An evening of
Jacques Brel
Performance dates:
Sunday May 25th at 3:30pm and 7:30pm | Manhattan Lounge, Zuid Amsterdam
Wednesday May 28th at 8:00pm |voco The Hague an IHG Hotel, The Hague
Saturday June 14th at 8:00pm | Theater Jansstraat 33, Haarlem | Ticket includes a drink after the show
Doors open half an hour before the performance time
Whether you are a fan of his music or never heard of him before you are sure to be enthralled by the depth and passion of Jacques Brel’s music and the simple melodies that bring them to life. Emotional in nature Brel’s songs encapsulate the human experience like few others.
A native of Belgium, Brel wrote primarily in French and found the footing for his career and consequential fame in Paris. After a rough struggle to find his footing he eventually came to be known as one of the preeminent writers and performers of Chanson, a lyric-driven French song.
Now his name and music often appear among other greats of the genre such as Edith Piaf, and Charles Aznavour.
Our Way’s production will include the English translations of several of Brel’s songs, with some performed in French as well as a smattering of Dutch.
Join us on our journey through the human experience as seen through Brel’s eyes and ears guided by four talented performers.
The evening will include some lesser know songs as well as some Brel standards such as Amsterdam, Carousel, and of course, Ne Me Quitte Pas.
Philippe Bernay
By day, Philippe works in Marketing. but his passion is for musical theatre. Starting in 2016 he played the role of Jamie in “The Last 5 Years”. After this, he was fortunate to land roles for some of the English-speaking theater companies in Amsterdam. These include a featured role in “Allegro” (InPlayers), and lead characters in “Monstersongs” (The Cauldron), “Cabaret”, “Into the Woods”, “Working”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Ordinary Days”, “Avenue Q”, “Be More Chill”, “Chicago”, “Spamalot” and “Blood Brothers” for Happily Ever After Productions which has become his artistic home.
(Photo Credit - Cheryl Hart)
Cécile Henrot
Originally from France where she translated Broadway musicals and performed from 2015 to 2021, Cécile joined the Amsterdam musical theater community in 2022. She has held various roles for the English-speaking theater community as a performer in “Monstersongs” and “Next Thing You Know”, production lead for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (The Cauldron), and band member (pianist) for “Addams Family” and “A ChorusLine” (Happily Ever After Productions).
(Photo Credit - Cheryl Hart)
Jonas Bouckaert
Jonas is a singer/actor/musical performer. He graduated from Fontys School of Performing Arts in Tilburg, with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theatre. During his studies he appeared as Andy Lee in his school production of 42nd Street. He has performed in numerous children’s theatre productions and street theatre shows (Efteling). He played the lead role of ‘Constanzo’ in The Pinocchio Dinner Show (The Efteling), and has also acted out historical tales of Amsterdam in the Amsterdam Dungeon. Jonas made his Dutch professional debut as ensemble/swing in the new Dutch musical Was Getekend, Annie M.G. Schmidt (Stage Entertainment Netherlands). He was seen as ‘the Emcee’ in Cabaret (QETC), Hannah From Hamburg in La Cage Aux Folles (QETC) and as ‘the Stranger’ in A Technology Demonstration (written and produced by Zena Wood).
(Photo Credit - Cheryl Hart)
Liesbeth Visee
Liesbeth is a Dutch singer and performer. She has performed with various musical theatre groups and choirs, and has been an active member of the English-speaking musical theatre scene in Amsterdam for the past few years. Recent productions include “La Cage Aux Folles” and” Song by Song by Sondheim” (QETC), “The Addams Family” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (The Cauldron).
(Photo Credit - Cheryl Hart)
Musical Director / Accompanist
Lori has been playing piano and music directing musicals everywhere she has lived including Utah, West Virginia, and the DC area in the US, and now in The Netherlands. Recent projects include “Blood Brothers”, “Cinderella”, “Ordinary Days” (Happily Ever After Productions), “Cabaret” (QETC), “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Next Thing You Know” (The Cauldron), and a concert performance of West Side Story with the Amsterdamse Tramharmonie. Lori now resides in Haarlem, where she teaches piano and drama classes. She can be found on Facebook for private lessons. Lori also plays jazz with Blue Tone Big Band and keytar with her husband, Andy, in the synthpop group Birmingham Electric.
(Photo Credit - Cheryl Hart)
Lori Evans
Director / Producer
George, an expat from the U.S., has spent his life in one or another aspect of the theatre. From working with children, teens and amateurs to his time spent in the professional world. He has produced, directed, performed, and worked as a lighting designer and technical director throughout a large number of diverse opportunities. That has seen him divide his time between being an artistic-director for three different theatre companies, directing everything from opera to children’s theater, and from musicals to film work.
(Photo Credit - Jeroen Idema)