One of the longest running off-Broadway shows in History…

“This musical has French cabaret feel that is delicious and dramatic and humorous and very honest. In many ways, it’s the antithesis of a big Broadway show. Here, it is all about the actors putting their hearts on the line.” Gordon Greenberg, director of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris in 2006.

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, an off-Broadway revue of Brel’s songs, opened at the Village Gate in Greenwich Village on January 22, 1968. Most songs were translated from the French by American poet Eric Blau and lyricist Mort Schuman with the help of Brel himself, conveying in English the pathos and wit of his story-songs, and the effect was overwhelming.

The revue played for four years and nearly 2 000 performances. It was revived on Broadway, in 1972 and 1981 and turned into a film in 1975, with Brel himself making an appearance. The latest off-Broadway revival in 2006 has received rare reviews and award nominations. Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris was also a worldwide hit: it is still today the longest running show ever played in Johannesburg for instance.

… For the first time in Singapore!

Nathalie Ribette, founder of Sing’theatre, is producer and artistic director of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. She invites Singaporeans to discover one of the most talented and recognized European music genius of the 60’s and 70’s through the singing and acting talent of local artists within the framework of an off-Broadway show.

This libretto-less musical revue, or juke-box musical, “is both fun and heartfelt: one minute in the making you ruminate on life, the next tapping your toe to the bouncing beat”, says reviewer Rich See. Each of the 27 songs is designed as a mini-play and presents vivid individual characters: living, breathing entities with existence of their own. The show, set in the simple, sober, black and white ambiance of a Parisian cabaret, is a blend of ballads, tangos, boleros, rock and classics.

The mood changes during the show, an emotional ride through the up and downs of human existence. Songs alternates between the tender and the jovial, revealing all the talents of the performers.

Singaporeans will indeed experience the passion, the excitement and the joie de vivre of Paris thanks to the

crème-de-la-crème of local artists : George Chan, Emma Yong, Tony Mc Gill and Leigh Mc Donald will join a five pieces band, including a French accordionist, famous pianist Chris Nolan, a double bass, a drum and a guitar.

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris will mark the Singapore debut of multi-talented Australian artist Tony Mc Gill, Programme Leader of Musical Theatre at LaSalle-College of Arts. George Chan will choreograph the show and have an opportunity to demonstrate in an unusual way both his singing and dancing talents, even interpreting a song in Flamish. Although almost all songs will be sung in English, Emma Yong will also take advantage of her language talents. Leigh Mc Donald and Chris Nolan will return from London especially for Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. The later, who has electrified the Singapore audience in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2007, is part of a huge “Chicago” revival in London this year.