Jacques Brel Lives

Over the last 20 years I’ve had much success with “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” so truly, Dan Sullivan’s review can hardly affect me personally (“ ‘Jacques Brel’ Still Alive in Pasadena,” Aug. 19).

I’m writing for those who saw the show, cheered for it, loved it and thought it to be unique, and for the cast members who gave up greater financial opportunities in order to do “Brel.”

When it opened in 1968, the show proved that it was able to overcome the lack of comprehension and sensibility Sullivan showed to one of the world’s greatest songwriter-poets in his review of the show at that time.

Sullivan’s insistence on re-reviewing material that he admittedly dislikes instead of allowing another, objective reviewer to express his/her opinion is an outrageous setup. His relish in justifying his review of 20 years ago is unjust and unethical.

I kept Sullivan’s first review and will keep the present one as well among a collection of hundreds of rave reviews from New York, London, Paris, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, etc.

MONI YAKIM

Director, “Jacques Brel Is . . .”

Los Angeles