Women of Paris

The city of Paris is perfumed with the songs of its divas.
Some were born in Paris, some made it in Paris, and others had the greatness of Paris thrust upon them.

Claudia Hommel and music director Bob Moreen have distilled the energy of Parisian music-hall with a dose of intimate Chicago-style cabaret to create a theatre-piece that will transport you to Paris. You may not speak a word of French but you’ll understand every nuance of these women of song.

"Women of Paris" video clips

From Chicago, Kansas and Paris—

WOMEN OF PARIS débuted in January 2008 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Double-billed with “Her Way”, Megon McDonough’s tribute to American singers, the 350-seat house was sold-out weeks in advance.

In Manhattan, Kansas, the Fine Arts Center’s audience ranged from 9 years old to 90. The eldest woman was moved to tears, she said beaming. The 4th grader gushed “It was awesome.” It certainly didn’t feel like Kansas anymore.

With ground-breaking cooperation from each university’s French department, music and theatre faculty and students, the two-day tour to the University of Tennessee/Martin and Murray State University in Kentucky was a rousing success.

At the Musée de Montmartre in Paris, the discerning audience was on its feet for an ovation. The museum director offered the “key” to the museum to Claudia, to return for another concert anytime.

Ravinia, summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, brings "Women of Paris" to their Rising Star Series on May 7, 2010.


—To your Venue

  • “Women of Paris” is available for select dates from 2009 through 2011.
  • For concert halls, cabaret rooms, theatres, performing arts centers, libraries, museums and schools.
  • Add a French flavor to your chamber music or jazz series, world music and pops lineup.
  • Bring intimate music-making to rapturous audiences.
  • The show travels with singer and pianist. But we recommend including accordionist Don Stille because he’s too fabulous to leave behind. You may also want bass and drums (Claudia’s or your own local musicians).

The Repertoire

Josephine Baker
  • Aux îles Hawaïi
  • J’ai deux amours (Two Loves Have I)
Paulette Darty
  • Fascination
  • La Diva de l’Empire
Bricktop
  • Insufficient Sweetie
  • Miss Otis Regrets
Edith Piaf
  • Padam padam
  • Milord
  • Bal dans ma rue
  • Mon manége à moi
  • Non, je ne regrette rien
  • La vie en rose
Yvonne Printemps
  • Les chemins de l’amour
Lucienne Boyer
  • Parlez-moi d’amour
Juliette Gréco
  • Les feuilles mortes (Autumn Leaves)
  • Chanson des vieux amants
Eartha Kitt
  • C’est si bon
Mistinguett
  • Mon homme (My Man)
  • Ca, c’est Paris Lys Gauty
  • Á Paris dans chaque faubourg
  • Le Chaland qui passe
Jacqueline François
  • C’est le printemps (It might as well be spring)
  • Mademoiselle de Paris
  • La mer
  • La Seine