The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) opened its Fall 2026 season last Sunday with “An Afternoon in Paris,” an intimate Candlelight Series performance featuring two-time Tony Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Christine Andreas.
The concert brought together rare and familiar songs, engaging storytelling, and the warm glow of candlelight for an afternoon that moved effortlessly between New York, London, and Paris. A dozen roses resting on a Steinway piano, dramatic stage lighting, and the intimate setting created a visually stunning backdrop for her performance.
Andreas was joined by Martin Silvestri in a program reflecting a career spanning Broadway, London’s West End, Carnegie Hall, and some of New York City’s other most-celebrated stages. Married for more than 30 years, Andreas and Silvestri share an extraordinary musical connection, with Silvestri’s arrangements and piano accompaniment perfectly aligned with Andreas at every turn, responding instinctively to the nuances of her phrasing and dramatic choices.
From the opening moments, Andreas displayed the extraordinary stage presence and acting ability that have defined her career. Her voice remains remarkably powerful and flexible, moving with ease from intimate storytelling to soaring theatrical moments as she paid homage to legendary women of the American musical theater, including Mary Martin, Julie Andrews, and Ethel Merman.
Among the afternoon’s most poignant moments was “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” as Andreas delivered it with simplicity and emotional depth. Her interpretation evoked the warmth and vulnerability associated with the late Judy Garland without becoming imitative, making the song entirely her own.
But Andreas’ performance of several pieces by Edith Piaf truly stunned the Greensboro audience. With an impressive command of the French language and Silvestri’s masterful accordion playing, the atmosphere changed completely. For a few moments, Festival Hall seemed to disappear as the audience was musically transported to Paris. The effect was striking, theatrical, and extraordinarily effective.
The afternoon culminated in Andreas’ performance of “La Vie en Rose,” which brought the audience to its feet. She followed with an encore in French as audience members clapped along, earning a second standing ovation to close the show.
The enthusiastic, sold-out crowd’s response marked a memorable opening to the OPAS season, which continues Sept. 20-26 with the return of the OPAS Pop-Up Series Concert Truck. Next will be the Oct. 23 Rhythm & Brews Festival in collaboration with Reynolds Lake Oconee, Broadway Sings for OPAS Nov. 8, and two performances on Dec.
12 of the annual OPAS Fa-La-La holiday concert.
To learn more about upcoming performances and OPAS membership, visit OPAS.org or call 706-467-6000.
— Contributed