Venezuela's Mariaca Semprún Stars in American Debut of Musical 'Piaf'

Miami New Drama (MiND)�at�Colony Theatre�stages the�American premiere�of the critically acclaimed musical�"Piaf," which�will be the first of summer performances at the Colony, a cultural gem on Lincoln Road. The acquisition of the show coincides with the recent news of their first appointed Executive Director Florencia Jimenez-Marcos, who joined the team to build on a successful last season.�
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Venezuelan actress�Mariaca Sempr�n�will play the role of Edith Piaf in both English and Spanish performances, singing in French and bringing to life�Leonardo Padr�n's�original script. After two sold-out seasons in Caracas, Venezuela,�"Piaf"�is brought to Colony Theatre in an alliance with NiTan Tarde Producciones and Clas Producciones of Venezuela who have worked with MiND to open the international show on Miami Beach on Thursday, July 20 at 8 p.m.

"The idea was proposed to me from a team I was working with on a play about 'La Lupe,' a Cuban singer. I was a little frightened by the challenge of playing a legend like Piaf. Fortunately, the team was very supportive and coached me through the process as I began to study the songs in a language I had no previous knowledge," Sempr�n told EDGE. "Fear quickly turned in to excitement as I truly could feel the soul of Piaf running through my voice and movement."

Sempr�n said the time is right to revisit Piaf's life, as she was one of the most important singers of the 20th Century, not only in France but across the world. The actress noted that Piaf lived a dramatic life with a lot of unbelievable events and turned to music to inspire herself and others, saying, "she was completely amazing."

"Having two brilliant Venezuelans bring to life a French legend on stage in Miami Beach is exactly the kind of magic that happens at the international crossroads that is our city," said�Michel Hausmann, co-founder of MiND at Colony Theatre. "We are honored to be working with Sempr�n and Padr�n on this American premiere which will be a milestone contribution in reviving the Colony as a landmark in the city's cultural landscape."���
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The show is pervaded by the expressive universe of Piaf and her unique way of singing the melodies that filled the most famous cabarets in the world. Through 18 of Piaf's most emblematic songs, the audience will learn about a life marked by intensity, temperament and tearing moments.�The script is a captivating musical that unravels the story of a legend that seduced generations of music lovers but grew up in misfortune, suffered from love, drugs, war and sickness. Piaf's unique story is moving and delirious as it takes audience members on a journey through the legacy she left to the musical memory of the world.

"It has been a wonderful experience for me to rediscover her music at a deeper level," said Sempr�n. "After so many years, her style and sound have never been repeated. Her kind of arrangements, lyrics, and styles create a sound so unique to Edith Piaf that is unmatched."

Sempr�n said that Piaf is a legend that has made history in her life through her voice, one whose melodies are still heard around the world, even today.

She hopes that the audience can see how Piaf transformed her pain into art with so much talent in a way to cope with her struggles, saying, "I think this is the biggest lesson audiences can learn from Piaf; to use their creativity and soulful passions to cope with life's challenges."
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Sempr�n, known as "the Queen of Musicals" in Venezuela, is one of the most comprehensive and versatile artists of her generation. She has amassed an incomparable sum of experiences in the world of music and acting, unifying both talents in the creation of a distinctive professional profile. Submitted to rigorous professional training, she has taken her career through the halls of the opera, musicals, theater, cinema, and television, where she has starred in films, won awards and nominations in international contests.

Some of her work includes "Vivo," "La Lupe, the Queen of the Unloved," "The Sound of Music," "Aire" and "The Fiddler on the Roof." Musically, apart from her first record production titled "Buscando una Canci�n," she has participated in such productions as "El Libro de la Salsa," "El Des-Concierto," "El Club de los Porfiaos," "La Casa Grande," 'Looking for a Country" and in tributes to Sim�n D�az, Aldemaro Romero, Joan Manuel Serrat, Yordano and Gualberto Ibarreto.
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Padr�n, with a legendary career in literature, film and television, He is one of Venezuela's most well-known and respected writers.
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He has published 20 books, including poetry, chronicles, essays, books of interviews and children's literature. His work has been translated into many languages, and he is currently one of the most successful television writers, having earned over 25 awards. He is the creator and host of "Los Imposible" (The Impossible), a show that interviews international celebrities of different disciplines, which has earned both critical and popular acclaim. His biweekly chronicles in the newspaper "El Nacional" are a point of reference to understand the complex reality of Venezuela. "Piaf"�is his first script for musical theater�and represents his successful theatrical debut.

"Piaf" will run July 20-30 with performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $50-$65. To purchase tickets, visit�www.colonymb.org/piaf.�

For more information, visit�www.miaminewdrama.org