GO: BEHIND THE CURTAIN - MMAS to present rarely seen 'Jacques Brel'
BY JAMIE MEROLLA STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 5:18 PM EDT
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| The cast of MMAS's production of "Jacques Briel" includes, from left, Rachel Parkman of Foxboro, Patrick Murphy of Mansfield, Brian Gustafson of Southboro and Shannon Manley of Wrentham. Not pictured is cast member Laura Desmarais of South Attleboro. |
I saw it once in college. I saw it again 15 years ago. It hasn't opened its stage trunk since around here. The Mansfield Music and Arts Society will be rectifying that omission and, Il est ici et maintenant!
This weekend, MMAS will be staging "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," a passionate, sparse and smart musical revue that will appeal to listeners perhaps looking for something a little out of the ordinary - something of a simpler time, of taste, of allure, of heart.
According to director Ken Butler, MMAS' intimate Black Box Theatre has been transformed into a chic, Bohemian nightclub for this cabaret show.
Six talented local performers will help create a bold and emotional evening brimming with romance, humor and moral conviction. There is sheer musical poetry in each song which supports many layers of interpretation, giving the show a new and unexpected meaning with every performance.
Musical director Mel Springer of Sharon said, "Jacques Brel is considered to be one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. He was called the 'Bob Dylan of France' because of his daredevil lyrics and musical skill. This show features two hours of nearly 30 of the Parisian crooner's greatest hits, many originally performed, we can imagine, in venues such as this one."
Among Brel's many contemporary admirers was the late French singer and cultural icon, Edith Piaf, who said, "He goes to the limit of his strength because, through his singing, he expresses his reason for living and each line hits you in the face and leaves you dazed."
Butler added, "Jacques Brel would have celebrated his 85th birthday on April 8, which is during the run of our show. We are so pleased to commemorate this occasion with a production of his finest songs. He died of lung cancer at the young age of 49 and is buried in the beautiful Polynesian Islands. But, his legendary lyrics and songs live on and we are proud to bring his work to the stage here in Mansfield."
Local singers who will perform include Rachel Parkman of Foxboro, Shannon Mannley of Wrentham, Partick Murphy of Mansfield and the recently engaged couple, Laura Desmarais and Brian Gustafson of Southboro.
"Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" will be presented at the MMAS Black Box Theatre, 30 Crocker St., Mansfield (across from the T station). Evening performance dates are Friday, March 28, April 4 and 11, Saturdays, March 29, April 5 and 12, and Sunday matinees on March 30, and April 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 general admission, $21 members and seniors, $20 students under 18. This show has adult themes and lyrics and may not be suitable for children. To order tickets online, visit www.mmas.org or call 508-339-2822.
