Photo Flash: 'Jacques Brel' CD Launch Party

On October 16th, a launch party was held at the Zipper Theatre to celebrate the release of the cast album for the hit Off-Broadway revival of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Although the album will officially be released by Ghostlight on November 21st, it became available at the Zipper Theatre, where the revival is playing, on October 17th (it can also be ordered through the Jacques Brel website). 

Twenty-two tracks are featured on the CD, which was recorded at Skyline Studios.  Songs include "Amsterdam," "If We Only Have Love," "Madeleine" and "Carousel."  The recording features original cast members Robert Cuccioli, Natascia Diaz, Gay Marshall and Rodney Hicks; Hicks was replaced by Drew Sarich on July 7th.  Sarich was recently replaced by Jim Stanek.  The album will feature guitar player George Petit and violinist Joe Brent in addition to the show's musicians.  A few songs, which weren't able to fit on just one 77-minute CD, will be available for download from iTunes.  There is also a surprise additional bonus track.

The revue, which is directed by Gordon Greenberg, "transforms Brel's astonishing musical compositions into a theatrical experience that has delighted audiences for nearly four decades...With a cast of four actors and musicians, the show celebrates Brel's timeless relevance and enduring passions," according to press notes.  The show is translated from the French by American poet Eric Blau and lyricist Mort Shuman (Save The Last Dance For Me).  The original show opened in 1968 at The Village Gate in Greenwich Village and ran for more than four years.

For more information, visit the show's official web site - www.jacquesbrelreturns.com.  For more on Ghostlight Records, visit www.sh-k-boom.com.

Jay Johnson and Joe Franklin

Murphy Cross, Gay Marshall and Paul Kreppel

Phoebe Snow and Gay Marshall

The original cast and team of the Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris revival