“She has an effortlessly floating voice that cuts to the meaning of the song. But most of all, it is her gorgeous respect and palpable love of this material that communicates itself so vivaciously in the same way… she's certainly a singer I'd like to hear again and again."
The Stage, London
The Stage, London
Deborah Boily was born and raised in south Louisiana, spent most of her childhood in New Orleans. Her early influences were the jazz and blues of that region but at age 9, when her Dad came home one evening with a "hi-fi" and about 10 original cast recordings of Broadway shows, she was hooked.
Debbie knew what she wanted to do with her life from that point and nothing has changed since then. She performed all through her school years, starting voice lessons at age 16 and continuing with both lessons and performing at University. After graduating from L.S.U. in Music and Drama she pursued her passion for the theater and spent a summer at Williamstown Theater Festival, one of the most prestigious summer theater companies in the U.S. She then entered acting school in New York and became an Actor's Equity member in 1976. After acting school, Deborah worked in theater and commercials until a move took her back south to Houston, Texas. This did not stop Debbie from continuing her theater work or her vocal studies. See a resume of Debbie's career.
In 1990, Deborah's vocal coach suggested she write a one-woman show about something very close to her and what followed was "I Always wanted to be French"... the tale of Deborah’s lifelong obsession for anything French. After seeing the show, which was performed in Canada, New York, and Houston, audience reactions were, “You need to be doing more of this music, you have such a natural feel for it”. It was then that she decided to devote her time to creating Cabaret shows of French popular songs of well- known artists like Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Jacques Brel. Her new shows were enthusiastically received in Houston, New York, Canada and one of the most highly requested on several cruise liners as well.
Deborah’s desire to realize a dream to sing in Paris sent her there in 1994 where she lived and was the featured singer at the Hotel Westminster on the rue De la Paix (alas, the French wanted to hear American Standards!!). After two years there, she moved to London and was invited to sing in every Cabaret club in town, performing repertoires in both French and English…
Upon returning to the US in 1998, Debbie was heard performing her French repertoire by playwright Brad Korbesmeyer who decided to write a play for her. It was entitled "Piaf in Vienna" in which a young woman (Vienna), confined to her home due to mental illness, lives out a fantasy of being Edith Piaf in her attic. lt had two successful runs at the New Jersey Rep in Long Branch and in Florida at the Riverside Theater in Vero Beach.
Debbie knew what she wanted to do with her life from that point and nothing has changed since then. She performed all through her school years, starting voice lessons at age 16 and continuing with both lessons and performing at University. After graduating from L.S.U. in Music and Drama she pursued her passion for the theater and spent a summer at Williamstown Theater Festival, one of the most prestigious summer theater companies in the U.S. She then entered acting school in New York and became an Actor's Equity member in 1976. After acting school, Deborah worked in theater and commercials until a move took her back south to Houston, Texas. This did not stop Debbie from continuing her theater work or her vocal studies. See a resume of Debbie's career.
In 1990, Deborah's vocal coach suggested she write a one-woman show about something very close to her and what followed was "I Always wanted to be French"... the tale of Deborah’s lifelong obsession for anything French. After seeing the show, which was performed in Canada, New York, and Houston, audience reactions were, “You need to be doing more of this music, you have such a natural feel for it”. It was then that she decided to devote her time to creating Cabaret shows of French popular songs of well- known artists like Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Jacques Brel. Her new shows were enthusiastically received in Houston, New York, Canada and one of the most highly requested on several cruise liners as well.
Deborah’s desire to realize a dream to sing in Paris sent her there in 1994 where she lived and was the featured singer at the Hotel Westminster on the rue De la Paix (alas, the French wanted to hear American Standards!!). After two years there, she moved to London and was invited to sing in every Cabaret club in town, performing repertoires in both French and English…
Upon returning to the US in 1998, Debbie was heard performing her French repertoire by playwright Brad Korbesmeyer who decided to write a play for her. It was entitled "Piaf in Vienna" in which a young woman (Vienna), confined to her home due to mental illness, lives out a fantasy of being Edith Piaf in her attic. lt had two successful runs at the New Jersey Rep in Long Branch and in Florida at the Riverside Theater in Vero Beach.
At present Deborah is a recognized Cabaret performer in the States and an expert of French Popular song. Always ambitious, Deborah has recorded 4 albums, two of French popular songs and two of American Cabaret and popular songs.
Locally in Houston, Deborah sings at Cafe Brussels, Sorrento Ristorante and BISTECCA Steak House, and at Ovations Nightclub doing her original one-woman shows. She also runs her own Vocal Studio in Houston coaching voice and performance skills.
Locally in Houston, Deborah sings at Cafe Brussels, Sorrento Ristorante and BISTECCA Steak House, and at Ovations Nightclub doing her original one-woman shows. She also runs her own Vocal Studio in Houston coaching voice and performance skills.
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