All of the songs that are part of my presentation are from Broadway musicals or were written by other contemporary songwriters. I’ve included a little historical background on each song below. To hear previews of any of the songs, click here.
Children Will Listen
by Stephen Sondheim from the musical Into the Woods
I was cast in a production of Into the Woods right after I graduated from high school. I was Rapunzel, and felt so lucky to have a chance to be in this production. I have so many wonderful memories from that show (the memory of my itchy wig – made of braided rope – was not one of them), but my favorite part was singing “Children Will Listen” every night as part of the finale. I love the lyrics. And I really love the version I sing in my presentation – Stephen Sondheim added a couple of verses for one of Barbra Streisand’s Broadway albums, and I love the additions. I think they add so much to the message of the song.
I Want to Be a Mother
by Janeen Jacobs Brady
I love looking into the audience when I sing this song! I can always spot several women singing along! This song was originally part of a record called Songs for a Mormon Child, which included other favorites of mine like “Never Tell a Lie” and “I Am Learning How to Spell.” (And in other fun trivia, I just found out my friend Marie Te Hapuku was the original vocalist on this song! I sang along to her voice for years not realizing it was her!)
I Want it All
by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire from the musical Baby
I discovered this song in a class at Brigham Young University when I was studying Music Dance Theater. In the show, the song is sung by three women waiting in an OB/GYN office, all expecting children at different stages in their lives. It’s a great song, and I was excited that I was able to adapt it in telling my story as well.
Simple Little Things
by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt from the musical 110 in the Shade
This song is from my favorite show and sung by my favorite character I’ve ever played on stage. 110 in the Shade is a musical based on the play The Rainmaker by Richard Nash. In the show, the main character Lizzie is considered an old maid by everyone in the town, but only because that is how she sees herself. A stranger comes to town to help make it rain and also helps Lizzie see that she is beautiful and has a great deal to offer if she can only believe in herself. It’s such a beautiful musical with an important message, and it’s filled with fantastic songs.
I Won’t Mind
by Jeff Blumenkranz, Annie Kessler and Libby Saines
I first heard this song at an Audra McDonald concert. It completely stopped me in my tracks and has haunted me ever since. I found the sheet music in New York City at Colony Music, learned it immediately, and started looking for an occasion to sing it. This song really tells the story of a portion of my life that nothing else can.
Hold On
by Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman from the musical The Secret Garden
I remember learning this song in high school, and then being so excited when I was asked to sing it as a solo in 1993 when I was a member of the BYU Young Ambassadors. We toured Russia that year, and even though I know the audiences couldn’t understand all of the lyrics, I really felt like they understood the message of the song. The lyrics have always been a source of great inspiration to me at times when things get hard.
In the Meantime
by Tyler Castleton and Staci Peters
I still remember hearing this song for the first time. It’s another song that really stopped me in my tracks and made me think. Tyler is a friend of mine from years ago – he was our stage manager in Young Ambassadors before his songwriting career took off. I’m so proud of him and all he’s accomplished. He is a fantastic musician and has been a great friend and huge support to me.
Just a Housewife
by Craig Carnelia from the musical Working
I have always had great respect for anyone who attempts to sing this song. It’s a tough one. I never dared sing it myself, but as I was putting this show together, I felt like it really needed to be included. Especially since I really understand the lyrics in a way I never would had I attempted to sing this song in college. *grin*
Grateful
by John Bucchino
My friend Dave Tinney included this song on an album he released several years ago. I purchased it at a super difficult time in my life, and listened to this track over and over and over again. I still sing it to myself on difficult days.
The Story Goes On
by Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire from the musical Baby
This song has intimidated me for years. I never dared sing it in college, because I didn’t think my voice was “big” enough to handle it and sing it the “right” way. Even though I have always loved the lyrics. Even though I love the setting of the song in the original musical – one of the characters sings it after feeling her baby kick for the first time – I just didn’t have the guts to try and sing it. But it really fit in with the story I was trying to tell, so I braved it. And it’s one of my favorite songs to sing.
.jpg)
no comments