Today@Sam Article

Curtain Up! An Evening At Jacques'

Oct. 2, 2018
SHSU Media Contact: Laura Avery

Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre is bringing the provocative and powerful songs of Jacques Brel to the Erica Starr Theatre Oct. 10-13, 2018 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and a Saturday matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. An Evening at Jacques’ is compiled and directed by Laura Avery with music direction by Eric Gundersen and choreography by Kyle Craig-Bogard.

The songs of legendary Belgian lyricist and composer Jacques Brel are infused with such potent human experience that they evoke a moving and powerful response in the listener. This musical revue of the songs of Jacques Brel is brimming with the heartfelt sentiment of Brel’s response to the human experience and his ability to create poetic expressions out of those experiences. The depth of his simple response is what makes his songs so powerful and personal for the listener.

Set in a jazz club in the Montmartre Arrondissement (District) of Paris, the owner, Jacques and his lineup of entertaining acts fill the bar with intoxicating tunes and haunting lyrics that spill into the streets of Montmartre. The show is sung by a cast of powerhouse singers able to emote their way through Brel’s thoughtful, sometimes funny and often heartfelt songs.

For fans of the well-known and popular Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, this revue will offer you many of songs featured in that show with several wonderful additions. For all you not-yet fans who may wonder what Jacques Brel has to offer, consider this: he’s been covered by Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, John Denver, Celine Dion, Nirvana and David Bowie. Packed with wit, intelligence, and raw human emotion, Brel’s songs radiate stories of love and loss, hope and despair, humor and pathos.

Jacques’ opens for guests at 7 p.m. so plan to arrive early and visit the on stage bar to purchase your souvenir cup with a complimentary beverage. All proceeds benefit the Musical Theatre Alliance student organization. You can walk around the set or relax at one of the tables while you enjoy your drink. Spend an evening at Jacques’ and experience the timeless poignancy of the songs of Jacques Brel.

For ticket information, contact the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 936.294.2339 or visit www.shsutickets.com to purchase your tickets online. General admission tickets are $15. Discounted tickets priced at $12 are available for senior citizens and students with a Bearkat One Card.

The Erica Starr Theatre is located in the University Theatre Center at 1740 Bobby K. Marks Drive and 17th street between the Newton Gresham Library and the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.

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