#818 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Friday December 15)
Good morning,
Today, a celebration of hope, optimism, acceptance and love, in music and words:
MUSIC
There are times when music and acting combine for a sublime moment, which I often feel in the best of musical theatre. One such moment occurred the other day, when Andrea and I attended a concert featuring Audra McDonald, the acclaimed Broadway and opera star. She shared with the audience that she tries to choose songs that speak to certain messages. Ms. McDonald’s choices included affirmations of “being who you are” (including a cute rendition of “It’s Not Easy Being Green,” first sung by Kermit the Frog) and experiencing joy and hope, even if turbulent times like ours. Here are a few of my favorites:
For being oneself and living by one’s own terms, here’s Gloria Gaynor’s somewhat jazzed up version of “I Am What I Am,” from La Cage Aux Folles: I Am What I Am, sung by Gloria Gaynor
One of the most moving reminders of our short time on this earth and how important it is to seize the moment, and to live life fully and with gusto, “Before the Parade Passes By,” sung by Barbra Streisand (although it’s a close call whether Carol Channing’s Broadway star turn might have been better):
Before the Parade Passes By, sung by Barbra Streisand
The show ended with Ms. McDonald singing a duet medley with her Music Director and Conductor of the orchestra: “Happy Days are Here Again,” and “Come On Get Happy,” which brought the house down. Here is Barbra Streisand, with a slow burn “Happy Days are Here Again”: Happy Days Are Here Again, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.
To get a feeling for the medley, here is a brief clip of Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland, doing a truncated version of this great mash-up:
POETRY
I’ll close with some of the lyrics from “Before the Parade Passes By,” penned by Jerry Herman (who did both the music and lyrics for Hello Dolly:
Before it goes on
And only I'm left
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta get in step while there's still time left
I'm ready to move out in front
Life without life has no reason or rhyme left
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I wanna hold my head up high
I need a goal again
I need a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta go and taste Saturday's high life
Before the parade passes by
I've gotta get some life back into my life
I'm ready to move out in front
I've had enough of just passing by life
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I can hold my head up high
For I've got a goal again
I've got a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by…
Have a great weekend,
Glenn