From staff reports

news@joplinglobe.com

“Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7, at United Church of Christ Family Fellowship, 204 N. Jackson Ave.

The musical revue features the works of singer-songwriter Brel, and is directed by Gerrie-Ellen Johnston, founder of the Graystone School of Ballet. It will be offered in a “cafe” setting, with coffee and pastries served starting at 6:45 p.m.

Johnston said that it’s a production that she has wanted to stage since seeing it at the historic Village Gate club in New York as a young girl. She said that it spoke to her passions toward peace and what war does to people.

“Brel is giving you a taste of life,” she said. “Not as we’d like it, but as it is.”

The musical begins with the song “Marathon,” about life through the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s, and the next to the last song is “Carousel,” about the ups and downs of life.

“In between are all these realities about the human condition,” Johnston said. “The very last song is ‘If We Only Have Love,’ which is the solution to everything you just saw and heard.”

The production features Brel’s music performed by Johnston, Rebecca Luebber, Matthew Ryan and Kenny Timbrel. It is being staged as a fundraiser for Army Emergency Relief, which provides assistance for soldiers and their families.

Admission is $12 for the general public and $9 for active, reserved or retired military personnel. Reservations are required.

Details: 782-4089.