Alain Marcel (1952 — 9 March 2020) was an Algerian-born French music composer and author. An important figure of musical theatre and musical comedy in the 1980s, he notably adapted the French versions of Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me, Kate, and La Cage aux Folles.
Marcel studied musical theatre at the Conservatoire de Tours, then at the Conservatoire de Paris. He wrote his first song in 1975 when he was a student of Antoine Vitez.
Marcel initially acted in television and films, while also composing, producing, and appearing in theatrical productions such as Essayez donc nos pédalos and Rayon femmes fortes. In total, he was involved in 570 performances. Essayez donc nos pédalos was choreographed by Tonie Marshall, and it explored homosexuality while it was still criminal.
His greatest success was in the field of musical theatre. He starred in the French versions of Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me, Kate, and La Cage aux Folles. He performed at the Théâtre Déjazet, Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin, Casino de Paris, and Théâtre Mogador.
In the 2000s, Marcel gradually returned to music, composing music for the shows Le Paris d'Aziz et Mamadou, L'Opéra de Sarah (both at the Théâtre de l'Œuvre), and Encore un tour de pédalos.
Alain Marcel died on 9 March 2020, at the age of 68.
1982 · Talk
