Breathtaking dancers, a live orchestra, two pianos, lots of glitter and, above all, incredibly talented performers: Gregory Charles surrounded himself with “the best of the best” on stage for his new show Gregory Charles – 7.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
It was opening night, Thursday, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts and we can say that the Quebec audience really needed entertainment and magic on this difficult day after the announcement of the death of Karl Tremblay, singer of the Cowboys Fringants. (*see other text for Gregory Charles’ tribute to this missing giant)
20 years after Black and White, in which the multidisciplinary artist engaged in the mesmerizing exercise of performing audience-selected songs of all styles live, Gregory Charles returns to power with his seventh major show.
To take us across 100 years of music from Broadway to Hollywood, he has surrounded himself with young singers with absolutely incredible voices – and generously made their talent available: Audrey-Louise Beauséjour, Klara Martel-Laroche, Frédérique Mousseau, Gabrielle Roy Lemay, Mathieu-Philippe Perras and Marc-Antoine Gauthier.
selected songs
After asking people to send in their favorite musicals and autobiographical films upon arrival, the 55-year-old artist was joined by his 11-year-old daughter Julia to bring the compilation of results to the stage.
Even though the songs offered will be different every evening, we can still imagine that certain classics will be unanimously requested by fans of the genre, which is why the choreographies will be skillfully developed throughout the evening.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
Audience favorites offered during this two-and-a-half-hour evening with intermission include Moulin Rouge, Cats (be enchanted by the princess-like voice of Audrey-Louise Beauséjour!), Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera (in a powerful interpretation by Gregory and the young opera singer Klara Martel-Laroche), Les Misérables, The Melody of Happiness (with the large choir of the Arcantia Group under the direction of Jean-François Trudel), Cabaret and Oliver Twist (played by the daughter of Gregory Charles).
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
Uplifting medleys
The second part was exciting with the medleys by Elvis (impressive Gregory Charles), Tina Turner, Édith Piaf and La vie en rose (a duet with her daughter on the piano) and Non, je ne hurte rien (excellently played by Gabrielle Lemay). Roy), Amadeus and Bodyguard (masterful interpretation of I Will Always Love You by Audrey-Louise Beauséjour).
This musical evening with historical and personal touches (Gregory Charles recounts excerpts from his life, especially the meeting of his parents, whom he describes as real characters from a musical comedy) ended in a whirlwind of joy, carried by the classic melodies of Elton John’s Rocket Man and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
A variety show of great quality, with artists of immense singing talent that would make many established artists green with envy.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
Gregory Charles – 7 is presented in the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts until November 19th. Schedule and tickets: https://placedesarts.com/fr/evenement/gregory-charles-7
Seven shows have also been announced for next summer, June 20-23, 2024, at the Salle Albert-Rousseau in Quebec City.