul Sportelli have co-written several original musicals including Maria Severa and Tristan.

Matt Alfano has appeared with the Stratford Festival, Drayton Entertainment, Mirvish Productions, and on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar. Credits at the Shaw Festival include One Man, Two Guvnors, Anything Goes, White Christmas, and Gypsy.

Eponine Lee is an actor, musician, and songwriter. Her Shaw credits include Wait Until Dark, Troubadors, The Orphan of Chao and Snow in Midsummer, as well as performances with the Stratford Festival, Soulpepper and many others. You can find her latest single here.

Tickets to all of our shows are available now at shawfest.com.

Hosted by Alexis Milligan
Produced by Kelly Wong
Original Music by Travis Seetoo

We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at podcast@shawfest.com