Alive and well and living in Burbank

“Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris” quickly became a long-running off-Broadway smash shortly after it burst onto the scene in 1968 at the Village Gate in Greenwich Village. But this funny, dark and poignant revue of Belgian composer, actor and director Jacques Brel’s songs of life and love, death and loss has only rarely been revived since.

Over the years, his songs have been recorded many times by performers ranging from Marlene Dietrich, Judy Collins and Barbara Streisand to Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Sting and countless others.

The man himself, alas, is no longer with us – dying of lung cancer at 49, Brel was buried in 1978 on Marquesas Island in French Polynesia, only yards from the grave of painter Paul Gaugin. But his music remains very much alive – and now, running through May 9, you can see more than two dozen Brel classics performed in the musical setting that first made them internationally famous, when Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris returns to Southern California at Burbank’s Colony Theatre. Check out some cast and rehearsal photos here.

The Colony Theatre is located at 555 North Third Street in Burbank. Ticket information and show times may be found on-line or by calling (818) 558-7000. Senior, student, and group discounts are available.

Posted 4-15-10