'Brel' Dedicates 2/23 Show to Real-Life 'Madeleine'

The company of the hit Off-Broadway revival of Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris will dedicate tonight's (Tuesday) performance to the memory of Madeleine Zeffa Biver, the woman who inspired one of Brel's most famous hit songs, "Madeleine." 

Biver died in Spain last week, at the age of 69, of an apparent suicide. 

"According to news reports, Ms. Biver's suicide is now at the center of a heated euthanasia controversy in Spain, after the 69-year old former model and restaurateur wrote a letter to the newspaper El Pais in which she said, 'Please give me a glass of water, wine or whiskey.  I want to die with my head held high, blowing kisses to those of have helped me with love and words.  This is not a crime.  It is not a murder.'  Ms. Biver had been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (known as Lou Gehrig's disease)," press materials state.

"Madeleine Zeffa Biver was a youthful bohemian and fixture of Paris nightlife of the 1950's when she met Brel, who subsequently immortalized her in song."

Jacques Brel, featuring the songs of the legendary Belgian singer/songwriter, currently stars Jayne Paterson, Constantine Maroulis and original revival cast members Robert Cuccioli and Gay Marshall.

Jacques Brel performs at The Zipper Theatre (336 West 37th Street) on the following schedule: Tues. at 7; Wed. - Fri. at 8; Sat. at 3 & 8: Sun. at 3.  Tickets can be ordered throught TeleCharge (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.  Visit www.jacquesbrellives.com for more on the show.