“a bewitching work of heart and soul.”
NY Cabaret Exchange
NY Cabaret Exchange
Naomi Emmerson (Edith Piaf)

(Actor/Producer/Designer/Director) As an actor, Ms Emmerson has been working steadily in theater and television for the past 19 years. Born in Montreal and an art/music graduate of Concordia University (BFA), she began her singing career performing simultaneously with punk/pop band “Sons of the Desert” and studying bel canto style voice with Carmen Mehta and Barbara Lewis. She also sang in the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under Ewan Edwards and Charles Dutoit.
In theater, she has played lead roles in both drama, comedy, musicals and straight plays. She originated the role of Joan of Arc in Jeanne: The Joan of Arc Musical Drama (Saidye Bronfman Centre). She played opposite Renee Lee in Nunsense II at The Centaur Theater and toured with Robert Marien in Broadway Montreal. She has appeared in lead roles in theaters all over Ontario, Canada. Highlights include: The Crimson Veil (The Factory Theater), Snow White and the Group of Seven with Alen Frew and Sean Cullen (Elgin Theater), Colors In The Storm (Theater Aquarius, Orangeville Theater), Dads!: The Musical (Lighthouse, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia), Cowgirls (Georgian Theater Festival, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia), Nunsense (Ontario Tour), Cheatin’ Hearts (Lighthouse Theater, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia).
While living in Toronto for 10 years, she took part in performance workshops for both The Mirvishes (Peggy Sue Got Married) and CanStage (Moll by Leslie Arden). She appeared with Matthew Broderick in Walt Disney's TV movie The Music Man where she also sang on the cast recording. Other film and TV credits include: The Tuxedo, Blizzard, The Man Who Saved Christmas, Monk and St. Ralph. She has appeared in many commercials, and has added her voice to Sailor Moon and other animation and commercial projects. Ms. Emmerson’s directorial debut (outside of Piaf) was for Smile Theater for Leslie Arden’s The Happy Prince.
Ms. Emmerson lived in Brooklyn, New York where she and her husband headed Tone Poet Productions, the company responsible for producing over 200 performances of the one woman show Piaf: Love Conquers All. The show won "Outstanding Musical" at the Fringe NYC then went on to a 10 week off-Broadway commercial run. It has toured in over 16 venues in the USA and Canada and abroad including San Francisco and Manilla Philippines (see show history here)
After living in Austin, TX for 4 1/2 years and singing in Western Swing Band The Bordertown Bootleggers (with husband Langley on guitar) Naomi and Jake and their 5 backyard feathered friends (yes chickens!) moved to Las Vegas in January 2015. They presented the Nevada premier of Piaf: Love Conquers All at the Winchester Cultural Center in Las Vegas in March 4 and 5, 2016.
In theater, she has played lead roles in both drama, comedy, musicals and straight plays. She originated the role of Joan of Arc in Jeanne: The Joan of Arc Musical Drama (Saidye Bronfman Centre). She played opposite Renee Lee in Nunsense II at The Centaur Theater and toured with Robert Marien in Broadway Montreal. She has appeared in lead roles in theaters all over Ontario, Canada. Highlights include: The Crimson Veil (The Factory Theater), Snow White and the Group of Seven with Alen Frew and Sean Cullen (Elgin Theater), Colors In The Storm (Theater Aquarius, Orangeville Theater), Dads!: The Musical (Lighthouse, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia), Cowgirls (Georgian Theater Festival, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia), Nunsense (Ontario Tour), Cheatin’ Hearts (Lighthouse Theater, Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia).
While living in Toronto for 10 years, she took part in performance workshops for both The Mirvishes (Peggy Sue Got Married) and CanStage (Moll by Leslie Arden). She appeared with Matthew Broderick in Walt Disney's TV movie The Music Man where she also sang on the cast recording. Other film and TV credits include: The Tuxedo, Blizzard, The Man Who Saved Christmas, Monk and St. Ralph. She has appeared in many commercials, and has added her voice to Sailor Moon and other animation and commercial projects. Ms. Emmerson’s directorial debut (outside of Piaf) was for Smile Theater for Leslie Arden’s The Happy Prince.
Ms. Emmerson lived in Brooklyn, New York where she and her husband headed Tone Poet Productions, the company responsible for producing over 200 performances of the one woman show Piaf: Love Conquers All. The show won "Outstanding Musical" at the Fringe NYC then went on to a 10 week off-Broadway commercial run. It has toured in over 16 venues in the USA and Canada and abroad including San Francisco and Manilla Philippines (see show history here)
After living in Austin, TX for 4 1/2 years and singing in Western Swing Band The Bordertown Bootleggers (with husband Langley on guitar) Naomi and Jake and their 5 backyard feathered friends (yes chickens!) moved to Las Vegas in January 2015. They presented the Nevada premier of Piaf: Love Conquers All at the Winchester Cultural Center in Las Vegas in March 4 and 5, 2016.
Roger Peace (playwright)

Born in England and a Montreal resident, Roger has been producer, director, writer, choreographer, actor and lecturer for the past 50 years. He has served on several boards of directors including: the Quebec Drama Festival, Youth Theatre as well as charitable community organizations. Lectured at Concordia University, Quebec Drama Festival, The Acting Circle on such subjects as audition techniques, scene studies, monologue techniques, how to audition and musical theatre. Screener for the Quebec Drama Festival for the years 1978/79/82/83. Owned and operated Roger Peace Enterprises/Allstar Talent Management, a production/talent company which produced theatre in Canada and the US. Also worked extensively with Canadian authors, actors and directors in developing full length works and one act plays. Is also listed in the Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. Currently Artistic Director of Copa de Oro Productions along with partner Allan Sandler. He has written and directed Geraldine Doucet in Red Hot Mama: Songs and Stories of Sophie Tucker, Patsy Galant and Naomi Emmerson in Piaf: Love Conquers All, and Renee Lee in White Gardenia: The New Billie Holiday Musical. He also directed Jeanne: The Joan of Arc Musical at The Saidye Bronfman Centre. His most recent one woman musical projects are White Gardenia: The New Billie Holiday Musical (TV screenplay) Starring Ranee Lee, The Mahalia Jackson Musical,and Judy: Songs and Stories of Judy Garland. Roger passed away in 2017.
People who have made Piaf a success over the years
Associate Director:
Adam Blanshay
Pianists:
Angela Chan, Alan Choy, John Gilbert, Roland Graham, Yan LI, Carmela Sinco, MJ Johnson, Donna Garner
Accordionists
Hubert Gall, Jacqueline Sadler
Stage Managers / Technicians / FOH:
Marni Lewis, Erin Maxwell, Jen Jones, Yvonne Herrera, Peter Sherk, Courtney Phiels, Rose Guiterrez
Publicists:
Adam Blanshay Productions, Karen Koster
Technical Advisors:
John White, Dominic Manca (original light design)
Music Transcriptions:
Wayne Gwillim
Set Construction:
Bob and Pat Cann, Derek Emmerson
Photographers:
Larry Auerbach, Caroline Brandes
Presenters:
Scott Burke (Easternfront Theatre), Nicholas Pynes (Theatre Lac Brome), Glorioso (Manila), Hudson Village Theater, Mary Windspere Theater
Associate Director:
Adam Blanshay
Pianists:
Angela Chan, Alan Choy, John Gilbert, Roland Graham, Yan LI, Carmela Sinco, MJ Johnson, Donna Garner
Accordionists
Hubert Gall, Jacqueline Sadler
Stage Managers / Technicians / FOH:
Marni Lewis, Erin Maxwell, Jen Jones, Yvonne Herrera, Peter Sherk, Courtney Phiels, Rose Guiterrez
Publicists:
Adam Blanshay Productions, Karen Koster
Technical Advisors:
John White, Dominic Manca (original light design)
Music Transcriptions:
Wayne Gwillim
Set Construction:
Bob and Pat Cann, Derek Emmerson
Photographers:
Larry Auerbach, Caroline Brandes
Presenters:
Scott Burke (Easternfront Theatre), Nicholas Pynes (Theatre Lac Brome), Glorioso (Manila), Hudson Village Theater, Mary Windspere Theater