One of the most successful revues to bridge the gap between popular music and showtunes, Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris, finishes its latest incarnation, July 26, in a mounting at Santa Barbara CA's Ensemble Theatre Company. Best-known songs by the late Flemish composer include "Carousel," "Marathon," "Timid Frieda," "Marieke," "If We Only Have Love" and "The Desperate Ones." The songs were made popular in America by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman, who conceived the revue and translated the lyrics into English. Robert Grande-Weiss directs the Ensemble Theatre Company mounting.
ETC of Santa Barbara is the town's longest-running professional resident company, founded in 1979 and housed at the Alhecama Theatre. For tickets ($25-$30) to Jacques Brel, which opened June 26, and information on Ensemble Theatre Company call (805) 962-8606.
-- By David Lefkowitz
