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People in the New York area should try to get to see the new production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at the Zipper Theatre directed by Gordon Greenberg.
http://www.jacquesbrelreturns.com
I was lucky enough to see an preview of it and was very impressed. It answers the Europeans criticism of the '68 off-Broadway production that Brel was over-Americanized by this play quite well. An American Parisian, Gay Marshall, classic small French chanteuse in a black dress, sings Brel in French. New songs are added, bits of the original French sometimes introduce them. The piano, the guitar, the accordion bring the feeling of European cabaret to the small warm cozy theatre and you can carry your glass of red wine from the bar inside and enjoy it as you watch the show.
The performers , four of them, are sparkling and intense, and Brel's songs, which lend themselves so wonderfully to theatre, are top-notch, as translated by Mort ("Teenager in Love, Stand by Me) Shuman/ Eric Blau.
Amsterdam, Next, If We Have only Love, The Old Folks, Son of Old Lovers, and the most beautiful chanson in the French language,Ne Me Quitte Pas, they are all there, alive and well as ever.
"What have we done, good people, with all the kindness in the world?" the characters ask, quoting Brel.
Some of it is still waiting for us at the Zipper Theatre, in preview now but opening Mar. 27.

This makes for a great theatre review, Lightning . It also is one of those things that creates a longing to live in New York City. What do you think the possibilities are for this group touring? This seems to be really excellent and true to Brel. Thanks for putting it here. Hopefully, some closer will follow and attend.

~ Lizzy

I would visit the website and http://www.jacquesbrelreturns.com and ask them. I know they are offering a student discount at the box office of $20. Gordon Greenberg, dirctor, age 36, who grew up listening to Brel as his mother went to the Sorbonne, wants young people to attend. That's us, right?

Well, it certainly is us, Lightning ! ... and I'm signing up for a class even as we speak .

Yes, I'll do that... visit the website. I wonder if they have any clips from the performances. I'll soon find out, won't I?

~ Lizzy

I'm listening to "Carousel" right now and it's giving me delightful goosebumps. I can't find a "Contact Us" or spot for asking questions on the site; however, I signed up for the Mailing List, so if they tour, I should get my answer, regardless. What an exciting show this would be to see.

I love the quote of Brel asking what's happened, good people with all the kindness in the world:

"What have we done, good people, with all the kindness in the world?" the characters ask, quoting Brel.