A Review

Chasing The Brass Ring

By R. J. Donovan

"Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris" is inaugurating the Stuart Street Playhouse/2nd Stage in a limited run. The new 199-seat cabaret-style theatre replaces the former 57 Restaurant at the Radisson Hotel Boston.

Although known for his life in Paris, poet and musician Jacques Brel was actually born in Belgium to a family that manufactured cardboard. Ironic that his songs and music were anything but.

He left home to find his own career and wound up in France where he played his music in small cafes and bistros dotting the countryside. His reputation grew and he eventually found fame as a troubadour in Paris where his insightful and often biting songs explored the universal language of the heart.

His compositions were discovered by Eric Blau who, with composer Mort Shuman, adapted the material and fashioned it into a passionate musical revue in 1968 at The Village Gate in New York. While Brel gave his permission for the show to be produced, he reportedly declined to attend the opening due to his opposition of America’s involvement in Vietnam. He did, however, attend the show’s fourth anniversary celebration at Carnegie Hall several years later.

As presented at the Stuart Street Playhouse, each song is a small painting of sorts. And each cast member is charged with interpreting the scene. Part of the show’s success is that it works with different kinds of performers, which is good considering there will be at least two different casts presenting the show at the Playhouse. Part of the show’s challenge is putting across the authenticity of a French cabaret.

A highly successful production of "Jacques Brel” played this past summer at Gloucester Stage Company, and it is that show's cast which reunited to begin the Boston run. They include Leigh Barrett, Caroline deLima, Eric Rubbe and Drew Poling. As several of them had prior commitments this month (and as Rubbe is also one of the “Blue Men”), they are alternating with a second cast, including Kristen Sergeant, Merle Perkins, Geoff Burns and Kent French.

If you have the original recording from the 60s, you’ll note that the order of the evening has been altered. The show now begins with the somber “The Desperate Ones,” which perhaps better sets the Brel mood than “Marathon,” which now opens the second act.

Along the way, there’s the bouncy “Madeleine,” a relentless “Carousel” and the breathless “Brussels” by the full cast; the darkness of “Amsterdam” (by Poling); the comic images of “The Funeral Tango;” the vivid “Mathilde” and “Sons of ...” (both done by the captivating Leigh Barrett at the performance I attended); the humor of “The Bulls” and “Jackie” (both performed by an enthusiastic Rubbe); the emotional “Fanette” (by Poling); and the poignancy of “Old Folks” (performed by deLima, who also did a touching “Timid Freida”). The evening is capped by the anthem, “If We Only Have Love,” the best known song in the show and the one that’s been covered by more recording artists than any other.

While the production is based on the Gloucester Stage Company production originally directed by Scott Edmiston, it has been re-staged by music director Todd Gordon and assistant director Nicole Jesson. Scenic design is by Janie Howland, with costumes by Douglas Fredricks and lighting by Ken Elliott.

In keeping with the cabaret feel, cocktails and light refreshments are available at the bar before and after performances and during intermission. Self-parking is available for $6.00 at the Radisson Hotel garage. (Ticket holders should have their parking tickets validated at the Playhouse Box Office.)

"Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris" is at the Stuart Street Playhouse/2nd Stage in Boston. For tickets and information, call 800-447-7400 or visit the box office at 200 Stuart St. Preferred member tickets are available exclusively through Show of the Month Club, at 617-338-1111.

-- OnStage Boston

11/12/03