Video: Texas Woman’s University presents Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

by PegNews wire

The musical revue features 23 songs written by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel that were translated into English by Mort Shuman and Eric Blau.

Eiffel Tower load-in for new TWU play

Students perform Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris April 22-25.

DENTON — The Texas Woman’s University drama program closes its season with the musical Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris by Jacques Brel, Mort Shuman, and Eric Blau. The show will run April 22-25.

Performances will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, April 22; 8 p.m. Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25. All performances will take place in the Redbud Theater Complex, located on the northwest side of historic Hubbard Hall on TWU’s Denton campus. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. To reserve tickets online or for more information, visit http://www.twu.edu/drama/ or call the TWU Box Office at 940-898-2020.

The musical revue features 23 songs written by Belgian singer-songwriter Jacques Brel that were translated into English by Mort Shuman and Eric Blau. Known for his poetic lyricism and his interest in exploring the gritty reality of life, Jacques Brel is considered one of the most prolific European songwriters of the 1950s and ’60s.

Activity on the stage will center around a 22-foot-tall iron replica of the Eiffel Tower, built by Rusty Lambert of Trenton. Rhonda Gorman, TWU assistant professor of design, designed both the set and the costumes for the musical.

Directed by Sharon Benge, TWU drama program director, the musical will come alive with movement and dance that reflect the mood of each song. Joanna Stone, a graduate student in the dance department, will be the choreographer. Presented in conjunction with the music department, associate professor of music Dr. Soojeong Lee will act as the vocal director and Noel Wallace will be the conductor of a five-piece combo featuring Andra Birdsong, Chad Harmon, Masako Narikawa, Jeff Shaperio, and Vivian Tran.

The cast, which features students from the drama, music, and dance departments, includes Arturo Garcia Jr., Eli Garcia II, Katelyn Hickman, Elizabeth Lambert, Scott Martin, Maria Mia Mena-Hernandez, Rebecca A. McDonald, Ellanie Patman, Taylor Reed, Alex Rodriguez, Jake Rodriguez, Maribeth Stickel, David Trosko, Nikki Velonis, and Joanna Wesson. Gerald Young is the stage manager. Assisting Young are Cassie Henderson and Jennie Patton.

Source: Texas Woman's University