'Brel' Featured on Radio Show, Hosts Valentine's Day Fête

The New York radio station WBAI-FM (99.5) has announced that it will offer up a special one-hour broadcast celebrating the current revival of Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Hosted by David Rothenberg, the show airs this Saturday (2/17) from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m and features selections from the new hit CD, plus discussions with Director Gordon Greenberg and Producer Dan Whitten.

Wednesday, February 14th is Belgian Night at The Zipper. The audience will be treated to a Belgian-themed party aptly named The "If We Only Have Love" Valentine's Day Party. Belgian food and drink will be sampled by event sponsors BXL Belgian Café, Camino Sur, Duvel Beer, Martine's Chocolates and Petit Abeille.
   
At this Wednesday Valentine's Day matinee performance at 3pm, Senior Citizens, single and otherwise,are invited to see Brel at a 45% discount. Chocolates and half-priced drinks will be served. In addition, all Brel merchandise (CDs, t-shirts, hats,  posters, etc.) will be half price. Seniors should call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 and use code braol35 for the discount. There will be a limited amount of free tickets for octogenarians who can get further information by calling Tiger Theatricals at (973) 275-9095.
   
The show is directed by Gordon Greenberg, with music direction by  Rick Hip Flores and choreography by Mark Dendy. Brel is produced by Dan Whitten, Bob and Rhonda Silver, and Ken Grossman in association  with Tiger Theatricals.
  
The current cast includes Robert Cuccioli, Constantine Maroulis, Gay Marshall and Jayne Paterson. The original production opened in 1968 at The Village Gate in Greenwich Village and ran for  more than four years.

Since posting its closing notice for February 25th, the show has been regularly selling out - due in part to the presence of "American Idol" and The Wedding Singer star Maroulis.

The new cast recording is available on Ghostlight Records.

The performance schedule is as  follows: Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., Thursday at 8  p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $65-$75 and may be purchased through Telecharge at  www.telecharge.com or (212-239-6200). For  more information, go to www.jacquesbrelreturns.com.

Photo of Constantine Maroulis by Linda Lenzi