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Ratio Theatre Company and Outback Steakhouse will present the fourth production of their 2011-2012 season, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, March 9th -18th at the Scottish Rite Auditorium 516 Hancock St. New Bern, NC. Tickets are available through the Bank of the Arts at 252-638-2577 or online at Ratio Theatre Company’s website.
The poignant and passionate music of Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel is brought to life in this two-act musical review based on the music, lyrics and commentary of Jacques Brel, with additional material by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman. Directed by Ratio managing partner, Joey Infinito, with music direction by Judy Harrison, this show features a cast of four polished and professional singers; John Paul Andrews, Andrea Owens, Michelle Roys and John Van Dyke.
Jacques Brel was born in Brussels, Belgium in April 1929 and died in October 1978. He was known worldwide as a Belgian Chanson singer-songwriter, a film actor and director. Although he recorded most of his songs in French, he became a major influence on English-speaking singers and songwriters such as David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Rod McKuen. English translations of his songs were recorded by many top performers in the United States, including Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, Dusty Springfield, Joan Baez, the Kingston Trio, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and more.
Brel’s songs review the complex themes of life and death, from both spiritual and psychological perspectives, often applying the use of metaphor in his lyrics to make social commentaries on issues such as romantic love, growing old and the middle class obsession with material possessions, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris debuted Off-Broadway in 1968 at The Village Gate Theater in Greenwich Village and ran for more than four years. The production enjoyed considerable international success, and has since played throughout the world.
Performance dates are Fridays and Saturdays March 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays March 11th and 18th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door.
Ratio Theatre Company is a not for profit 501(c)(3) company.
Submitted by: Andrea Owens, Ratio Theatre Company