 Jacques Brel's Lonesome Losers of the Night
Theo Ubique Theatre Co. at
No Exit Cafe
Chicago Tribune- Highly Recommended
"...As the barkeep, Jeremy Trager gives the songs their edge and drive. As Man 2 (who seems to be a soldier), the sad-eyed Eric Martin provides the melancholy. Chris Damiano, who plays the ambiguous Man 1 and is a gorgeous singer, offers the most lyrical, folksy interpretation, aptly in concert with Brel's Flemish roots. And Jenny Lamb is magnificent. Her Whore somehow manages to be both dead behind the eyes and alive with hope and vulnerability."
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Chris Jones
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
"...In addition to the exceptional performances, what makes the crucial difference here is Anzevino's use of Arnold Johnston's superb translations. A Western Michigan University professor, as well as a writer and actor, Johnston has translated and recorded much of the Brel repertoire, and clearly he possesses a rare gift -- one that carries Brel fans a long way from the somewhat cheesey versions of his songs found in "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," the hugely popular revue that first brought the songwriter to the attention."
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Hedy Weiss
Time Out Chicago- Somewhat Recommended
"...The song “Jef,” in which a guy tries to cheer up his brokenhearted pal, enthralled us when we didn’t completely know—and so had to imagine—the friend’s back story. It doesn’t when that story, as presented here, limits rather than illuminates: He can’t get over the hooker he only just met. “Ne Me Quitte Pas” soared when a gifted singer channeled it; the forsaken-lover classic barely glides when it’s rendered, strangely, a duet. (It ain’t really a song of loss if the lost love object is right there.) A talented trio of male crooners creates some very lovely music, yet in attempting more than cabaret, Lonesome Losers has achieved something less."
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Novid Parsi
Chicago Reader- Highly Recommended
"...Brel's rousing drinking songs and aching ballads suit the scruffy intimacy of Theo Ubique Theatre Company's cafe venue, and the fine young cast--Chris Damiani, Jenny Lamb, Eric Martin, and Jeremy Trager--deliver honest, emotionally detailed readings of Johnston's translations, which capture the potent imagery and dark humor of Brel's lyrics."
Albert Williams
NewCity Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...The result is a genuine ninety-minute masterpiece that eloquently speaks of life’s mysteries, pleasures and pains as only Brel could convey them. In fact, the material is so good, you suspect that despite the best efforts of a talented and spirited quartet, you begin to realize how totally transforming this stuff would be with singers a bit less masculine, operatic and contrasting in their approaches (there are three loud male baritones and only a single female soprano) and with some evocative orchestration beyond a far too literal piano and some sparse guitar."
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Dennis Polkow
Windy City Times- Highly Recommended
"...The four singers are veterans Jeremy Trager, Jenny Lamb, Eric Martin and Chicago newcomer Chris Damiano: attractive—even sexy—players who blend well together in several tight harmony sections and also have their individual moments to shine. Staging is relatively simple in the intimate No Exit Café (food and non-alcoholic drinks available), with a small bar set, the piano and the occasional use of café aisles. To close with the cliché, Lonesome Losers of the Night is a winner."
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Jonathan Abarbanel
Gay Chicago Magazine- Highly Recommended
"...More of a musical journey than narrative play, we move from song to song immersed in the feelings of the singers and their intimate interactions. Lovingly conceived by director Fred Anzevino and translator Arnold Johnson, and brilliantly executed by musical director/pianist Joshua Stephen Kartes and a stunning cast of four, this distinctive production harkens back to a time of raw musical vulnerability found in the musical musings and laments of torch songs, drinking ballads and anthems of friendship, reflection and love."
Venus Zarris
EpochTimes- Highly Recommended
"...Under the direction of Mr. Anzevino and the choreography of David Heimann, the little stage works great for this stellar cast. The piano is handled by the magic fingered Joshua Stephen Kartes, who is also the musical director. While this is unfamiliar music to most of us, we find ourselves caught up in it through the way Mr. Kartes makes it come alive."
Al Bresloff
Centerstage- Highly Recommended
"...Simply but effectively staged, lit and costumed, this well-acted and emotionally touching musical feast is everything you could ask for on a hot summer evening. Add to this a selection of soft drinks, coffees (or you may bring your own alcoholic beverages), dinner and dessert all served by the cast and you have a full evening's entertainment. From the swelling piano overture to the show's jazzy title song that bookends the piece, you're likely to become a fan of both Jacques Brel and this wonderful theater company, which was deservedly awarded the title of The Spirit of Rogers Park."
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Colin Douglas
ChicagoCritic- Highly Recommended
"...Brel’s “Lonesome Losers of the Night” is an emotionally wrenching and marvelously sung revue of seriously sad songs that reflect the feeling of the dregs of society and war-weary soldiers. There are truthful songs that capture the tone and sentiment of lost souls everywhere. The outstanding voices of this fabulous cast propel the emotions deftly."
Tom Williams
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