If you're of a certain age (and you know what age I mean) and you grew up in the US, you probably grew up with at least an awareness of the songs of Tom Lehrer. I grew up listening to his recordings over and over (when we weren't listening to Alan Sherman, Alvin & the Chipmunks, or Dirty Ed McCurdy) ... and I'm amazed that nobody called social services on my parents! No wonder I never fit in with my peers! I could sing along with every song -- I still have the lyrics squirreled away in my brain -- and I had absolutely no idea what any of them meant. Hearts full of youth, hearts full of truth, six parts gin to one part vermouth? Huh?Tom Lehrer was an integral part of my childhood. Therefore, when I saw that a local community theater was putting on a review of his songs, called Tomfoolery, I had to go. Lehrer was a solo performer, but the songs lent themselves extremely well to this ensemble performance. And the cast of 5 -- none of whom were even conceived in his heyday -- captured the satirical puckishness of the songs so well. And of course we owe so much to today's warmongers and neocons who continue to make songs such as "So Long Mom, I'm Off To Drop the Bomb" as fresh and timely as ever. Thanks George, Dick, Condi, and all the members of the Carlisle Group ... sniff. [Wipes tear from eye.]
What fun.
7 comments:
Hi Luminiferous,
What a great review in a nutshell. Yes, those are wonderful songs. You have such a knowing voice as a writer. I don't know how much editing you do. It flows so well.
Your description of music in your mom and dad's house gave me a real grin.
Oh my god, I had no idea! Is it Broom Street? I have to go. Scout knows a bunch of Tom Lehrer songs. My friend Howard in Santa Whatever, one of the Santas, knows the man himself because he used to volunteer at the local jazz radio station. Shoot, which Santa? Ah, Santa Cruz, of course.
Perhaps you can tell by this post that I am of a certain age.
trtr ... sad to say, yesterday was the last day. We made it just by the skin of our teeth. Hope your meeting went well. Thanks for blessing us with your presence today. I'm looking forward to a nice day on the lake!
Oh, in answer to your question ... it was the Madison Theater Guild. I often forget to go to their productions, but every one I've been to has been excellent, and most affordable. We saw a bang-up Alice in Wonderland 2 summers ago.
Hey ... Mercury Theater is doing Reefer Madness. That should be a hoot!
Let's go!
I have to learn to go to these productions close to the opening, so if it's good I can a) go again, and b) tell other people about it. I almost always go to the last one. duh.
"... as fresh and timely as ever."
That alone makes me want to cry.
Post a Comment