“O Réjane is sexy and stylish, expertly choreographed and beautifully staged — both inspiring and a little bit disturbing, but in just the right way. As a performer, feminist and fashion icon, Gabrielle Réjane was the Helen Mirren of the Belle Époque in late 19th century Paris.” – LA Times Arts Writer Deborah Vankin
Says Rico Gagliano, now of the Mubi podcast, “I saw O Réjane and was struck by its humor, intelligence and style — kind of Howard Hawks meets Moulin Rouge.”
“Director Christopher Siversten and writer Ilana Turner provide an entertaining and illuminating glimpse into the life of the talented Parisian actress... Dance, music and song feature prominently, also. (The can-can sequence performed exuberantly to – what else? — Offenbach’s “Infernal Galop” is a knock-out.)”
– Stage Raw, TopTen Pick
Click to read the Feature Interview with Playwright Ilana Turner on Stage Raw
“Under Christopher Sivertsen’s direction...Cara Pifko gives a ferocious performance that sears itself into your memory... Thanks to Ilana Turner’s detailed conception, poetic flourishes delight and the show uses dance and movement (including a buoyant can-can dance sequence) to underpin the authentic text and to express extreme emotions.” – ArtsBeat LA
“La pièce d’Ilana Turner raconte comment Gabrielle Reju est devenue Réjane, de ses origines modestes à son statut d’icône du théâtre français. Elle est basée sur des correspondances, des photos et des œuvres d’art de l’actrice, auxquelles Ilana Turner, une proche de la famille, a eu accès en 2007. Une plongée dans le Paris de la Belle Epoque, et dans la vie mouvementée d’un mythe qui fut aussi une “working mom” avant l’heure.” — French Morning
“The physicality of the play is astounding. Between the constant set restructuring, Can-Can dancing and hot sex, you really feel like you’ve been through something important by the end of the play, and it’s all set to the très apropos music created for the play by Réjane’s great-great granddaughter Adrien Reju (how cool must she be?) along with Sébastien Miel.” – Paula Tiberius, arts blogger
“La pièce d’Ilana Turner raconte comment Gabrielle Reju est devenue Réjane, de ses origines modestes à son statut d’icône du théâtre français. Elle est basée sur des correspondances, des photos et des œuvres d’art de l’actrice, auxquelles Ilana Turner, une proche de la famille, a eu accès en 2007. Une plongée dans le Paris de la Belle Epoque, et dans la vie mouvementée d’un mythe qui fut aussi une “working mom” avant l’heure.” — French Morning
“The physicality of the play is astounding. Between the constant set restructuring, Can-Can dancing and hot sex, you really feel like you’ve been through something important by the end of the play, and it’s all set to the très apropos music created for the play by Réjane’s great-great granddaughter Adrien Reju (how cool must she be?) along with Sébastien Miel.” – Paula Tiberius, arts blogger