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Though it falls to Méphistofélès to conjure the supernatural forces that govern the plot, it was soprano Emily Michiko Jensen, making her company debut as Marguerite, who brought magic to the proceedings. Jensen is a gifted singing actress blessed with fine theatrical instincts and an unusually well rounded, intriguingly versatile instrument. She proved capable of handling the character’s full emotional range with naturalism and specificity, now coquettish, now vulnerable, at times consumed by genuine terror and despair. Her rolling, butterscotch-gold soprano transitioned seamlessly through the registers, revealing a powerful, bright top, a warm, sweet middle range, and rich low notes.

Her reading of the show’s most popular hit tune, “Ah! je ris de me voir si belle en ce miroir” (the Jewel Song) perfectly encapsulated the merits of her performance as a whole. Her comic hypocrisy was perfectly judged, as Marguerite speaks of her modesty and hesitation at wearing the rich ornaments left at her doorstep, all the while diving into the jewel box with rapacious delight. Her already lovely sound blossomed and unfolded over the course of the piece, building to an electrifying high note. At her weakest, Jensen was merely excellent; at her best, she was superb."

-Boston Musical Intelligencer