Musical Theatre

Book by Richard Aellen. Lyricist TBD. A full-length musical drama loosely adapted from Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Book by Richard Aellen. Lyricist TBD. A full-length original romantic comedy set in the future where a secret attempt to use an android as an understudy has unexpected consequences.

Lyrics by Rocco Natale

Instrumentation: soprano and piano

Duration: 2′

Performance history:

Collaboration with librettist / lyricist Rocco Natale for the BMI musical theatre workshop. BMI assignment – a character song for Blanche Dubois from Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.

Soprano Christiana Little, pianist Cynthia Lee Wong.

Lyrics by Rocco Natale:

Scene in progress: litter from the Poker party still lingers on the ground as Mitch comforts Blanche.

BLANCHE
There’s so much-so much confusion in the world. Thank you for being so kind. I need kindness now.

Mitch tips his hat to Blanche and exits. She watches him go. She bends down and picks up a poker chip on the ground. She holds it and sings after him.

LET ME BE LUCKY
JUST THIS ONCE
HELP ME MAKE HIM SEE
LET ME BE HAPPY
JUST THIS ONCE
LET HIM FALL FOR ME

LET ME BE PRETTY
ONE LAST TIME
LET ME FEEL HIS TOUCH
LET ME BE WANTED
JUST THIS ONCE
IT WOULDN’T TAKE MUCH

Blanche notices the silhouettes of Mr. & Mrs. Kowalski in the window. She stares.

I LOOK FOR THE LIGHTS
THAT FADED AWAY
I LISTEN FOR RECORDS
THAT NO LONGER PLAY
I WAIT FOR THE BOYS
WHO LEFT ONCE I TAUGHT ‘EM
A GIRL NEEDS A MAN
WHEN SPRING TURNS TO AUTUMN

LET ME BE LOVED,
ALL I WANT
CARED FOR HAPPILY
LET ME BE LUCKY
GOD, MAKE ME LUCKY
FINALLY LUCKY
LET HIM FALL FOR ME

The light in the window dims, Blanche clutches the poker chip in her hand. Curtain.

END OF ACT ONE

Lyrics by Blaze Gusic

Instrumentation: soprano and piano

Duration: 3-4′

Performance history:

Collaboration with lyricist Blaze Gusic for the BMI musical theatre workshop.

Soprano Natalie Fabian, pianist Cynthia Lee Wong.

Lyrics and description by Blaze Gusic:

The scene is sung by a young woman who is handicapped. She lives on a farm and dreams of getting away and becoming a famous actress…at least of getting away and walking…

I WOULD LOVE THE CITY.
ANYWHERE BUT HERE.
BUT THEY GIVE ME PITY
AS I SIT AND WONDER WHERE?
WHERE MY LIFE BEGINS.
WHERE I GET TO BE
ANYWHERE BUT HERE
AND ANYONE BUT ME.

IT’S SOMEWHERE, ISN’T IT?
WHERE MY DREAMS COME TRUE,
WHERE THERE’S A CHANCE TO BE
SOMEONE WHO IS NOT ME.
WHERE THINGS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT.
IT’S NOT A WORLD OF BLACK AND WHITE.

IT’S SOMEWHERE ISN’T IT?
WHERE I’LL GET TO DO
THE THINGS I WANT SO MUCH
WITHOUT A BRACE OR CRUTCH.
WHERE THEY WILL LISTEN WHEN I TALK.
I’LL SING, I’LL DANCE, I’LL RUN, I’LL WALK!

BUT NOW
I HAVE TO LIVE HERE ON THE FARM.
AND NOW
I HAVE TO STAY BEHIND THIS DOOR.
AND NOW
I HAVE TO LIVE WITHOUT THE CHARM,
A CRUTCH BENEATH MY ARM.
HOW I WANT SOMETHING MORE.

IT’S SOMEWHERE, ISN’T IT?
GOLD AND RED AND BLUE,
THE LIGHTS THAT FLOOD THE STAGE
WHERE I AM ALL THE RAGE.
THEY’LL TELL ME, “TRAVEL WIDE AND FAR.
INSTEAD OF STAY HERE WHERE YOU ARE.”

IT’S SOMEWHERE, ISN’T IT?
WHERE I CAN JUST BE FREE.
WHERE THERE’S A CHANCE TO BE
SOMEONE WHO IS NOT ME.

FOR NOW, I’LL DREAM ABOUT THAT DAY.
I’LL WISH UPON A STAR
AND HOPE IT’S NOT TOO FAR AWAY.
IF ONLY THAT DAY WERE TODAY.

Instrumentation: soprano and piano

Duration: 2′

Performance history:

Collaboration with librettist / lyricist Richard Aellen for the BMI musical theatre workshop.

Soprano Natalie Fabian, pianist Cynthia Lee Wong.

Libretto / lyrics by Richard Aellen:

The set-up: It’s the 1970’s and conventional CARL has recently met SYLVIA, a feminist who wears only pants-suits. In this song she explains why.

SYLVIA
Pants-suits are more practical than petticoats and dresses. Everybody will dress
like me by the year two thousand.

(Music starts, underscoring the dialogue.)

CARL
Not me, I’m a vive la différence man.

SYLVIA
That’s because la differénce puts you at the top of the la vive.

(She sings.)

WHO MAKES THE FASHIONS WOMEN WEAR
WHY DO I FEEL MISLED?
MEN MAKE THE FASHIONS. WOMEN MAKE
THE BABIES AND THE BED

WHY SHOULD I WEAR WHAT MEN DESIGN
FITTED TO WHAT THEY LIKE
MODEL OR GODDESS, GIRL NEXT DOOR
OR SOME BALL-BUSTING DYKE

HOW DOES A MAN LIKE YOU GROW UP
TO MAKE THE WORLD HIS OWN?
IS IT THE COAT AND TIE OR JUST
ALL THAT TESTOSTERONE?

I WANT A WORLD THAT’S GENDERLESS
EQUAL IN ALL RESPECTS
I WANT A MAN TO SEE ME FIRST
INSTEAD OF FIRST MY SEX

SOMEDAY THE WORLD WILL DRESS LIKE ME
AND IF A MAN PROTESTS
HE’LL HAVE TO LOOK ME IN THE EYE
INSTEAD OF EYE MY BREASTS

YOU SAY, “VIVE LA DIFFÉRENCE”
IT’S NOT MY CUP OF TEA
THERE IS A BIGGER “DIFFÉRENCE”
THAT MEANS MUCH MORE TO ME

THE SEXES ARE NOT EQUAL BUT
LIKE ONE AND ONE MAKE TWO
ONE OF US IS WORTH TWO YOU.