THE PASS – Premiere – THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE, London
“You were absolutely superb!” – Jessica Martin, London
“It was such a great show, I loved every minute of it! Denise’s story was very inspiring and heartwarming.” – Livia Papp, BMG, London
(5/5) “Authentic and inspiring. Thank you for your courage to share your powerful story.” – Plamena Todorova, London, Audience Club
The Pass is absorbing, transporting, witty, moving and inspiring. Denise Marsa, she of the notorious mystery voice on the hit record Lucky Star pulls up a barstool centre stage and pitches us immediately into a vividly shocking account of her childhood initiation into an acting class. From the very first instance there was a palpable sense of being in safe hands with this seasoned performer. The Pass is a lesson in courage and tenacity which, on the night I attended seemed to chime with people of varying generations. Certain episodes Denise endured as a young woman at the start of her career, and the resolute spirit with which she coped seemed to strike a powerfully apposite note in this era of the MeToo movement. Marsa’s voice is as strong and beautiful as ever, her evocative songs reflect her experiences with warmth, humour and sometimes heartbreaking candour. The song dedicated to her much loved cousin whose life was cut short by HIV is powerful. Denise has written and continues to write beautiful songs, it’s a wonderful treat to hear them interwoven with her story in this intimate setting.
There is something for everyone in this delightful, thought provoking piece. The Pass is a rallying cry to anyone who’s contemplating pursuing a career within the creative arts and feeling a little trepidation about plunging in. With her infectious humour and energy Denise also entreats those of us who’ve somehow managed to have a career in the arts to pause and reflect with gratitude and a little wonder. Most importantly though the clarity, heart and wit in these songs and stories simply encapsulate the key turning points in one woman’s life. Denise Marsa is an artist through and through, in a matter of moments she moves us and makes us laugh about her experiences, but as with all good narratives there is plenty to find within it that resonates with our own life stories.
Sandra Butterworth FRSA – Voice And Dialect Coach
“Denise Marsa is one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters. I first came across her over 20-years ago while living in West Hollywood, shortly before she released “Self”. Her music has stood the test of time well. Her album now resides on my MP3 player, and remains in regular rotation, being amongst the most frequently played. With the event of “The Pass”, I can now say she is also one of my favorite storytellers. Humorous and heartbreaking, the show reveals how she was physically, emotionally, and creatively choked — and how she overcame such suppression on all fronts, to live, love, create and sing in her own way and on her own terms. Like “Self” before it, “The Pass” is truly a trump. Bravo, Ms Marsa!” – Nicole Powers, Freelance Journalist, Suicide Girls
Seeing the show in London recently, I was again struck by the depth of Denise Marsa’s talent. Denise is an excellent singer songwriter, with a catalogue of phenomenal songs worthy of any great artist. Realistically, no matter how talented or good you are, so many factors need to be in place if you are to succeed as a recording artist. One of the personal challenges is to keep your inspiration and faith against all odds, as the music industry can be notoriously ageist, image conscious and exploitative. Denise has maintained extraordinary resolve throughout her career. During the show she revisits her past, sharing some of her adventures and miss-adventures along the way. The show is entertaining, touching, poignant – but most of all passionate. Accompanied excellently on the piano by Tracy Stark, Denise sings her heart out! A class act with an original and authentic voice. Definitely, a moving, musical night out. Personal favourite song: Underneath. – Julia de Peyer – Performance Coach
“The stage was dimly lit and atmospheric. An audience of excited Marsa fans murmured expectantly when suddenly that beautiful, strong, evocative voice came out from the shadows as Marsa strolled out. I have heard her sing for more than twenty years and had never heard her in better voice.
The rest of her solo show lived up to that first moment. A mixture of Marsa’s songs and spoken vignettes of her life, ‘The Pass’ delivers an evening of her fabulous music and great charm. This gifted New York artist has created a show that builds on her apparently unstoppable creativity. Her energy is tangible as she weaves her own tapestry of songs and stories.
Marsa’s songs have stay-in-your-head, hum-for-days melodies and lyrics that reflect her gift for finding the poignant and original in even the most relatable situations. Her spoken anecdotes of her life in and out of show business are told with wit and honesty. Refreshingly (and rarely!) that honesty has charm and delicacy, whether she’s making you laugh or cry.
‘The Pass’ is one woman’s reflection of a life in the music business, told through her wonderful music with humour and wisdom. It makes a bloody good evening. Go see it!” – by Jessica Sully, Indie Journalist/Author
“Denise Marsa is one of my all-time favorite singer-songwriters. I first came across her over 20-years ago while living in West Hollywood, shortly before she released “Self”. Her music has stood the test of time well. Her album now resides on my MP3 player, and remains in regular rotation, being amongst the most frequently played.
With the event of “The Pass”, I can now say she is also one of my favorite storytellers. Humorous and heartbreaking, the show reveals how she was physically, emotionally, and creatively choked — and how she overcame such suppression on all fronts, to live, love, create and sing in her own way and on her own terms. Like “Self” before it, “The Pass” is truly a trump. Bravo, Ms Marsa!” – Nicole Powers, Freelance Journalist, Suicide Girls
“The Pass is a truly wonderful piece of work.. ..especially for some of us artists who can identify with a similar path of their own..from the days gone by ..Uplifting and full of hope to carry on and follow that inner path..Elton John’s “I’m still standing” comes to mind ..and so you are …better than ever ..fully self expressed with that strong voice and those powerful songs of life’s experiences ..diving deep into the emotional ..An inspiration to us all ..Hope to see you going on tour with it in the UK…wishing you lots more success with it!” – Susan Black, London Cabaret Performer
DENISE MARSA 