The Art of Comedy Recital Programs - June 15, 2024

Theater for the New City and The Yip Harburg Lyrics Foundation present THE ART OF COMEDY WORKSHOP RECITAL PROGRAM Noon, June 15, 2024 Exploring Comic Opera with W. S. Gilbert, Ira Gershwin and Yip Harburg Directed by Mark Marcante – Music Director: Peter Dizozza with J.C. Augustin, Viktor Feoktistov, Susan Goodstein, Ben Harburg, Paul Korzinski, Larry Litt, Lola Lukas, Emily Newhouse, Elizabeth Ruf & Lei Zhou Prelude: Singt dem großen Bassa Lieder – w/ Emily & Elizabeth A song about welcoming the Pasha, from “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” Lyric by Gottlieb Stephanie, Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1782 Singt dem grossen Bassa Lieder, Töne, feuriger Gesang; Und vom Ufer halle wieder Unsrer Lieder Jubelklang! 1. If Somebody There Chanced to Be - Emily Newhouse An innocent lesson in etiquette from “Ruddigore,” Gilbert & Sullivan 1887 2. Were You Not to Koko Plighted - Elizabeth and Lei Zhou A song about what its singers would be doing under different circumstances, from “The Mikado,” W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan 1885, 3. The World Is Your Balloon - Ben Harburg. A puppet encourages its inventor to continue his creativity in this song from “Flahooley,” by Yip Harburg and Sammy Fain 1951 4. The Very Model of a Modern Major-General - J.C. Augustin and Chorus The song of a general who is educated in all matters vegetable, animal and mineral, from “Pirates of Penzance,” Gilbert & Sullivan 1879 5. Of Thee I Sing/Who Cares – Chorus The Campaign Songs of a politician running on a platform of Love, from the Pulitzer Prize winning musical “Of Thee I Sing,” George and Ira Gershwin 1931 6. They All Laughed - Susan Goodstein, Lola Lukas and Viktor Feoktistov. A they-who-laugh-last-laugh-best song from “Shall We Dance,” by George and Ira Gershwin 1937 7. Brother Can You Spare a Dime - Paul Korzinski. More than just political satire, here is a worker's impassioned plea after jobs-well-done are done, from “Americana,” Lyric by Yip Harburg, Music by Jay Gorney 1932 8. Lydia – Ben Harburg, The lessons we learn from tattoos, from “At the Circus,” by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen 1939. (Yip said this is the best love song ever written.) 9. Down With Love - Elizabeth and Emily. An alternate take on love, from “Hooray for What!” by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen, 1937 10. By Strauss - Lei Zhou. A song of Johanne Strauss riffs written to entertain guests at private parties, by George and Ira Gershwin 1936. 11. Here's to Your Illusions - Elizabeth Ruf A toast to bringing into reality illusions of imagination and love, from “Flahooley,” Yip Harburg and Sammy Fain 1951 12. As Some Day It May Happen/I've Got a Little List - Larry Litt with Chorus A song by an execution ready with his own suggestions, “The Mikado,” W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan 1885, with an updated lyric: Larry Litt 13. If I Only Had A Brain, A Heart, The Nerve - Paul, Ben, Lei A wishful song about what the singers would do if they had what they think they lack, from “The Wizard of Oz,” Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen 1939 14. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Chorus. A song that identifies the location of a better place to be, from “The Wizard of Oz,” Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen 1939