Diversity – A Celebration of the Good in Everyone
Welcome to the new season of Songbook—the official name is Arts and Artists of Tomorrow – Broadway’s Future. The series presents songs written by up-and-coming composers, writers, and lyricists writing for the theater. In Diversity, producer/director John Znidarsic set out to present (in his words) “an evening of new songs written and performed by a variety of artists from all walks of life.”
And diversity was certainly represented. The music and lyrics to one song were written by the Australian Siri—she actually does all of the recording for Siri answering questions in Australia. Her song “Time to Say Goodbye” had a mellow opening but then picked up in tempo and power, and was very effective. That was the second song of the evening. The first, also mellow in a pop-lite way, was written and performed by the guy who acts as stage manager for these events. Who knew he was also a singer/songwriter? Well, now we do.
As usual, some (but not all) of the new songs are from new musicals. Two of these were from Shooting Star: A Revealing New Musical based on the pornography industry. The first was an interesting duet for two guys trying to find love amid all the random sex they’ve been exploring, while the second was an aging former porn star yearning for the pre-internet porn days. The vocalist here is also the Cowboy in the current iteration of the Village People.
After a stand-alone song written and performed by the composer, with guitar accompaniment, the next song was from Bradical and the Pink Socks, based on a children’s book of the same name. It was a lot of fun. “Running Out,” from Awakened, was a powerfully presented song with the kernel of truth that “Love don’t last forever.” As a side note, most of these musicals are in table reading, workshop, or pre-production stages.
Along the diversity trail, we next heard “I Fall in Love Too Easily” played by a jazz trumpeter. I’ve heard him before and really enjoyed his Harry Connick Jr.–like vibe. At one point, he played with a mute in his trumpet, producing a slightly echoing sound.
“The Shirt Song,” from SHE / THEY / HE was the tale of a young girl who saved one of her father’s shirts after he abandoned the family when she was just six years old. It was a touching memory song that also explored her feelings of wanting to be the son her dad always wanted. You want more diversity? A magic act followed—a rather amusing magician with a somewhat deadpan delivery. The requisite volunteers were brought onstage to assist him with the Magic Ropes. It was mildly interesting but almost seemed a little out of place.
After two stand-alone songs, one a duet with piano and cello accompaniment and the other a solo with piano and cello, we heard from the younger generation. “Not Afraid” was written and performed by a thirteen-year-old fellow who did a pretty bang-up job. And the concert ended with the song that actually ended the first concert of Songbook’s inaugural season twenty-seven years ago! The composer was there to play it and the vocalist was also from that first concert. Her pipes aren’t what they used to be, but it was a touching moment nonetheless.
So, rounding out the diversity program, we had black performers, Asian performers, female Asian composers, female lyricists and book writers, a female Australian composer, a transgender composer, a thirteen-year-old composer, a trumpeter, and a magician—am I leaving anyone out? Next month’s Songbook will be more traditional, featuring the songs of Dan Green. I plan on being there.
ConcertMeister
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