In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the Co-Directors and the cast of Creative Cauldron’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, we meet cast member John Loughney.
Joel: Where have local theatregoers seen you before on the stage?
John: Most recently I played The Baker in NextStop Theatre’s production of Into the Woods. I’ve done a bunch of shows around town including productions at Keegan Theatre, NextStop, Savoyards, First Stage, and others.
Why did you want to be part of the cast of Jacques Brel… at Creative Cauldron?
I honestly didn’t know anything about the show, but heard great things from many people about it. I started doing some research online when I heard about the auditions and became fascinated with the music. Jacques Brel is a fascinating artist, to say the least.
Who is Jacques Brel and what do you admire most about his work? How would you describe a Jacques Brel song?
I don’t know how you can really describe him other than watch clips of him perform on YouTube. Seriously, look him up on YouTube. He was one of a kind, for sure.
How would you describe a Jacques Brel song?
Well, no song of his is like the other. Some are patter songs, some are ballads, some are social commentary. I think the one common element is that Brel has something different to say in each song, whether it’s regarding love or war, his unique point of view comes across.
What have been some of the challenges you have faced learning your songs and your roles?
Words, words, words. Brel was never short on things to say. Memorizing all of these lyrics has been one of the toughest theater endeavors I’ve had in recent memory. I don’t go to bed until I run through the lyrics each night. I think both myself and Alan have some major tongue tying songs.
What are your solos in the show?
“Alone,” “Mathilde,” “Statue,” “The Bulls,” and “Funeral Tango.” I won’t describe each of them, but “Funeral Tango” is one of my favorites as it’s told from the perspective of someone imagining how his friends, family will act when he dies. It’s a rather cryptic thing to think about, but it’s very much Brel’s type of humor.
What is your favorite solo that you are not singing?
“Sons of.” It’s one of his more beautiful ballads and it’s always in my head. Katie does an incredible job with it. “Marieke” would be another I admire.
What do you admire most about your fellow cast members?
What don’t I admire, honestly? They are all badasses in their own right. I’ll leave it at that.
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris plays through October 26, 2014 at Creative Cauldron- 410 South Maple Avenue, in Falls Church, VA. For tickets, call (703) 436-9948, or purchase them online.
LINKS
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well at Creative Cauldron: Meet Laura Connors Hull and Matt Conner.
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well at Creative Cauldron: Meet Katie McManus
Read Kim Moeller’s review on DCMetroTheaterArts.
https://youtu.be/Gosgf3nWjjs
