Digital Booklet - Closer Than Ever (

8/10/2019 Digital Booklet - Closer Than Ever (

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T H E YO R K T H E A T R E C O M P A N YJAMES MORGAN, PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ANDREW LEVINE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR W. DAVID MCCOY, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

IN ASSOCIATION WITH EDWARD NEGLEY, NEIL BERG &ADAM FRIEDSON

PRESENT

LYRICS BYRICHARD MALTBY, JR. MUSIC BYDAVID SHIRE

CONCEIVED BYRICHARD MALTBY, JR.ANDSTEVEN SCOTT SMITH

STARRING JENN COLELLA GEORGE DVORSKY CHRISTIANE NOLL SAL VIVIANO

SCENIC DESIGN JAMES MORGAN COSTUME DESIGN NICOLE WEE LIGHTING DESIGN KIRK BOOKMAN

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR WYATT KUETHER ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHER EMILY MORGAN

CASTING MUNGIOLI THEATRICALS: ARNOLD J. MUNGIOLI, CSA GENERAL PRESS REPRESENTATIVE O&M CO.

MARKETING RED RISING MARKETING CO-DIRECTED BY STEVEN SCOTT SMITH

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER NIKI ARMATO PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER BERNITA ROBINSON

ADDITIONAL VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS PATRICK SCOTT BRADY

ORIGINALLY PRODUCED OFF-BROADWAY BY JANET BRENNER, MICHAEL GILLAND DARYL ROTH

DEVELOPED AT THE WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL

MUSIC DIRECTION BY ANDREW GERLE ASSOCIATE DIRECTION & CHOREOGRAPHY BY KURT STAMM

DIRECTED BY RICHARD MALTBY, JR.

JAMESMORGAN


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Act One : CD1

1. DOORSCompany

2. SHE LOVES ME NOTSal, Christianeand George

3. YOU WANNA BE MY FRIENDGeorgeand Jenn

4. WHAT AM I DOING?Sal

5. THE BEAR, THE TIGER, THE HAMSTER ANDTHE MOLEChristiane

6. ILL GET UP TOMORROW MORNINGGeorge

7. MISS BYRDJenn

8. TRANSITIONGeorge

9. DATING AGAINCompany

10. ONE OF THE GOOD GUYSSal

11. THERES NOTHING LIKE ITCompany

12. LIFE STORYChristiane

13. NEXT TIMEGeorgeI WOULDNT GO BACKChristianeand Company

Act Two : CD2

1. THREE FRIENDSChristiane, Jennand George

2. FANDANGOChristiane and Sal

3. THEREJenn and George

4. TRANSITION 2Sal

5. PATTERNSChristiane

6. THERE IS SOMETHING IN A WEDDINGCompany

7. ANOTHER WEDDING SONG**Sal and Jenn

8. IF I SING* George9. BACK ON BASE**Jenn and Danny

10. THE MARCH OF TIMECompany

11. FATHERS OF FATHERSSal, Georgeand Andrew

12. ITS NEVER THAT EASYChristianeIVE BEEN HERE BEFOREJenn

13. CLOSER THAN EVERCompany

CAST

JENN COLELLA WOMAN 1

CHRISTIANE NOLL WOMAN 2

SAL VIVIANO MAN 1

GEORGE DVORSKYMAN 2

Music Director/Piano: ANDREW GERLE

Bass:ALAN STEVENS HEWITT and DANNY WELLER

*Lyrics by RICHARD MALTBY, JR. and DAVID SHIRE**Lyrics by DAVID SHIRE

Understudies: JAMIE LAVERDIEREand RITA HARVEY


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about the satisfactions, regrets and anxieties felt by people who have reached an age when

it is too late to start over.

Oh, we thought, so thats the show we wrote. Who knew?

The recording went out into the world and made a lot of friends. We hear repeatedly that for

students in music and theatre programs around the country, this was the album they wore out,

listening to over and over. The show was produced countless times around the country and the

world. It connected with people. Once again, who knew? It has always seemed remarkable tome that we go into the theatre in order to communicate with people, to connect, yet when the

connection takes place, were never there.

Twenty years later, Neil Berg came to us with the conviction that it was time for CLOSER THAN

EVER to be revived in New York. After some initial reluctance, David and I agreed, particularly

when it occurred to us that the brilliant original cast was now the proper age to perform some of

this material. After a brief tryout with the remarkable Sally Mayes and Lynne Wintersteller, however,

when the York Theatre production came along, none of the original cast were available to do

it. So we had to recast. We were very nervous because we had scheduled only a two-week

rehearsal period, and these tricky songs take two weeks just to memorize, much less perform. ButI called two of our favorite actresses, Jenn Colella and Christiane Noll and astonishingly, they

both instantly said yes. And at that moment, the show began another life.

Knowing how hard this material can be, I gave the ladies just two notes. One: inhabit the part.

Be the person in the song and dont predetermine what will come out of you as a result. And

two: dont let any words or phrases go by on the way to words that really matter. Find something

in those secondary words as well -- humor, complexity, a contrasting thought. Little did I know

personal choices, surprising new meanings. It was, I found myself saying over and over again, a

revelation. I have always loved the performances of the original cast (and I still do), but suddenlyhere were other interpretations, other truths, other human beings living these stories. Often it felt

as if David and I had never seen these songs before.

The ladies were joined after a week by the two men who had done the tryout, George Dvorsky

and Sal Viviano. Inspired and I feel sure intimidated by the ladies, the men went on the same

journey, rethinking every sentence, rediscovering new connections between themselves and the

material. The show was a living thing, growing and reshaping itself in the minds of new artists

We made a few structural changes as well. THE SOUND OF MUZAK, the only out-and-out

non-character-driven revue number, was replaced by DATING AGAIN, about newly-divorced


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people in their forties rejoining the singles pool a subject certainly on topic. LIKE A BABY was

in fact never really in the show (although it is on the album), since it was replaced a week after

the show opened by ILL GET UP TOMORROW MORNING, which for some unknown reason we

didnt record. SOMETHING IN A WEDDING had been rehearsed for the original production but not

included. Now the entire show was on its theme.

performances. When the show opened on June 20, 2012, CLOSER THAN EVER got the most

a half-page to praising it. Since the show was based on people in the 1980s, David and I were

worried that the songs might have the tang of an earlier age. But every review spoke about how

timely the material was. The adult issues in the songs, it turns out, are universal, and the show

hadnt seemed to age at all.

But the most remarkable aspect of the production was the audience reaction. Maybe it was a

new reaction by new audiences seeing the show in a different time, or maybe it was because

response from the audience was palpable. There were many tears, many faces shining with joy.People would come up to us after the show and say Thank you. Not Congratulations, not

said it, we came to realize that the show had to be speaking to people in some way that they

didnt often see addressed in the theatre bringing them to events, emotions, experiences they

related to deeply, and were surprised to see dramatized. It was remarkable -- and gratifying in a

way that David and I had never experienced.

But the reaction that delighted us most was simply this. People who had fallen in love with the

show twenty years ago as students and were coming back to re-experience an old friend would

come up and say, So thats what the songs are about!We are grateful to John Yap and Jay Records for being able to bring this new and updated

recording to you, and of course to the York Theatre (James Morgan and Andrew Levine), to

Neil Berg and his partner Adam Friedson, to Music Theatre International, and to our friends and

supporters Marty and Perry Granoff, Ted and Mary Jo Shen, for making the new production

happen at all. CLOSER THAN EVER has grown up. It is indeed a living thing. David and I feel

reassured that it will continue to live and breath and speak to audiences in new ways now and,

well, into the future.

Richard Maltby jr. New York 2013


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Act One : CD1

1. DOORS

MAN 1

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WOMAN 2

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

MAN 2

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WOMAN 2

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

MAN 1

IN FRONT OF ME NOW

WOMAN 1

IN FRONT OF ME

ALL

IS AN OPEN DOOR

IM MOVING AHEAD

NOT SURE OF THE WAY

AND YET THERES A LIGHT THAT IM HEADING FOR

MAN 1

ITS CLOSER THAN EVER

WOMAN 1

CLOSER THAN EVER

MAN 2

CLOSER THAN EVER

WOMAN 2

CLOSER THAN EVER

ALL

CLOSER AND CLOSER AND CLOSER AND CLOSER

AND

WOMAN 1

FRESH OUT OF BED YOUR LIFE IS OUTRACING YOU

THERE DEAD AHEAD ANOTHER ONES FACING YOU

SEEMS LIKE AT TIMES THEYRE PRACTICALLY CHASING YOU

EVRYWHERE ANOTHER DOOR

MAN 2

ONE DAY THE DOORS ARE LOCKED

AND YOURE SICK OF EM

NEXT DAY THEYRE YOURS

AND YOU HAVE YOUR PICK OF EM

FINDING THE PROPER KEY

THATS THE TRICK OF EM

MAN 2 and WOMAN 1

EVRY DAY ANOTHER DOOR

WOMAN 2

DOORS TO A PLACE THAT NO ONE KNOWS

MAN 1

DOORS THAT ARE OPNINGS

DOORS THAT CLOSE

WOMAN 2

DOORS THAT YOU PASS THROUGH EVRY DAY

MAN 1

TURN INTO DOORS THAT BAR THE WAY

ALL

DOORS TO KEEP OUT THE CHILL OF NIGHT

DOORS TO KEEP SECRETS LOCKED UP TIGHT

JUST WHEN YOU HAVE THINGS SET

WHEN ITS ALL IN PLACE

WHEN YOUR LIFE IS GOOD

THERES ANOTHER ...

WOMEN

DOOR


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From left to right: George Dvorsky, Christiane Noll, Sal Viviano, Jenn Colella


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MEN

DOORWAYS ARE GOOD

THEY CAN BE ENLIGHTENING

DOORWAYS CAN CHANGE YOU,

WHICH ISNT FRIGHTENING

SO TELL ME WHY MY STOMACH IS TIGHTENING

LOOKING AT ANOTHER DOORA DOOR

WOMEN

DOORS CAN BE WIDE, YES, THAT CAN BE VERIFIED

MOVING OUTSIDE, THE AIR CAN BE RAREFIED

I WANT TO GO BUT WHY AM I TERRFIED

LOOKING AT ANOTHER DOOR?

MAN 1 and WOMAN 2

WHATS ON THE OTHER SIDE YES WHAT?

MAN 2 and WOMAN 1

SOMETHING I WANT AND HAVENT GOT

MAN 1 and WOMAN 2

OVER THE THRESHOLD, THERES MY SHOT

MAN 2 and WOMAN 1

WILL I GO IN THERE?

ALL

I WILL NOT

MAYBE A BRAND NEW JOB AWAITSTWENTY OR THIRTY DIFFRENT FATES

ILL BE IN CHARGE AT LAST

GET MY LIFE IN SHAPE

AND WHEN ALL THAT ENDS

THERES ANOTHER DOOR

WHATS IN THE SKIES FROM BOSTON TO FLORIDA?

HIGH RISES RISING, EACH BEING HORRIDER

WHAT HITS YOUR EYES AS YOU HIT A CORRIDOR?

NOTHING BUT A WALL OF DOORS

WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE TO SEE

WHAT IS HIDING THERE?

ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE JUST COINCIDING THERE

WHAT KINDS OF SECRET LIVES ARE RESIDING THERE

LINING UP BEHIND THOSE DOORS?

WOMAN 1

WHATS GOING ON INSIDE THOSE ROOMS?

MEN

KINKY BEHAVIOR ONE PRESUMES

WOMAN 2

HERE THERES A SPINSTER WITH HER CATS

MAN 2

NEXT DOOR, A KID WHO SLEEPS ON MATS

MAN 1 and WOMAN 2

HERE THERES A FAMLY BLAND AS PIEMAN 2 and WOMAN 1

NEXT DOOR A GIRL WHOS ONCE A GUY

ALL

WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE TO BUY

SOME ELECTRIC EYE

THAT WOULD LET YOU SPY

ON WHATS BEHIND THOSE

PEOPLE YOU NEVER MET

WHO ARE NOT LIKE YOU

WHO ARE JUST LIKE YOU

ARE BEHIND THOSE.




THERES ANOTHER DOOR

EVERY DAY ANOTHER DOOR


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2. SHE LOVES ME NOT

MAN 1

SHE LOVES ME NOT

SHE DOESNT LOVE ME

SHE THINKS NOT HIGHLY OF ME

IT CANT BE TRUE

THERES SOME CONFUSIONIF I LOVE HER HOW CAN SHE LOVE ME NOT?

IF I LOVE HER

SHE OUGHT TO LOVE ME

WOMAN 2

HE LOVES ME NOT

HE DOESNT LOVE ME

HE THINKS NOT HIGHLY OF ME

IT CANT BE TRUE

THERES SOME CONFUSION

IF I LOVE HIM HOW CAN HE

NOT LOVE ME?

MAN 1

ALL RIGHT SHE ISNT IN LOVE

SO SHE CANT EVEN STAND ME

SHED NEVER HOLD ME

MY MOTHER HAS OFTEN TOLD ME

IF SOMETHING ENDS IN A MESS

JUST SAY IVE LEARNED MY LESSON

I SWEAR, ILL NEVER, NEVER FALL IN LOVE

UNLESS SOMEONE ELSE LOVES ME

YET ISNT IT NICE TO DREAM

WOMAN 2

IF I COULD REACH OUT

AND HOLD HIS HAND

HED SMILE

THEN HE WOULD KNOW I LOVE HIM

THEN HE WOULD GLADLY TAKE MY LOVE

I KNOW HE WANTS TO SAY

THAT HE LOVES ME

MAN 1

IF I COULD ONLY REACH OUT

AND HOLD HER HAND

IM SURE SHED LOVE ME

IM SURE SHE COULD

BUT I GIVE LOVE

FOR WHAT?

WOMAN 2

BUT WHAT DOES HE SAY

HE SAYS HE

MAN 2

HE LOVES ME NOT

HE DOESNT LOVE ME

HE THINKS NOTHIGHLY OF ME

IT CANT BE TRUE

THERES SOME

CONFUSION

IF I LOVE HIM

HOW CAN

HE LOVE ME NOT

MAN 1

POOR ME

I GUESS IVE LOST THE WAR

WHATS LIVING FOR?

MUST I SIT ALONE

AND WASTE AWAY CRYING

ID RATHER DIE

THAN SAY MY LOVE

LOVES ME NOT


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WOMAN 2

HE SAYS HE ISNT IN LOVE

HE KNOWS I DONT BELIEVE IT

HE KNOWS I HAVE THE FEVER

HE KNOWS THAT ILL

NEVER LEAVE HIM

EVEN IF HE DIDNT CARE

ID BE THERE

WAVING A BANNER TO HIM

THOUGH I KNOW

HE LOVES ME NOT

MEN

HE/SHE LOVES ME NOT

ITS BEST TO FACE IT

ITS GONE

WOMAN 2

ITS GONE

AND WHO CAN TRACE IT

MAN 2

HE OUGHT TO LOVE ME

MAN 1

MY LIFE IS YOURS

WOMAN 2

MY LIFES YOURS

MAN 2

MY LIFE IS YOURS

ALL

FOR THE ASKING

WOMAN 2

AND YET HE LOVES

MAN 1

YET SHE LOVES

MAN 2

YET HE LOVES

ALL

ME NOT

3. YOU WANT TO BE MY FRIEND

MAN 2

YOURE SO GOOD

YOURE TOO GOOD FOR ME YOU ARE

YOURE THE BEST DAMN PERSON

I HAVE KNOWN BY FAR

IF I COULD

YOU KNOW ID NEVER THROW THIS CURVE

YOURE A GODDESS

AND IM NOT WHAT YOU DESERVE

WHAT I AM SAYING IS

OUR THING MUST END

BUT THOUGH IT MUST

I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND

WOMAN 1

Friend? Friend?YOU WANNA BE MY FRIEND?

YOU WANNA BE MY FRIEND?

WELL, THATS NICE

YOU WANNA BE MY FRIEND

I HAVE FRIENDS I KNOW FROM COLLEGE

HIGH SCHOOL PALS THAT I STILL SEE

I HAVE SISTERS IN SORORTIES

CROSS THE COUNTRY FOND OF ME

TWO CHUMS THAT DATE FROM GRADE SCHOOL


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ONE WHOLE FAMLY FROM ST. PAUL

THERE ARE KIDS I KNOW FROM SUMMER CAMP

WHO STILL GIVE ME A CALL

I HAVE FRIENDS FROM WHEN I LIVED IN PARIS

AND MY SINGLES CRUISE

I HAVE FIVE OLD BOYFRIENDS

WHO STILL CALL ME UP TO SCHMOOZE

I HAVE BUDDIES FROM THE LAB IN BOSTON

COLLEAGUES FROM THE ZOO

I HAVE GOT AN AUNT IN CLEVELAND

THAT I ALWAYS CAN TURN TO

I GOT ENOUGH FRIENDS!!!!

MAN 2

Perhaps I should be going

WOMAN 1

You stay right here!



WELL, IM TOUCHED

HE WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND

I WANT A LOVER AND A HUSBAND

AND A PARTNER AND A SPOUSE

I WANT SOMEONE TO SPLIT EXPENSES WITH ME

ON A SUMMER HOUSEI WANT A FATHER FOR MY UNBORN CHILDREN

SOMEONE WHOS IN TUNE

AND SINCE ILL BE THIRTY-NINE NEXT MONTH

I WANT HIM RATHER SOON

I WANT SOMEONE TO BUY RUGS AND LAMPS WITH

SOMEONE WHOLL CO-SIGN

I WANT A SMALL JOINT BANK ACCOUNT

IN HIS NAME AND IN MINE

I NEED SOMEONE I CAN FIGHT WITH

LEARN TO COOK WITH

LOVE TO FEED

COME TO THINK OF IT

THERES ONLY ONE THING THAT I DO NOT NEED:

I DONT NEED ANOTHER FRIEND!!!

MAN 2

I really think I

WOMAN 1

You stay right there!

MAN 2

I deserve this, youre right. Youre such a wonderful

person and Im

WOMAN 1

I DONT NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU IM PERFECT

THEN END UP ALL WETI AM TIRED OF BEING THE GREATEST GIRL

A MAN HAS EVER MET

But I dont want to make a commitment to you

HA! CANT YOU SEE?

YOU DONT WANT TO TELL THE TRUTH, OH NO

YOU JUST WANT OUT FROM ME

YES, I KNOW INSIDE YOURE FRAGILE

YES, YOUR MOTHER WAS A MESS

IF THATS WHYYOU CANT RECEIVE A WOMANS LOVE

I COULD CARE LESS

I DONT NEED TO KNOW ITS YOUR FAULT

HAVE SOME BALLS

IT DOESNT FIT

YOURE NOT SICK, DEPRIVED,

MISUNDERSTOOD OR WEAK

YOURE JUST A SHIT

And you wanna be my friend?


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Whod want you as a friend?

Say, is my name on this lease?

MAN 2

Huh?

WOMAN 2

Is my name on this lease?

MAN 2Yeah.

WOMAN 2

Then get out of my apartment!

Git!

4. WHAT AM I DOING?

MAN 1

SHE WAS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE WOMANAND ONE NIGHT WE BOTH SET OURSELVES FREE

I COULD FEEL ALL THE POWER INSIDE HER

AND SHE SEEMED TO RELEASE IT TO ME

THEN SHE SUDDENLY SAID I CANT SEE HER

AND THE THOUGHT OF IT DROVE ME INSANE

SO I FIND UP A TREE I AM CREEPING

TO THE ROOF OVER WHERE SHE IS SLEEPING

AND I SIT THERE ALL NIGHT IN THE RAIN

AND IM THINKING

WHAT AM I DOIN UP ON A ROOF?

WHAT AM I DOING OUT IN THE RAIN?

WHAT KIND OF FEELINGS MAKE A MAN BLIND?

WHAT AM I DOING OUT OF MY MIND WITH LOVE?

And her father and my father are down on the

lawn and theyre shouting:

WHAT IS HE DOIN UP ON A ROOF?

WHAT IS HE DOIN OUT IN THE RAIN?


WHAT KIND GUY GOES OUT OF HIS MIND WITH LOVE?

I DECIDED THAT ID LEARNED MY LESSON

I REJOINED ALL THE SENSIBLE MEN

NOW NO MATTER HOW TEMPTING THE WOMEN

I WONT EVER GO CRAZY AGAIN

WHEN IM SAFE AND ALONE IN MY BEDROOMTHANKING GOD IM NOT SHAKING AND WET

I THINK BACK TO THE NIGHT I FELT TINGLES

HOLDING TIGHT NOT TO SLIDE DOWN THE SHINGLES

FEELING FEELINGS ILL NEVER FORGET

AND I WISH I WAS SAYING:

WHAT AM I DOIN UP ON A ROOF?

WHAT AM I DOIN OUT IN THE RAIN?


WHAT AM I DOIN OUT OF MY MIND WITHWHAT AM I DOIN TAILING HER CAR?

WHAT AM I DOIN INSIDE HER BUSHES?

WHAT AM I DOINCOVERED WITH MUD?

WHAT AM I DOIN OUT OF MY MIND WITH LOVE,

WITH LOVE

WHAT AM I DOIN?

WHAT AM I DOIN STEALIN HER SCARF?

WHAT AM I DOIN SNIFFIN HER PERFUME?

WHAT AM I DOIN SIFTIN HER TRASH?

WHAT AM I DOIN TESTIN HER DOORKNOB

DIALIN HER PHONE

TRAMPLING HER TULIPS

BUGGIN HER FRIENDS

PETTIN HER DOG?

OH! WHAT AM I DOIN

OUT OF MY MIND WITH LOVE

WHAT AM I DOIN OUT OF MY MIND

WITH LOVE?


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5. THE BEAR, THE TIGER,

THE HAMSTER AND THE MOLE

WOMAN 2

STOP!

ALL RIGHT, THATS IT!

THATS THE ONE THAT DOES IT

IVE HAD IT WITH THAT SONG AND DANCE

A MAN MUST THIS AND A WOMAN MUST THAT

TILL RELATIONSHIPS DONT STAND A CHANCE

IM SORRY TO SHOUT

BUT IM UP TO HERE

WITH ALL THAT CRAP ABOUT MAN AND WIFE

FOR I THANK GOD AM A SCIENTIST

AND I KNOW THE REAL FACTS OF LIFE

LIKE A SOUL POSSESSED

I HAVE STUDIED AND ASSESSED

THE CREATURES OF THIS EARTH

AND FROM MOOSE TO EEL

WHAT MY STUDIES MOST REVEAL

IS THE MALES INFLATED WORTH

FOR IN MOST OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

THE LADIES ONLY SELDOM NEED MEN

THEIR DEALINGS ARE STRAIGHT

THEY MEET THEM TO MATE

AND NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN

THE BEAR, THE TIGER, THE HAMSTER AND THE MOLE

HAVE FEMALES WHO LIVE FRUITFUL LIVES

OUTSIDE OF MALE CONTROL

FOR ONE MINDLESS SPASM

THEY ALLOW THE MALE HIS ROLE

THATS MARRIAGE FOR THE TIGER, BEAR AND HAMSTER

NOW THE MOLE, WHOS BLIND

WILL NEVER BE CONFINED

TO ONE MALE SHES MERELY FELT

ONCE HIS SEED IS SOWN

SHE HAS HER BABES ALONE

IN THE HOLE WHERE THE MALE MOLE DWELT

AND AS FOR THE BOA CONSTRICTOR

SHE NEEDS NO MORE THAN ONE MALE RESPONSEFOR WHEN IT APPEARS

SHE STORES IT FOR YEARS

TO USE WHENEVER SHE WANTS

THE RAY, THE RHINO, THE PENGUIN AND THE TERN

THOSE FEMALES KNOW THAT MOTHERHOOD

IS NOT A MALE CONCERN

OF COURSE THEYRE NOT HUMAN,

BUT THEY SHOW WHAT WE CAN LEARN

THEY POINT THE WAY, THE RHINO, RAY AND PENGUININ A FIELD OR BROOK

ALMOST ANYWHERE YOU LOOK

ARE MOTHERS ON THEIR OWN

IN THE DEEP, ON HIGH

MOTHERS KISS THEIR MATES GOOD-BYE

AND THEY RAISE THEIR YOUNG ALONE

NOW I MAKE NO BRIEF FOR THE MANTIS

WHO DECAPITATES HER MATE DURING SEX

BUT I DO LIKE THE AUK

WHO MATES WITH A SQUAWK

AND THEN THROWS ROCKS AT HER EX

THE BITCH, THE VIXEN, THE QUEEN BEE AND THE SHREW

WHAT MEN HAVE DONE TO THOSE FINE WORDS

WE NEVER CAN UNDO

THEYRE STRONG WORKING MOTHERS


14/47

YES THEYRE JUST LIKE ME AND YOU

LETS REDEFINE THE SHREW, THE BITCH AND VIXEN

AND BELIKE THE SEAGULL

ROAM FREEAS THE LYNX

AND CRUISELIKE THE CARIBOUSIF WE CHOOSE

AND NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THOSE SLY LITTLE WINKS

FROM SOME MAN WHO ENVIES THE SEX LIFE OF MINKS

AND NOT HAVE TO GUESS IF HES ONE OF THE FINKS

OR WHETHER HE DRINKS

OR WHETHER HE STINKS

OR WHAT HE THINKS

OF ME

NOW, OF COURSE IF FATE

SHOULD PUT UPON MY PLATE

THAT QUINTESSENTIAL MALE

I WOULD STICK LIKE GLUEYES, I WOULD BE AS TRUE

AS ANY BEAVER, OWL OR WHALE

BUT TILL THEN ILL ENVY THE OYSTER

WHO LIVES A HAPPY LIFE ON THE SHELF

WHEN SHE WANTS A TERM

SHE RELEASES SOME SPERM

AND FERTILIZES HERSELF

THE HARE, THE CONDOR, THE GUPPY AND THE BREAM

THEYRE ALL OUT THERE DOINGWHAT HUMANS ONLY DREAM

COME MARCH TOWARD THE FUTURE

ON MY SCIENTIFIC TEAM

FOR NOW THAT YOUVE SEEN AND CAN COMPARE

WHY ANYONE WITH THE WILL TO DARE

CAN FOLLOW THE TIGER AND THE BEAR

AND HAMSTER

AND MOLE

AND ME!

6. ILL GET UP TOMORROW

MORNING

MAN 2

IM LATE FOR WORK,

OF COURSE THE CAR WONT START

THE BRAND NEW D.V.R. JUST FELL APARTI MEET MY BOSS WITH COFFEE ON MY PANTS

MY WIFE ANNOUNCES SHE WANTS MORE ROMANCE

BUT DOES THE ODD CATASTROPHE AMAZE ME?

OH NO, MERE CATACLYSM DOESNT FAZE ME

ILL GET UP TOMORROW MORING

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

AND GO ON

WHEN PROBLEMS COME MY WAY, AS WELL THEY MUST

IM PROUD TO SAY I NOW HOW TO ADJUST

MY TEN YEAR OLDS BEST FRIEND IS SMOKING POT

THE ROOF WILL COST TEN GRAND I HAVENT GOT

MY DAUGHTER SAYS THE ACTING BUG JUST BIT HER

MY TEENAGE SON IS SLEEPING WITH THE SITTER

ILL GET UP TOMORROW MORNING

MAKE A GREAT BIG BULL SHOT

DRINK IT

AND GO ON

AND THEN, OF COURSE THERES MY AMAZING WIFE

THAT MYSTERY WOMAN TIED TO ME FOR LIFE

I NEVER KNOW WHOLL GREET ME AT MY HOUSE

THE BROKER OF THE MONTH OR MINNIE MOUSE

SHE SAYS SHE LOVES HER JOB, AND I BELIEVE HER

AND THEN SHE TAKES A CLASS

AND SHES THIS.WEAVER


SAY THE PAST IS PRELUDE


15/47

STAY LOOSE, DROP A QUAALUDE

AND GO ON

AT TIMES I THINK THAT I AM RATHER BRAVE

FOR SMILING AS I NEAR AN EARLY GRAVE

BUT I DO NOT WANT POINTS FOR HAVING HOPE

I HAVE THIS LITTLE TRICK THAT HELPS ME COPE

IT ISNT AVANT-GARDE OR EVEN TRENDY

ITS JUST THIS ONE MANS MODUS OPERANDI:NO MATTER HOW MY STOMACH MAY BE CHURNING

OR WHAT NEW LESSON IM AGAIN RE-LEARNING


TAKE A HOT BATH, DO MY PUSH-UPS

FEED THE PUPPIES, EAT MY OAT BRAN

THROW UP

AND GO ONNNNNNNNNNN.AAAAAGH

7. MISS BYRD

WOMAN 1

THE SIGN SAYS IM MISS BYRD

AND THATS MY NAME

IM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE

WHO ALL LOOK THE SAME

AT WORK IM HARDLY SEEN

I COME AND GO

BUT I KNOW SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DONT KNOW

EVERYONE WHO SEES ME THINKS

THAT IM THAT DULL MISS BYRD

I COULD BLOW THAT MYTH APART

BUT I DONT SAY A WORD

I SIT HERE AT MY DESK

AND NO ONE KNOWS

NOT TWENTY MINUTES AGO

I WAS NOT WEARING CLOTHES

I WAS IN SOMEONES ARMS, IN SOMEONES BED

OH, WHAT THE THOUGHT OF IT DOES TO MY HEAD

IF ITS TRUE A BIRD MAKES MUSIC

WHEN HER HEART TAKES WING

THIS BIRD IS SINGING

MISS BYRD IS SINGING

IM SINGING, IM IN LOVE!

BUT IM NOT SAYIN A THINGUH ... UH! ...

HMM ... HMM ...

OOOH ... OOOH ...

DOWN IN APARTMENT A

THE SUPERS APTLY NAMED

LAST WEEK I WENT TO THE BASEMENT

MORE HOURS THAN I CLAIMED

HE SAYS IM SUPER TOO

HE CALLS ME HOT --

I SHOW THOSE BASEMENT APARTMENTS A LOT

BACK AT WORK IM CRISP AND FRESH

RELIABLE MISS BYRD

SEALS ARE DANCING IN MY FLESH

BUT I DONT SAY A WORD

IM SHOWING PENTHOUSE C

AS I BEGIN

I STILL FEEL HIS HANDS SLIDING OVER MY SKIN

MY NIPPLES START TO THROB

INSIDE MY BRATHATS WHEN I START TO GO LA-DAH-DI-DAH

IF YOUVE NEVER FELT THE LIFT

A LITTLE LUNCH CAN BRING

THIS BIRD IS SINGING


IM SINGING, IM ON FIRE!

BUT IM NOT SAYING A THING


16/47

OH, NO, NO, NO, NO, AYE, AYE, AYE, AYE

My Spanish Harlem me hombre guappo

THIS IS A FLOOR-THRU FIVE

I CALL IT MORE A SIX

THE BROKEN KITCHENETTE TILES THEY WILL FIX

LOTS OF GIRLS WHO FIRST SEEM SHY

HAVE SECRETS I HAVE FOUNDIF YOU THINK IM SPECIAL

I SUGGEST YOU LOOK AROUND

THAT LITTLE OFFICE TEMP

WHO SEEMS SO DUMB

HOW COME A TRIP TO MACDONALDS

IS MAKING HER HUM?

AND MRS SMITH IN SALES

WHOS TURNING GRAY

WHY IS SHE SMILING THAT CURIOUS WAY?

IF ITS TRUE THE DRABBEST SONGBIRDS

COME ALIVE IN SPRING

THE BIRDS ARE SINGING


IM SINGING

IM IN LOVE!

BUT IM NOT SAYING A THING

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOMums the word

LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA

LA, LA, LA, LA, LA

Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard? Ungh!

Shi-ga-boo, Shi-ga-boo, Shi-ga-boo ...

Shh!

Sssssss!

8. TRANSITION 1

MAN 2




THERES ANOTHER DOOR

9. DATING AGAIN

WOMEN

DATING AGAIN

WOMAN 2

WHAT A JOY TO BE

WOMEN

DATING AGAIN

WOMAN 1BOY OH BOY, TO SIT THERE

CHURNING OUT THE SMALL TALK

WITH SOMEONE WHO IS ALL TALK

AND BORING

WOMAN 2

WAITING AGAIN

FOR SOME GUY ILL BE HATING AGAIN

HOW I TRY TO BE ALL POSITIVE AND PERKY

AND PRAY HES MERELY QUIRKYIM SNORING

WOMAN 1

WHO FIXED ME UP WITH HIM?

WISHING AGAIN

IM NOT FORCED TO GO

FISHING AGAIN

WOMEN

IM DIVORCED AND SO

IM SITTING SMILING VAINLY


17/47

AT SOMEONE WHOS SO PLAINLY

MISTER WRONG

WOMAN 1

HIS EYES START TO GLOW THERE

WOMAN 2

I THINK I DONT WANNA GO THERE

WOMAN 1THIS WAS OVER AT HELLO THERE

LETS DANCE

WOMEN

IM DATING AGAIN

SINGING THAT OLD SINGLE GIRLS SONG

MAN 2

Hello, you must be Tiffany

MEN

DATING AGAIN

MAN 1

HOLY SMOKES I AM

MEN

DATING AGAIN

MAN 2

MAKIN JOKES

AS I INVITE HER TO SOME GUY PLACE

THEN LURE HER BACK TO MY PLACE

EXHAUSTING

WOMAN 1

(Laughs)

MAN 1

SKATING AGAIN

ON THIN ICE

TO THINK OF MATING AGAIN

ISNT NICE

THERES ALL THAT GET TO KNOW YOU TENSION

WOMAN 2

Lobster!

MAN 1

AND ALSO, DID I MENTION WHAT ITS COSTING

WOMAN 2

Sixty dollars!

MENSEE YOU AT EIGHT

MAN 2

OH GOD, IM DATING AGAIN

YES, IM NERVOUS

TO BE DATING AGAIN

MEN

DATING SERVICE

SAYS SHES AGILE AS A FENCER

AND SMART ENOUGH FOR MENSAWELL, THEYRE WRONG

MAN 2

I FEEL A TINGLE

MAN 1

BUT IM WONDERIN WHILE WE MINGLE

MEN

WHYS SHES FORTY AND STILL SINGLE?

MAN 2

LETS DANCE

MEN

IM DATING AGAIN

SINGING THAT OLD SINGLE GUYS SONG

WOMEN

DATING AGAIN

MEN

(DATING AGAIN)


18/47

WOMEN

FINDING SOMEONES TICS

GRATING AGAIN

MEN

(GRATING AGAIN)

WOMEN

USING UP MY TRICKS

MAN 2

I THINK BE WARY, KIDDO

SHES SO YOUNG TO BE A WIDOW

IM FREAKING

MEN

DYING AGAIN

WOMEN

(DYING AGAIN)

MAN 1

THROUGH ANOTHER SNOOZER

TRYING AGAIN

WOMEN

(TRYING AGAIN)

MAN 2

NOT TO SEEM A LOSER

WOMAN 2

WILL HE FIND ME LOGY

WOMAN 1

OR SAGGY

MEN

OR A FOGY WHOS CREAKING

ALL

THATS WHAT YOU THINK

WHEN YOU ARE

DATING AGAIN

BEATING ALL THE DRUMS

IM DATING AGAIN

THEN THE MOMENT COMES

WHEN THAT OLD SIREN GOES OFF

AND YOU MUST TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF

OH, MY GOD!MAN I

IM PRETTY TRIM

WOMAN 2

I KEEP IN SHAPE

MAN 2

I JOINED A GYM

WOMAN 1

BUT DID I TRIM ENOUGH FOR HIM?ALL

LETS DANCE

MAN 2

I DO KARATE

MAN 1

BUT THIS GIRL IS SUCH A HOTTIE

WOMEN

AND HES CHECKING OUT MY BODY

ALL

LETS DANCE

MEN

SAYING OH I LOVE IT

TO THINGS I REALLY DONT

WOMEN

WONDRING IF HELL CALL ME

AND HOPING THAT HE WONT


19/47

ALL

FAKING AGAIN

QUAKING CAUSE IM

SWEATING AGAIN

FRETTING CAUSE IM

DATING AGAIN

AND SINGING THIS HATEFUL OLD SONG

10. ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS

MAN 1

RIGHT HERE YOU SEE

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS

ONE OF THE NICE ONES

WITH SENSIBLE DRIVES

WHAT ELSE COULD I BE?

IM ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS

WHO PLAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN

AND DOTE ON AND PAMPER THEIR WIVES

BUT THERE WAS A NIGHT, IN HAWAII

ON A BUSINESS TRIP

THAT MY MIND HAS SUFFUSED WITH A MYSTIC GLOW

SHE WAS SOMEONES FRIEND

AND SHE HAD THIS SMILE

WE WERE ON A BEACH

AND WE WALKED AWHILE

AND I WATCHED THE WIND

BILLOW IN HER HAIR

AND I KNEW WE KNEW

THERE WAS MORE TO SHARE

I COULD FEEL THE GROUND START TO GO

LIKE VOLCANOES STARTING TO BLOW

AND THE WAVES WERE LOUD

WE WERE ALL ALONE

WE HAD LEFT THE CROWD

NOT A SOUL WOULD EVER HAVE KNOWN

BUT I STOPPED AND SAID NO

CAUSE THAT ISNT ME

IM ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS

ONE OF THE SMART ONES

WHOSE VIRTUE SURVIVES

FIRM AS A TREEONE OF THE GOOD GUYS

WHO TRADES A FLASH OF HEAT

TO BUILD A WARMER FIRE

DENIES HIMSELF A TREAT

TO SHOOT FOR SOMETHING HIGHER

AND THATS THE PART THATS SWEET

THAT ONLY THE GOOD GUYS KNOW

THATS NOT THE END

AS YOU SUSPECTED

TIME FLIPPED SOME PAGES

IM NOW FORTY-FOUR

THERES MONEY TO SPEND

THE KIDS ARE IN COLLEGE

MY WIFES BACK IN ART SCHOOL

WE JUST BOUGHT A HOUSE AT THE SHORE

BUT SOMETIMES AT NIGHT IN THE STILLNESS

LYING WIDE AWAKE

AS THE WIFE I STILL DESIRE SLEEPS BY MY SIDE

I CAN FEEL THE WASH

OF THE PERFUMED AIR

AS MY MIND IS DROWNING

IN BILLOWING HAIR

AND ALTHOUGH I KNOW

THAT MY LIFE IS BLESSED

I AM TEASED BY THOUGHTS

THAT ITS SECOND BEST

AND THE VISIONS SEETHE IN MY HEAD


20/47

OF THE LIVES THAT I COULD HAVE LED

THEY ARE ALL STILL THERE

I CAN CHANGE MY FATE

THERES NO TIME TO SPARE

I MUST FIND THEM BEFORE ITS TOO LATE

BUT I WAKE AND SAY NO

OH HELL, WHY DEFEND

ALL OF US GOOD GUYS

STRANGLING IN PLENTY

YET WHINING FOR MORE?

TRUTH IS MY FRIEND

JUST BETWEEN GOOD GUYS

ITS NOT WHICH ROAD YOU TAKE

WHICH LIFE YOU PICK TO LIVE IN

WHICHEVER CHOICE YOU MAKE

THE LONGING IS A GIVEN

AND THATS WHAT BRINGS THE ACHE

THAT ONLY THE GOOD GUYS KNOW

11. THERES NOTHING LIKE IT

MAN 2

THERES NOTHING LIKE IT

THERES NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD

THIS LOVELY FEELING OF WELL-BEING

WHAT YOURE SEEING

IS A MAN WHOS INCREDIBLY FIT

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?

THAT ONCE I WEIGHED TWO HUNDRED FIFTY

I WAS AS PUDGY AS A PIGNOT JUST BIG

I WAS FAT, I WAS GROSS

BUT NOW IM TRIM AND NIFTY

GOD REACHED HIS HAND DOWN

AND GRANTED ME A GIFTY:

HEALTH!

Sal Viviano


21/47

WOMAN 2

I FEEL SO HEALTHY

MAN 2

(THERES NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD)

WOMAN 2

AND YOU CAN BET

THE MOMENT I Z IP UP MY SWEATER

MAN 2

(WOW!)

WOMAN 2

I FEEL BETTER

MAN 2

POW!

WOMAN 2 and MAN 2

ITS SO GREAT TO FEEL FIT! THIS IS IT!

MAN 1

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT

WOMAN 2 and MAN 2

(THERES NOTHING LIKE IT)

MAN 1

TWO YEARS AGO I FELT A CHEST PAIN

WOMAN 2 and MAN 2

(THERES NOTHING LIKE IT)

MAN 1

I HEARD MY DOCTOR MENTION STROKE

MAN 2

(I BOUGHT THE GYM SHORTS)

MAN 1

... AND I BROKE ...

WOMAN 2

(I BOUGHT THE SWEATSUIT)

MAN 1

... BOUGHT SOME WEIGHTS ...

MAN 2

(I BOUGHT THE SNORKEL)

MAN 1

... GAVE UP COKE

WOMAN 2

(I BOUGHT THE WETSUIT)

MAN 1

JOINED A GYM ...

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

(THATS WHEN OUR PSYCHES)

MAN 1

BOUGHT A BIKE ...

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

(BEGAN TO FEED US)

MAN 1

... LEARNED TO SWIM ...

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

(WE BOUGHT THE NIKES)

MAN 1

... LEARNED TO HIKE ...

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

(AND THE ADIDAS)

WOMAN 1

BOUGHT A SCALE

WHICH SHOWED I HAD TO

TAKE CONTROL BELOW

AND SO I DUG OUT MY MOMS JANE FONDA


22/47

HAVE YOU NOTICED

THAT IN THE FONDA FAMILY

JANE IS THIN

AND PETERS THIN

AND HANK WAS THIN?

THEYRE JUST THIN

AND THEYVE ALWAYS BEEN

THE FONDAS

ARE THIN PEOPLE!

MEN and WOMAN 2

(ONE, TWO, ONE, TWO, ONE, TWO,

ONE AND TWO AND YOUNG, TOO

ONE AND TWO AND YOUNG, TOO

WONDER IF IM GETTING YOUNGER

YOUNGER, YOUNGER, YOUNGER,

YOUNGER, YOUNGER, YOUNG)

ALL

THERES NOTHING LIKE IT

THERES NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD

IT MUST BE WONDERFUL TO WITNESS

ALL THIS FITNESS

HOW WE WISH WE WERE YOU WATCHING US

MEN

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?

WOMEN(WOULD YOU BELIEVE THIS TURN OF FATE)

MEN

ONCE I WAS NOT CONSIDERED SEXY

WOMEN

(THAT ONCE I COULD NOT GET A DATE)

MEN

NOW IM CONSIDERED QUITE THE STUD

WOMEN

(AS I PERSPIRE)

MEN

FULL OF BEANS

WOMEN

(MY FUTURES BRIGHTER)

MEN

HOTTER BLOOD

WOMEN

(MY BREASTS ARE HIGHER)

MEN

TIGHTER JEANS

WOMEN

(MY BUNS ARE TIGHTER)

ALL

NOW LIFE IS FUN AND FREE OF ALL THOSE TENSIONS

TILL I RUN INTO THE THING NOBODY MENTIONS:

PAIN ... UHN!

PAIN ... UHN!

PAIN

MAN 1

PAIN, I FEEL PAIN

IN MY CALVES IN MY THIGHS

OTHERS

(PAIN!)

MAN 1

IN MY HEART, IN MY BLOOD

POUNDING DEEP IN MY EYES

OTHERS

(PAIN!)


23/47

MAN 1 and WOMAN 1

WELL, ITS GOOD WHEN YOU HURT

YES, ITS GOOD WHEN YOU STRIVE

OTHERS

(PAIN!)

MAN 1 and WOMAN 1

WHEN YOU HURT, YOURE AWAKE

WHEN YOU ACHE, YOURE ALIVE

OTHERS

(PAIN!)

ALL

I READ IN A BOOK, THAT THE PAIN THAT YOU FEEL

IS THE RIGHT SORT OF PAIN,

ITS THE PROOF THAT YOURE REAL

IVE READ ALL THE BOOKS AND I LIVE THEM ALL DAY

AND IVE HEARD WHAT THEY WROTEAND ALL I CAN SAY IS

BULLSHIT!

BULLSHIT!!!

HUSH, NOW

WHATS THIS RUSH NOW?

AFTER TORTURING MY BOD

CAN IT BE THERES A GOD AFTER ALL?

MAN 1 and WOMAN 2

I THINK IM BREAKING THROUGH THE WALL

AND ALL AT ONCE IM STANDING TALL

MAN 2 and WOMAN 1

I CAN FEEL MY BACKBONE LENGTHEN

ALL

SHOULDERS STRAIGHTEN

HEARTBEAT STRENGTHEN

LOOK THERE

THE HOME STRETCH

IM FILLED WITH GRACE

FROM FACING THE ODDS

THE THRILL OF THE CHASE

AS I RACE WITH THE GODS

IS LIKE NOTHING IN THE WORLD

AND I AM NEVER GROWING OLD

AND I AM GOING FOR THE GOLD

AND MY LIFE STORY WILL BE SOLD

CAUSE IM LIKE NOTHING IN THE WORLD

12. LIFE STORY

WOMAN 2

IT WAS A LIBERATED MARRIAGE

WE SHARED THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES OF COURSE

WE UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHERS FEELINGS

RIGHT DOWN TO THE DAY OF

OUR SENSIBLE DIVORCE

I DIDNT ASK HIM FOR A PENNY

ID HAD MY LIBERATED TRAINING

SO OFF HE WENT WITH HIS HAIR OF BRONZE

TO FIND A LIFE LIKE KAHLIL GIBRANS

I GOT MY REST FROM THE DRUGS HE DID

HE GOT HIS QUEST, I GOT THE KID

AND OH --IM NOT COMPLAINING

SO I SET OFF TO BE A WRITER

A MODERN MOTHER ON HER OWN

I WROTE UP HAPPENINGS AT GALLRIES

TURNED DOWN JOBS WITH SALRIES

STAYED FREE-LANCE AND ALONE

I FOUGHT THE BATTLES OF THE SIXTIES

WHICH, YOU RECALL, WERE RATHER DRAINING


24/47

WHEN MEN WERE THICK, I HIT THE FRAY

BECAME A PRICK, GOT EQUAL PAY

I FACED DOWN CHAUVINISTIC SLOBS

I WON THE FIGHTS, IMPROVED THE JOBS

AND OH --

IM NOT COMPLAININGMY HUSBAND FOUND HIMSELF HIS ASHRAM

LOST FORTY POUNDS AND WENT THROUGH HELL

THEN ONE DAY HE CAME BACK FROM LIMBO

FOUND HIMSELF SOME BIMBO

AND MOVED TO NEW ROCHELLE

I RAISED MY SON AND I HAD LOVERS

MY CHOICES SOMETIMES TAKE EXPLAINING

ID MEET SOME JOCK, MY FRIENDS WOULD SCOFF

HED STAY AWHILE, ID DRIVE HIM OFF

I KEPT MY SPACE, PRESERVED MY TURF

SIX MONTHS ID SEND HIM BACK TO SURFAND OHH --

I WAS NOT COMPLAININGSO NOW MY SONS HALF WAY THOUGH COLLEGE

I PAY TUITION LIKE A FINE

IM STILL THIS FEISTY FREE-LANCE WRITER

RESUME WELL-HONED

AT A WELL TONED FORTY-NINE

I FIND THAT GETTING WORK IS HARDER

EACH JOB I WANT TAKES MORE COMPAIGNINGAND THOSE SWEET YOUNG THINGS

WHO HIRE ME NOW

THOSE M.B.A.S MAKING NINETY THOU

WHO SMILE AND ASK WHAT I HAVE DONE

WHEN THEY GOT THEIR JOBS FROM THE FIGHTS I WON

Aww,They should all stay home and have babies!

BUT IM NOT COMPLAININGChristiane Noll


25/47

AND IN THE EVENING AT MY WINDOW

AS I WATCH JERSEY GROWING DIM

I FEEL A TROUBLING EMOTION

SUMMED UP IN THIS NOTION:

I WISH ID STAYED WITH HIM

LORD KNOWS EACH DAY WITH HIM WAS MADNESS

AS I HAVE SPENT MY LIFE MAINTAINING

BUT MORE AND MORE I RECALL THE JOY

MY GOLDEN DREAMER MY LOST BOY

OUR LIFE WAS LIFE IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE

BUT NO WORSE THAN A LIFE ALONE

AND OH --

WELL, I CHOSE MY WAY

AND IM NOT COMPLAINING

13. NEXT TIME/

I WOULDNT GO BACK

MAN 2

SHES AT YOUR DOOR

ARE YOUR EYES DECEIVING YOU?

YOUR LIFE TAKES OFF

AND THERES NO RETRIEVING YOU

THEN THERES THE DOOR

THAT SHUTS AS SHES LEAVING YOU

DOORS

LAST NIGHT MY DREAM COLLAPSED AROUND MY EARS

BUT THATS NO REASON TO GO ROUND IN TEARS

ILL START ANOTHER DREAM THIS MINUTE

WITHOUT HER IN IT

AND NEXT TIME, THE STARS WILL SING TO ME

NEXT TIME, THE GIRL WILL CLING TO ME

NEXT TIME LIKE PERFECT LOVERS WELL BE

THIS TIME, I PLANNED IT BADLY

BUT ILL DO BETTER

NEXT TIME

NEXT TIME

NEXT TIME

YET WE BEGAN IN SUCH A PERFECT WAY

AND STRINGS OF NEXT TIMES DONT MAKE ONE TODAY

WHAT DREAM IS WORTH THE FIGHT TO WIN IT?

IF SHES NOT IN IT

FOR NEXT TIME

CANT BE AS SWEET OR AS TENDER

OR PROMISE HALF OF THE SPLENDOR

THAT THIS TIME PROMISED TO ME

NEXT TIME IS SELF-DECEPTION

WHAT I WANT NOW IS THIS TIME

THIS TIME

MAN 1 and WOMEN

AH, AH, AH

AH, AH, AH

AH, AH, AH

AH, AH, AH

MAN 2

THIS TIME

MAN 1 and WOMENTHIS TIME THE STARS

WILL SING TO ME

MAN 2

THIS TIME

MAN 1 and WOMEN

THIS TIME MY LOVE WILL

CLING TO ME


26/47

MAN 2

THIS TIME

ALL

LIKE PERFECT LOVERS WELL BE

MAN 2

NEXT TIME

MAN 1 and WOMEN(NEXT TIME)

MAN 2

IS SELF DECEPTION

WHAT I WANT NOW IS THIS TIME

MAN 1 and WOMEN

AH, AH, AH

MAN 2

AND SOMEHOW

MAN 1 and WOMEN

AH, AH, AH

MAN 2

ILL HAVE

WOMAN 1

ILL HAVE

MAN 1

ILL HAVE

WOMAN 2

ILL HAVE

MAN 2

NEXT TIME

WOMAN 1

NEXT TIME

MAN 1

NEXT TIME

WOMAN 2

NEXT TIME

ALL

NOW!

EVERYDAY ANOTHER DOOR

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

EVERYDAY ANOTHER

MAN 1

EVERYDAY ANOTHER

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

EVERYDAY ANOTHER

WOMAN 1

EVERYDAY ANOTHER

MAN 2 and WOMAN 2

EVERYDAY ANOTHER

ALL

EVERYDAY ANOTHER DOOR

WOMAN 1

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

IN FRONT OF ME NOW IS AN OPEN DOOR

IM MOVING AHEAD, NOT SURE OF THE WAY

AND YET THERES A LIGHT THAT IM HEADING FOR

NOW IF SOMEONE HAD SAID TO ME A YEAR AGOTHAT I WOULD TAKE THE TRIP IM TAKING NOW

I WOULD HAVE SAID YOURE CRAZY

I AM BETTER OFF RIGHT HERE

BUT HERE I AM AMAZED TO FIND

THAT I CAN TURN AND WALK

RIGHT THROUGH THE DOOR

AND WHAT IS MORE

I WOULDNT GO BACK

I WOULDNT GO BACK


27/47

AS STRANGE AS I FEEL

I SIMPLY COULDNT GO BACK

ILL NEVER GO BACK WHERE I WAS BEFORE

MAN 2

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WOMAN 2

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW?

MAN 1

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WOMAN 1

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

MAN 2

THE PERSON I WAS

IS A STRANGER NOW

WOMAN 2

(IVE HIDDEN MYSELF

IN SOME REAL SAFE PLACES)

MAN 1

DONT KNOW WHATS AHEAD

OR WHERE I MUST GO

WOMAN 1

(DONT KNOW WHERE I AM

BUT NOW FOR A CHANGE)

MAN 1

BUT WHEN THE TIMES COMES

ILL GET THROUGH SOMEHOW

WOMEN

(IM HERE

FACING EMPTY SPACES)

MEN

NOW, IF SOMEONE HAD SAID TO ME A YEAR AGO

THAT I MIGHT NEVER HAVE A LOVE AT ALL

WOMEN

IF SOMEONE SAID A YEAR AGO

(THAT I MIGHT NEVER HAVE A LOVE AT ALL)

MEN

I WOULD HAVE SAID YOURE CRAZY

WOMAN 1

ID HAVE BURST RIGHT INTO TEARS

ALL

BUT HERE I AM PREPARED TO FACE

THE PERSON HERE IN ME I NEVER KNEW

AND SAY ITS TRUE

AND I WOULDNT GO BACK

I WOULDNT GO BACK

AS SCARED AS I AM

I SIMPLY COULDNT GO BACK

WHATEVER I HELD ONTO ONCE IS THROUGH, WELL

WOMEN

WHAD YA KNOW

MEN

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WOMEN

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

MEN

WELL, WHAD YA KNOW

WOMEN

THE UNIVERSE SHAKES

MEN

THE FIRMAMENT SPINS

WOMEN

THE GROUND IS ABOVE

MEN

THE SKY IS BELOW

O


28/47

WOMEN

IM FEELING THE BARRIERS CRUMBLE AND FALL

MEN

IM NOT EVEN SURE

WHERE IM HEADING AT ALL

ALL

IM HURTLING AHEAD AND IM HITTING A PACE

AND IM FLYING THRU TIME AND IM OUT INTO SPACE

IF SOMEONE TOLD ME EVEN JUST A WEEK AGO

THAT I WOULD FEEL THE WAY I FEEL RIGHT NOW

MEN

I WOULD HAVE SAID IMPOSSIBLE

WOMEN

NOT IN A MILLION YEARS

ALL

BUT HERE I AM AMAZED TO FIND

ID TURN MY BACK ON ALL I WAS BEFORE

AND CLOSE THE DOOR

AND I WOULDNT GO BACK

I WOULDNT GO BACK

FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL

I KNOW I COULDNT GO BACK

ILL NEVER GO BACK,

EVER GO BACK

NOT TO WHERE I WAS BEFORE

NEXT TIME LIKE PERFECT LOVERS WELL BE

MAN 2

NEXT TIME

MAN 1

NEXT TIME

WOMEN

NEXT TIME

MEN

BUT THIS TIME

WOMEN

THE MAN WILL SING TO ME

MEN

THIS TIME, THIS TIME

WOMENTHE MAN WILL CLING TO ME

MAN 1

SOMEHOW

MAN 2

ILL HAVE

WOMAN 2

ILL HAVE

MAN 1ILL HAVE

WOMAN 1

ILL HAVE

MAN 2

NEXT TIME,

WOMAN 1

NEXT TIME

MAN 1

NEXT TIME

WOMAN 2

NEXT TIME

ALL

NOW.

Act T o : CD2 FUTURES THAT WERE BRIGHTER


29/47

Act Two : CD2

1. THREE FRIENDS

WOMAN 2

ALICE, THE LAWYER

WOMAN 1

ANGELA, THE WRITER

MAN 2

NANCY, THE PAINTER

ALL

COULDNT HAVE BEEN TIGHTER

NO COLLEGE FRIENDS HAD

FUTURES THAT WERE BRIGHTER

NEVER APART

JOINED AT THE HEART

CAME TO NEW YORK, TOOK OFF

AND NEVER DRIFTED

MAN 2

ALICE WAS SMART

WOMAN 2

AND ANGELA WAS GIFTED

WOMAN 1

NANCY MADE ART

THAT MADE YOU FEEL UPLIFTED

Jenn Colella, Christiane Noll and George Dvorsky

ALL WOMAN 2


30/47

ALL

THATS HOW WE STARTED

FRIENDS

WE WERE SO LUCKY, COMING HERE AS

FRIENDS

BUT WOULD WE ALWAYS BE SO?

HOW COULD WE KNOW?

MAN 2

ANGELAS DAD HIRED ALICE AS A LAWYER

WOMAN 2

NANCY FOUND ANGIE SOMEONE TO EMPLOY HER

WOMAN 1

ALICE HUNG NANCYS PAINTING IN HER FOYER

ALL

AND WE COULD SEE

WE WERE STILL FRIENDSLIKE THE FRIENDS

THAT YOUR FRIENDS OUGHTA BE

ALL

ONE YEAR LATER

WOMAN 2

ANGELA WROTE ALL DAY IN HER PAJAMAS

WOMAN 1

NANCY WAS PAINTING SCENRY AT LA MAMASMAN 2

ALICES CROWD TOOK TRIPS TO THE BAHAMAS

ALL

OFF ON OUR OWN

JOINED AT THE PHONE

MAN 2

ANGIE MET PAUL, TO WHOM SHE TOOK A FANCY

WOMAN 2

NANCY MET PAUL AT PARTIES ON DELANCY

WOMAN 1

ALICE MET PAUL AT HOME IN BED WITH NANCY

ALL

WHICH TRULY STRAINED US

FRIENDS (uh-huh!)

IT WASNT EASY TRYING TO STAY

FRIENDS (uh-huh!)

BUT WOULD WE SORT IT ALL OUT

HOW COULD YOU DOUBT?

WOMAN 1

ALICE THE LAWYER MOVED TO THE DAKOTA

WOMAN 2

NANCY GAVE UP, WENT BACK TO MINNESOTA

MAN 2ANGELAS LIFE HAS CHANGED NOT ONE IOTA

ALL

SHES STILL DRUG-FREE

STILL WE WERE FRIENDS

LIKE THE FRIENDS


TEN YEARS LATER

WOMAN 2

ANGELA NOW WRITES STORIES IN HER ATTIC

WOMAN 1

NANCYS A VEGETARIAN FANATIC

MAN 2

ALICE SAYS ONLY JEWS VOTE DEMOCRATIC

ALL

MEET FOR A NIGHT

BOY DO WE FIGHT

WOMAN 2 ALL


31/47

WOMAN 2

ANGELAS HUSBAND HAS THE CHARM OF NERO

MAN 2

ALICES HUSBAND CALLS GLENN BECK A HERO

WOMAN 1

EVERYONE SAYS THAT NANCYS IS A ZERO

ALL

BUT STILL WERE RIGHT HERE

FRIENDS

WE HAVE REUNIONS NOW

BECAUSE WERE

FRIENDS

FOR AS WE START TO GROW OLD

LIFE CAN GET COLD

WOMAN 2

SORRY IM LATE!

MAN 2

ITS WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU!

WOMAN 1

YOURE LOOKING GREAT!

WOMAN 2

THAT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU

ALL

THOUGH IT IS TRUE I WOULDNT WANT TO BE YOU

ITS STILL US THREE

IN HARMONY

ISNT IT ALL AN IMPROBABLE PLOT

NOTHING IN COMMON, BUT LOOK WHAT WEVE GOT

I WOULDNT LIKE YOU IF FRIENDS WE WERE NOT

BUT YOU HAVE ME

THESE ARE MY FRIENDS

WOMEN

You havent changed a bit!

ALL

THESE ARE MY FRIENDS

MAN 2

Who are these people?

ALL

WE ARE STILL FRIENDS

LIKE THE FRIENDS


2. FANDANGO

WOMAN 2

MY POWER LUNCH IS ON

WITH MY CLIENT DOWN AT MERCK

THEN I MUST BE IN COURT

FOR A MEETING WITH THE CLERK

THE AU PAIR HAS HER CLASS

BUT STILL I CAN MAKE IT WORK

IF MAYBE

YOU TAKE THE BABY

MAN 1

OH, GOD IM SYMPATHETIC

MY CLOSINGS SET FOR TWO

THE BUYERS IN FROM PHOENIX

MY PARTNER HAS THE FLU

THE FACT IS I WAS HERE

ON THE VERGE OF ASKING YOUIF MAYBE

YOUD TAKE THE BABY

WOMAN 2

OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT YOUR DOINGS

REALLY VITAL STUFF

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR LIFES

ON THE LINE

MAN 1 BOTH


32/47

MAN 1

RE-STARTING YOUR CAREER

WHICH I CANT SUPPORT ENOUGH

MAKES YOUR WORK AS IMPORTANT

AS MINE

WOMAN 2

BUT STILL IM WONDERINGIS THERE SOME WAY

MAN 1

BUT STILL IM THINKING

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY

WOMAN 2

THAT YOU COULD JUST

ADJUST THINGS TODAY?

MAN 1

IF YOU COULD SORT OF

MANAGE TO STAY?

WOMAN 2

ILL MAKE YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST

MAN 1

ILL BE YOUR BESTEST FRIEND

BOTHI NEED A LITTLE HELP HERE, OK?

WOMAN 2

IM SURE THERES NOTHING TO IT

MAN 1

A CALL OR TWO WILL DO IT

WOMAN 2

I HAVE TO MAKE IT CLEAR HERE

BOTH

WERE TALKING MY CAREER HERE!

WOMAN 2

OKAY, IM OUT THE DOOR

I KNOW YOU CAN GET IT DONE

MAN 1

I KNOW YOULL WORK IT OUT, DEAR

I REALLY HAVE TO RUN

BOTH

WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR APPOINTMENT

I BET IT WOULD BE FUN

IF MAYBE

YOU TAKE THE BABY

WOMAN 2

DARLING, I KNOW TODAY IS FATEFUL

MAN 1

I KNOW THAT THIS IS HATEFUL

WOMAN 2

I KNOW YOUVE GOT A PLATEFUL

MAN 1

CANT TELL YOU HOW IM GRATEFUL

WOMAN 2

THE BOTTLES IN THE BUGGY

MAN 1

WERE DOWN TO OUR LAST HUGGIE

BOTH

THE BABYS HERE

I LOVE YOU, DEAR

GOODBYE!

3 THERE MAN 2


33/47

3. THERE

WOMAN 1

THERE

HE WAS NEVER THERE

EVERY TIME WE TALKED

ID LOOK IN HIS EYES

AND HIS MIND WAS ... WHERE?

I DONT MEAN TO SAY

LIFE WAS GLOOM AND DOOM

THINGS WERE ALWAYS PLEASANT

IF I NEEDED HELP

HE WAS IN THE ROOM

HE JUST WASNT PRESENT

HE JUST WASNT ... THERE

NEVER REALLY THERE

I FELT SO UNHINGED

I WENT OUT AND BINGEDHAD THAT DUMB AFFAIR

STILL THE FAULTS NOT MINE

QUOTING GERTRUDE STEIN

THERE WAS JUST NO THERE THERE

THERE, THERE

DONT KNOW WHY I CARE

CEPT THAT I AM HERE

CAUSE HE WASNT

MAN 2THERE

WOMAN 1

... THERE

MAN 2

I WAS NEVER

WOMAN 1

THERE

... THERE

SHE WAS ALWAYS

WOMAN 1

THERE

MAN 2

SAYING GEORGE BE..

WOMAN 1

THERE ...

MAN 2

AND MY MIND SAID WHERE?

DID I HAVE A CHOICE?

LOVE IS WORTH A FIGHT

NOT A THING YOU SQUANDER

WOMAN 1

Yoo hoo, George

MAN 2

THEN ID HEAR HER VOICE

WOMAN 1

George

MAN 2

URGENT AND UPTIGHT

WOMAN 1

Hello?

MAN 2

AND MY MIND WOULD WANDER

WOMAN 1

Come in, George

MAN 2

SO I WASNT

THERE

WOMAN 1

(COULDNT HE BE THERE?)

MAN 2 MAN 2


34/47

NEVER REALLY

THERE

WOMAN 1

(ONCE AN EVENING, THERE)

MAN 2

AND I FELT MALIGNED

THAT MY VAGRANT MINDMEANT I DIDNT CARE

WOMAN 1

IT WAS CLEAR THAT HE DIDNT CARE

MAN 2

THEN TO MAKE THINGS SMOOTH

SHE WOULD TRY TO SOOTHE

STICKING IN HER THERE, THERE THERE

WOMAN 1

THERE, THERE

MAN 2

GOT OUT OF HER HAIR

CAUSE SHE MADE IT CLEAR

THAT I WASNT THERE

WOMAN 1

IM NOT A JERK

THOUGH ITS THE WAY I SEEM

MAN 2

(WANTED TO BE THERE)

WOMAN 1

HE HAD HIS WORK

I GAVE HIM TIME TO DREAM

MAN 2

(KNEW I SHOULD BE THERE)

WOMAN 1

LOST MY DESIRE

WAITING TILL HE AWOKE

(WORKED AT BEING THERE)

WOMAN 1

LONGING FOR FIRE

LIVING WITH SMOKE

ISNT A JOKE

MAN 2

I TRIED TO GO HER WAY

WANTING THINGS IMPROVED

TIRED OF BEING NOT THERE

WOMAN 1

(IS IT SO HARD A TASK?)

MAN 1

THINK OF MY DISMAY

FINDING SHE HAD MOVED

BY THE TIME I GOT THERE

WOMAN 1

(TOO MUCH TO ASK?)

MAN 2

SHE WAS OVER THERE

WOMAN 1

I WAS HERE, I WAS ALWAYS HERE

MAN 2

WHERE THE HELL WAS THERE?

WOMAN 1

THERE WAS HERE

COULD IT BE MORE CLEAR?

BOTH

GROPING LIKE THE BLIND

HOW WE HOPED TO FIND

ONE PLACE WE COULD SHARE

FAULTS WE TRIED TO HIDE

LIVING SIDE BY SIDE MAKING LITTLE JOKES


35/47

FUNNY, WHEN THEYRE THERE, THEYRE THERE

WOMAN 1

THERE, THERE

AND IT ISNT FAIR

MAN 2

NO, IT REALLY ISNT FAIR

WOMAN 1

THAT WE WIND UP HERE

MAN 2

THAT WE WIND UP HERE

BOTH

WHEN WE ONCE WERE

THERE

DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO DO

4. TRANSITION 2

MAN 1

ILL BE IN CHARGE AT LAST

GET MY LIFE IN SHAPE

AND WHEN ALL THAT ENDS

THERES ANOTHER

5. PATTERNS

WOMAN 2

PATTERNS IN MY LIFE THAT I TRACE EVRY DAY

PATTERNS AS I SAY THE THINGS I ALWAYS SAY

PATTERNS IN THE CEILNG AS I LIE AWAKE

WHY ARE PATTERNS HAUNTING EVRY MOVE I MAKE?

JUST LOOK, HERE I AM ON CUE, AGAIN

UPSET, FEELING TORN IN TWO, AGAIN

AFRAID, SAYING IM OKAY

TILL I RUN AWAY -- AGAIN

AND YET, TODAY I AM NOT THE SAME

I FEEL MY LIFE SLIPPING FROM ITS FRAME

STRANGE FEELINGS RISE, FEELINGS WITH NO NAME

AND I CANT FACE THEM

SO I SHAKE THEM HARD

FOLD THEM UP

AND TUCK THEM SAFELY AWAY

AGAIN

PATTERNS THAT BEGIN AS I WALK THROUGH A DOOR

PATTERNS IN THE CURTAINS AND THE KITCHEN FLOOR

PATTERNS IN THE DAYS ROUTINES I MUST ARRANGE

PATTERNS IN THE WAYS I TRY -- BUT NEVER CHANGE

JUST LOOK, AS IM THROWN A CURVE AGAIN

I LEAP, THEN I LOSE MY NERVE AGAIN

IN TEARS, RUNNING HOME I GO

SECRETLY RELIEVED

SAFE WITH WHAT I KNOW -- AGAIN

AND YET I KNOW I AM NOT THE SAME

INSIDE MY HEART IS SOMETHING I CANT TAME

I FEEL MY MIND BURSTING INTO FLAME

AND I MUST CHANGE

OR ELSE ILL BREAK APART

OR BREAK AWAY

AND END UP HAVING TO START

AGAIN

PATTERNS THROUGH THE DAY

I SEEM TO USE TO GIVE MY LIFE A SHAPE

PATTERNS THROUGH THE HOUSE

THAT GIVE ME COMFORT WHEN I NEED ESCAPE

PATTERNS THAT LEAD ME NOWHERE

AT ALL

6. THERE IS SOMETHING IN

A WEDDING

WOMAN 2 and MAN 2

SOMETHING IN THEIR EYES


36/47

A WEDDING

MAN 1

IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING OLD

WOMAN 2

IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW

WOMAN 1

SOMETHING BORROWED

FROM THE VERY DEPTHS OF TIME

MAN 2

SOMETHING COMING FROM THE BLUE

WOMAN 1 and MAN 1

SOMETHING THAT WE PRIZE

MAN 1 and WOMEN

SOMETHING VERY WISE AND STRONG AND GOOD

ALL

BEGINS TODAY

THERE IS SOMETHING IN A WEDDING

MAN 2

IT IS ALWAYS FOR THE CROWD

WOMAN 2

IT IS ALWAYS JUST FOR TWO

WOMAN 1

SOMETHING NOBLE THAT

TRANSCENDS TWO SEPARATE LIVES

George Dvorsky, Christiane Noll, Sal Viviano and Jenn Colella

MAN 1 WOMAN 1


37/47

SOMETHING MORE THAN MERELY TRUE

WOMEN

SOMETHING THAT DEPARTS

MAN 2

SOMETHING ELSE THAT STARTS

WOMEN and MAN 1

SOMETHING THAT LINKS HEARTS

TO OTHER HEARTS

ALL

IN SOME NEW WAY

WOMEN

THERE IS SOMETHING IN A WEDDING

MEN

SOMETHING HAPPENS ON A WEDDING DAY

WOMAN 2

YOU GO ALONG DISMAYED BY THE FORCES

MEN and WOMAN 2

OF A WORLD WHERE IT SEEMS NOTHING STAYS

WOMAN 1

THE STRAINS

MAN 2

THE FIGHTS

MAN 1

COMPLAINTSWOMAN 2

AND DIVORCES

ALL

ALL THE THINGS THAT PASS FOR LOVE THESE DAYS

WOMAN 2

THEN THE ORGAN PLAYS

AND A FLOWER GIRL WALKS SLOWLY PAST YOUR KNEE

MAN 2 and WOMEN

THERES A SHIMMER OF A VISION VEILED IN LACE

MEN

FRESH AND RADIANT

ALL

WHOSE FACE YOU BARELY SEETHEN THE RITUAL

WOMAN 1 and MAN 2

THE RING

ALL

I DONT KNOW WHY

BUT ITS ALMOST LIKE THEYRE MARRYING FOR ME

WOMEN

THERE WAS NEVER SUCH A BRIDE

MEN

THERE WAS NEVER SUCH A BRIDE

WOMEN

THERE WAS NEVER SUCH A GROOM

MEN

THERE WAS NEVER SUCH A GROOM

WOMEN

SOMETHING LIKE AN ACT OF

ALL

FAITH THAT GETS INSIDE

EVERY CYNIC IN THE ROOM

MAN 1

SKEPTICISMS GONE

MAN 2

LOVE WILL CARRY ON

MEN and WOMAN 2

LOOK AT THEM, SO CONFIDENT

ALL

SO SURE OF WHERE THEYRE HEADING

I MADE A VOW

THAT LASTED FORTY YEARS LESS THAN I RECKONED


38/47

SO SURE OF WHERE THEYRE HEADING

SOMETHING IN A WEDDING

LOVE WILL LAST FOR LIFE



MAN 1


MAN 2


WOMAN 2


WOMAN 1


ALL


7. ANOTHER WEDDING SONG

MAN 1

THE FUTURES HERE

THE PAST IS DEAD

I WONT DISSECT OR WEIGH IT

BUT SOMETHING SMALLS

BEEN LEFT UNSAID

AND NOWS THE TIME TO SAY IT

YOURE NOT MY FIRST

AS WELL YOU KNOW

ONCE BEFORE I LEAPT WHEN MARRIAGE BECKONED

BUT YOURE SO MUCH MORE THAN MERELY FIRST

YOU ARE THE FIRST TO BE SECOND

WOMAN 1

I SCREWED UP TOO

THAT LASTED FORTY YEARS LESS THAN I RECKONED

HOW LUCKY FOR YOU, FOR STARTING NOW

YOU CAN BE FIRST TO BE SECOND

MAN 1

SO WHAT IF WE HAD BUBBLES THAT GOT BURST

WOMAN 1

ALL OF THOSE MISTAKES ARE IN THE PAST

BOTH

I DONT CARE IF YOU ARE NOT MY FIRST

MAN 1

AS LONG AS YOURE THE FIRST TO BE MY LAST

WOMAN 1

ID BETTER BE

BOTH

HERES TO OUR FIRSTS, WE LEARNED A LOT

OUR FUTURE WILL BE GLORIOUSLY FECUND

WOMAN 1

OF FIRSTS WEVE HAD THE SAME AMOUNT

MAN 1

NOW WELL MAKE EACH SECOND COUNT

BOTH

FROM NOW ON MY FIRST TO BE SECOND

COMES FIRST

8. IF I SING

MAN 2

MY FATHERS PRIDE

WAS IN HIS HANDS

THE PIANO WAS HIS SOUL

I WATCHED IN WONDER

AS HE PLAYED SHOW TUNES

MILES OFF FROM ROCK AND ROLL


39/47

WHAT HE LOVED, HE TAUGHT ME

NOW MUSICS WHAT I DO

AND OFTEN WHEN IM WRITING

IN MY HANDS

DADS THERE TOO

IF I SING, YOU ARE THE MUSIC

IF I FLY, YOURE WHY IM GOODIF MY HANDS CAN FIND SOME MAGIC

YOURE THE ONE WHO SAID THEY COULD

WHEN THE CHILD WHOS STILL INSIDE ME

FINDS A SONG IN EMPTY AIR

WHEN THERE IS JOY IN MAKING MUSIC

IT IS YOU WHO PUT IT THERE

MY DAD GREW OLD

HIS HANDS GREW NUMB

AND NOW HE CANNOT PLAYI CAME TO VISIT

HE SAT AND ASKED ME

HOW IT COULD END THIS WAY

I COULDNT FIND AN ANSWER

I PLAYED THIS TUNE FOR HIM INSTEAD

MY FATHER SAT THERE SMILING

FOR HE KNEW

WHAT IT SAID

IF I SING, YOU ARE THE MUSIC

IF I LOVE, YOU TAUGHT ME HOW

EVERY DAY, YOUR HEART IS BEATING

IN THE MAN THAT I AM NOW

IF MY EARS ARE TUNED TO WONDER

IF WHEN I REACH THE CHORDS ARE THERE

IF THERE IS JOY IN MAKING MUSIC

ITS A JOY THAT WE BOTH SHARE

George Dvorsky

I NEVER TOLD YOU


40/47

IT TOOK TIME TILL I COULD SEE

THAT IF I SING, YOU ARE THE MUSIC

AND YOULL ALWAYS SING IN ME

YES! YOULL ALWAYS LIVE IN ME

9. BACK ON BASE

WOMAN 1

MY SCATTERED LIFE HAD NO FOUNDATION

COULDNT SEEM TO FIND MY SPACE

THEN ALL AT ONCE CAME INSPIRATION

NOW IM BACK ON BASE

MY BABY PLAYS A LINE THATS SUBTLE

YET IT MAKES THE STRONGEST CASE

AN ARGUMENT WITH NO REBUTTAL

GOT ME BACK ON BASE

WHEN HIS FINGERS TOUCH MY STRINGS

I TINGLE TO MY TEETH

I SEEM TO SING THE WILDEST THINGS

WHEN HE IS UNDERNEATH

THE ONLY WORM THATS IN THIS EDEN

ONLY SNAG IN ALL THIS LACE

IS WHERE I STAND AINT EASY READIN

WHEN HES BACK ON BASE

(SCAT)AT TIMES HE SEEMS A BIT ELUSIVE

WAY OFF IN HIS PRIVATE PLACE

I GUESS HE CANT BE MY EXCLUSIVE

WHEN HES BACK ON BASE

HES GOT EYES FOR SOMETHING TALL

SO MAYBE I SHOULD GO

THEN ONCE MORE MY DEFENSES FALLJenn Colella and Danny Weller

WHEN HE GETS DOWN BELOW

OH OH OH OH OH OH OH

AND MY LIFES ENCUMBERED NOW

WITH THINGS TO PAY FOR FIX AND FEED


41/47

OH OH OH OH OH OH OH

SO WHAT IF HE DONT FEEL LIKE TALKIN

ILL JUST LET HIM PLAY HIS ACE

AND LET HIS FINGERS DO THE WALKIN

TILL IM BACK ON

ALWAYS BACK ON

SO HAPPY BACK ON BASE

(SCAT)

WE MAKE SWEET MUSIC

WHEN WERE BOTH BACK ON BASE

10. THE MARCH OF TIME

MAN 2

OVEREDUCATED

WOMAN 2

UNDERSTIMULATED

WOMAN 1

OVEROPTIMISTIC

MAN 1

UNDERPREPARED

WOMAN 1

OVER COMPLICATING

MAN 2NON-CO-OPERATING

WOMAN 2

HYPERVENTILATING...

ALL

SCARED --

AND THE DAYS ARE NUMBERED NOW

THEY TUMBLE BY WITH MOUNTING SPEED

WITH THINGS TO PAY FOR, FIX AND FEED

WOMEN

AND IN MY EAR

I HEAR A SOUND LIKE DISTANT DRUMMING

MEN

AT FIRST I THINK ITS SOMETHING IN THE PLUMBING

ALL

BUT, NO, ITS SOMETHING

I CANT STOP FROM COMING

OOOO! OHHHH! AHHHH!

THE MARCH OF TIME!

I WASNT READY FOR THE BURNOUTS

I WASNT READY FOR THE JOKES

WOMEN

I WASNT SET FOR SEEING CELLULITE

MEN

OR BEING PARENT TO MY FOLKS

ALL

I NEVER THOUGHT ID GO TO PARTIES

AND ORDER PERRIER WITH LIME

I WASNT READY, NEARLY READY FOR

THE MARCH OF TIME

MAN 1

OVER-MOTIVATED

TIGHTLY CALIBRATED

MAJOR WORKAHOLIC

SON OF A BITCH

TIGER WITH THE LADIES

BORN FOR A MERCEDES

AND THANKS TO THE EIGHTIES

RICH!

ALL

OOOO! OHHHH! AHHHHH!

WOMAN 1

TEENAGE VISIONARY SET ITINERARY


42/47


THE MARCH OF TIME!

I WASNT READY TO HAVE INLAWS

I WASNT SET FOR THINGS TO PALL

WOMAN 1

OR SEX THATS ONCE A WEEK

WOMAN 2

ID KILL FOR ONCE A WEEK!

MEN and WOMAN 1

OR SEX THAT ISNT SAFE AT ALL

MEN

I DIDNT KNOW I HAD A PROSTATE

WOMEN

I DIDNT KNOW ID HAVE A PRIME

ALL

I WASNT SET TO LOVE THE QUICKSTEP OF

THE MARCH OF, MARCH OF

MARCH OF, MARCH OF

I WASNT READY FOR TUITIONS

OR FINDING BOYFRIENDS FOR MY MOM

WOMAN 2 and MAN 1

OR FRIENDS WHO FLIP THEIR LIDS

WOMAN 1 and MAN 2OR ADOLESCENT KIDS

WHOVE NEVER HEARD OF VIETNAM

ALL

I DIDNT KNOW THAT HAVING PROMISE

WOULD GET YOU TEN CENTS FOR A DIME

I WASNT TAUGHT TO FACE THE ONSLAUGHT OF

THE MARCH OF, MARCH OF

MARCH OF, MARCH OF

TIME

TEENAGE VISIONARY, SET ITINERARY

GOT IT ALL LIKE CLOCKWORK, SEPTEMBER BRIDE

FUTURE MOVING TOWARD ME

PARTNER WHO ADORED ME

THEN ONE AWFUL NIGHT SHE.DIED

AND THE DAYS SEEM ENDLESS NOW

I FEEL MY PURPOSE ALL BUT GONE

THOUGH IM HARDLY FRIENDLESS NOW

EACH NIGHT I THINK I CANT GO ON

BUT IN THE CORNER OF MY MIND

I HEAR THIS POUNDING

OTHERS

(GOTTA MOVE, GOTTA MOVE ALONG)

WOMAN 1

ITS ALMOST LIKE IM SOMEONE THAT ITS HOUNDING

OTHERS

(GOTTA MOVE, MOVE ALONG, GOTTA MOVE ALONG)

WOMAN 1

NO MATTER WHAT I DO, IT KEEPS RESOUNDING

ALL


I WASNT READY TO KEEP MOVING

I WASNT READY FOR THE DAWN

WOMEN

OR LEARNING PAIN CAN FADE

MEN

RECOVERIES GET MADE

ALL

NO MATTER WHAT, YOUR LIFE GOES ON

I DIDNT KNOW THAT WHEN YOU STUMBLE

YOU GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO CLIMB

MAN 1 and WOMAN 2

I WASNT SET FOR LIVES I NEVER PLANNED

MEN

AND FATHERS OF FATHERS, FATHERS OF MOTHERS


43/47

S S O S

MAN 2 and WOMAN 1

WITH BOTH FEET FIRMLY SET ON SAND

ALL

THE GRAND RELENTLESS DRUM BEAT AND

THE MARCH OF TIME!

11. FATHER OF FATHERS

MAN 1

HEY BILLY, MY BABY

HEY KID, LOOK AT ME

ITS CLEAR YOUVE GOT YOUR MOTHERS EYES

BUT WHO DO THEY SEE?

THE NURSE JUST CALLED ME FATHER

WELL, HELL, I GUESS THATS WHAT I AMBUT WHAT MAKES HER THINK IM A FAMILY MAN?

THOSE FATHERS OF FATHERS, FATHERS OF MOTHERS

HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHAT ITS WORTH

FOR ALL MY ASPIRATION

ARE YOU TO BE THE INDICATION

THAT I WALKED THE FACE OF THIS EARTH?

MAN 2

MY CHILDREN, I MISS YOU

HOW MUCH YOU CANT KNOW

I LAUGHED WITH YOU, I CRIED WITH YOU

HELPED EACH OF YOU GROW

I KISSED YOU EVRY BEDTIME

YOUR LAUGHTER WOKE ME EVERY DAWN

THEN ONE DAY I WOKE

AND YOUD GROWN AND GONE

S O S, S O O S

STRANGE HOW KIDS MEASURE YOUR WORTH

MAN 2

THEYRE HERE AND THEN THEY SCATTER

BUT IN SOME WAY, THEY MAKE IT MATTER

MEN

THAT I WALKED THE FACE OF THIS EARTH

MAN 3 (PIANIST)

HEY FATHER, I LOVE YOU

I PRAY YOULL PULL THROUGH

YOU CARED FOR ME, ITS MY TURN NOW

TO TAKE CARE OF YOU

IVE TRIED TO SHOW MY CHILDREN

THE KIND OF STRENGTH YOU SHOWED TO ME

I FEEL SUCH A LONGING TO BE A SON

INSTEAD NOW IM ONE OF THOSE

ALL

FATHERS OF FATHERS, FATHERS OF MOTHERS

WHAT MAN CAN SAY WHAT ITS WORTH

THIS COMMONEST OF PLEASURES

WHY SHOULD IT BE A THING THAT MEASURES

THAT I WALKED THE FACE OF THIS EARTH

12. ITS NEVER THAT EASY/ IVE BEEN HERE BEFORE

WOMAN 2

YOU JUST MET HIM, YES I KNOW

THIS IS LASTING, THIS WILL GROW

BUT OH, ITS NEVER THAT EASY

BELIEVE ME, IT ISNT AT ALL

YOU ARE STARSTRUCK, SO WAS I

I WOULD LOVE HIM TILL I DIE

AND TELL MYSELF IM FINE ALONE

OH, YES, IVE BEEN HERE BEFORE


44/47

BUT OH, ITS NEVER THAT EASY

MY DARLING, NOT EASY AT ALL

ALL YOUR LIFE YOULL BE WITH HIM

THINK OF THAT, THINK IT THROUGH

HE MAY CHASE SOME CRAZY WHIM

WHEN HE DOES, YOULL GO TOO

AND YOULL LOSE HIM NOW AND THEN

BUT EACH MORNING START AGAIN

AND OH, SOME DAYS YOULL BE HAPPY

BUT IT WONT BE EASY

ITS NEVER THAT EASY

YOU THINK SO, BUT NO,

OH NO, I KNOW

IT ISNT AT ALL

WOMAN 1THE MAN SAYS THINGS HE NEEDS TO SAY

TURNS TO SMILE AS HE STANDS AT MY DOOR

AND THEN I SEE HIS EYES ARE GREY

OH, GOD, IVE BEEN HERE BEFORE

TO WANT HIM MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL

THEN WE TALK AND OUT HIS FEELINGS POUR

INSIDE ALL MY DEFENSES FALL


THE MANS ALL WRONG

THATS ALL THATS TRUE

AND WHAT IS WORSE

THIS TIME, GOOD GOD, HES TWENTY-TWO

AND SINCE ITS WRONG, BEFORE WE START

WHY SHOULD I RUSH TO PROVE

THAT I CAN BREAK MY HEART ALL OVER?

THE MAN LEAVES AND IM ON MY OWN

I SIT HERE AND SIMPLY WATCH THE DOOR


THE MANS ALL WRONG

THATS ALL THATS TRUE

AND WHAT IS WORSE

THIS TIME, GOOD GOD

HES TWENTY-TWOAND SINCE ITS WRONG

BEFORE WE START

WHY SHOULD I RUSH

TO PROVE

THAT I CAN BREAK MY HEART ALL OVER

THE MAN LEAVES AND IM ON MY OWN

I SIT HERE AND SIMPLY WATCH THE DOOR

AND TELL MYSELF IM FINE ALONE ...

WOMAN 2

I KNOW

ITS NEVER THAT EASY

BELIEVE ME

IT ISNT AT ALL

HE MAY CHASE

SOME CRAZY WHIM

LET HIM GO

OR HELL

BREAK YOUR HEART

YOURE FINE ALONE WITHOUT HIM

AND YOULL MISS HIM NOW AND THEN

YOURE FINE ALONE ...

BOTH


WOMAN 1

BUT IT WONT BE EASY

WOMAN 2

(SOME DAYS YOULL BE HAPPY)

SOME DAYS I THOUGHT WE BLEW IT

BUT STRANGE AS IT SEEMS IT TOOK THE PAIN


45/47

WOMAN 1

NO, NEVER THAT EASY

WOMAN 2

(BUT IT WONT BE EASY)

WOMAN 1

YOU THINK SO, BUT NO

WOMAN 2

OH NO

BOTH

I KNOW

IVE BEEN HERE BEFORE

13. CLOSER THAN EVER

MENWELL WHAT DYA KNOW, A DOOR LOCKED TIGHT

OPENS AT LAST AND SHOWS SOME LIGHT

ALL

ONCE MORE A DOOR YOU TRIED AND TRIED

GIVES, AND YOURE ON THE OTHER SIDE

YOU WERE UNSURE AND YET SOMEHOW

LOOK AT WHERE YOU ARE STANDING NOW

OUT OF THE BLUE

AN ANSWER COMES TO YOUYOU NEVER KNEW YOU KNEW

MAN 2

NOBODY THOUGHT WED LAST

GOOD THING WE NEVER KNEW IT

ITS FUNNY HOW AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

WERE CLOSER THAN EVER

WE HAD SO MUCH TO LEARN

TO BIND US TOGETHER

CLOSER THAN EVER

AND NOW

WERE STEADIER BY HALF

THANK GOD WE LEARNED TO LAUGH

THANK GOD WHEN YOU FOUND YOUR NEW YOUI LOVED HER, TOO.

WE STILL HAVE OUR STORMY DAYS

EVEN THE WORSE CANT SHAKE US

IF ALL WE HAVE COME THROUGH

COULD NOT BREAK US

WHATS AHEAD CAN ONLY MAKE US

STRONGER THAN EVER

CLEARER THAN EVER

IM CLOSER THAN EVER TO YOUWOMAN 1

WE STILL HAVE OUR STORMY DAYS

MEN

EVEN THE WORSE CANT SHAKE US

ALL

IF ALL WE HAVE COME THROUGH

COULD NOT BREAK US

WHATS AHEAD CAN ONLY MAKE US

STRONGER THAN EVERCLEARER THAN EVER

IM CLOSER THAN EVER

TO YOU!

JOHN YAP WOULD LIKE TO THANK JENN COLELLA, SARAH DOUGLAS, GEORGE DVORSKY,

ANDREW GERLE, ALAN STEVENS HEWITT, ANDREW LEVINE, RICHARD MALTBY, JR.,

JAMES MORGAN, CHRISIIANE NOLL, BERNITA ROBINSON, DAVID SHIRE, SAL VIVIANO,


46/47

DANNY WELLER AND ALL AT THE YORK THEATRE.

FIRST PERFORMANCE AT THE YORK THEATRE, NEW YORK ON JUNE 5 2012.

RECORDED AT AVATAR STUDIOS ON JULY 13/15/16 2012.PRODUCED FOR RECORDS BY JOHN YAP

RECORDING ENGINEER: ROBERT L. SMITH

ASSISTANT ENGINEER:TYLER HARTMAN

MIXING AND MASTERING ENGINEER: SOPHIE MARCHANT

MASTERED AT FINESPLICE STUDIOS, LONDON

PHOTOS: CAROL ROSEGG

CD GRAPHICS: BARBEL GRAPHICS

MUSIC PUBLISHED BY WARNER CHAPPELL LTD.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: JOHN YAP.

Sal Viviano, Jenn Colella, Christiane Noll and George Dvorsky


47/47

Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire

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