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Monday, April 13, 2015

(OUTscene NW) RE-view: "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in SEATTLE" at the ACT!

Tracy Martin
by MK Scott

Now, I must confess that I had never heard of Jacques Brel or the Revue of Brel's songbook that was off-Broadway in the late 60's.

Of course, I googled Brel and researched all I could and realized I had heard of some of the music, but performed by American Artists from Sinatra to Andy Williams to John Denver. In Europe, Brel was known as the French Sinatra and was an influence for Bowie and Cohen.

I had already wanted to see the ACT/5th Ave co-production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, because; A) The Brillant, David Armstrong was Directing and B) The King of Seattle Musical Theater, Louis Hobson (Balagan's former Artistic Director) was part of this 5-person ensemble.


Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris is a musical revue of the songs of Jacques Brel. Brel's songs were translated into English by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman, who also provided the story. The original 1968 Off-Broadway production ran for four years and spawned international and regional productions, as well as a West End production and Off-Broadway revival, among others. A film adaptation was released in 1975.




If I was going to compare it to anything, (There was no Story or Dialogue) I would certainly compare to other Revues like Side by Side by Sondheim or something from another era like Tintypes. Tintypes was a revue focusing on songs and styles of early 20th century. Brel has that 50's and 60's in Paris feel.

Some of the translations made it more parody than sense, but here are some of my favorites:

Our Fave Hobson, showed off his flawless talents as the "Statue". and commanded in "Fannette".

Kendra Kassebaum's Ne Me Quitte Pas (The only song sang in french) was one of the best of the show. She Killed it!

Marathon opened Act one and was the most stunning as the 70 yrs of film footage of Historical events were shown on the Back wall.

Hobson, Ilika, Ankrim       Tracy Martin
There is the enduring “Sons Of … ,” performed  by Cayman Ilika the most inspiring.

Eric Ankrim's Next was one of the most entertaining numbers and he even strips down to his underwear!

See Him Perform, "Mathilde" Here:



Comical tunes, sung with particular verve by the cavorting Ankrim and commanding baritone Timothy McCuen Piggee, satirize Belgian ditties of the Teens and ’20s, critique a funeral from the corpse’s viewpoint and mock the affectations of the European bourgeoisie.

From Paris to Seattle?                                       Martin
The Big Huh moment was Hobson, Ankrim and Piggee's Middle Class (a very pompous song) singing with the Pike Market Sign in the background. It seemed out of place, I spent 80% of the time thinking they were in Paris and then realize that are in Seattle? Head scratcher!

Brel is Not alive in Paris or even Seattle, he died in 1978. Jim Morrison died in Paris in 1971 and I remember seeing a photo in 1986 of a flower memorial that had a sign that said, 'Jim Morrison Lives" and I guess as long as we have the music, Brel is alive everywhere!


Please Note, Hobson's run has ended by press time, and role will now be performed by Matt Owen, who we loved in 5th's Oklahoma and On the Town. Be sure to catch Owen. 

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, a co production of the 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT Theatre, through May 17 at ACT. Click HERE  for Tix! 

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