Whackadoodle Fun: Something to listen to when you are waiting for anything.
I have always loved the musical Pippin. It sort of helped me understand myself when I was young enough to not understand how important it is to understand yourself. Felt like sharing it with you.
Pippin is a 1972 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse directed the original Broadway production. John Rubinstein played Pippin. Ben Vereen played the stage manager. Just because it came out years ago doesn’t make it’s behind the time. Check it out. You might like it. I recommend that you click past the ads and get to the songs. The next time you are waiting for anything, bus, train, airplane, dinner; this musical story will give you good company.
My mom used to play her original record of it all the time. We both loved it. I know every one of the words. (The musical lasts two hours, so give this post some time to listen because it is all about the songs.)
The story begins with an invitation to Join Us. (Really good song asking you to waste an hour or two on their story.)
Our second song comes from a young privileged man who doesn’t understand his place on the planet, but wants more. After all, his is Extraordinary and must do extraordinary things. Sill, he wants to find his Corner of the Sky.
His father tell him that War and Glory are the answer. But his/our guide reminds us that Simply Joys are the real answer.
Our hero, Pippin, runs to to his Grandmother in the country to see if she has an answer. Her answer is the song, No Time At All. (Incidentally, the woman who played Grandma in the original Broadway cast was Irene Ryan; if you are listening to the song I have posted; she was the Grandma on the the Beverley Hillbillies. So glad that she found an outlet for her gift beyond Hollywood.)
Our next song is when Pippin has met a woman. It’s called With You.
Pippin’s goes home still confused. His stepmother gives him some advice in Spread a Little Sunshine. (My real mother always thought this should be my audition song, especially because the stepmom in the play is only out for herself. Go figure.)
The next song, Morning Glow is about Pippin reminding himself about what is important to him.
Our hero is still worried about how his life is going, so our Stage Manager gets him back On the Right Track.
Suddenly, Jill Clayburgh appears on stage. (Yes, that Jill Clayburgh. She was in the original Broadway cast.) She let’s Pippin know that she is just and Ordinary Woman, and then they sing a Love Song, even though he still feels the need to do Extraordinary Things.
Pippin decides he would rather be extraordinary than happy, and Jill sings about why she will miss him in I Guess I'll Miss The Man.
And then we come to the finale. Hear it for yourself. Think About Your Life. (They are asking him to burn himself up for the glory of the show. He choses to live even if he can’t be extraordinary.)
Hope you really listen to the songs, and share them with your friends. Some stories should never be forgotten. This story is a simple one, but these songs and talents need to be remembered.