A Better Tomorrow

[00:01] there's still so much promise and you don't have to change everything but you

[00:06] can just start by wanting something a little bit better than what's going on

[00:10] right now and what's going on right now um well I want better I bet you do too

[00:17] so today right here gonna say the station name again just to cover my rear

[00:23] end you're listening to W.O.R.T. 89.9 FM here in Madison Wisconsin today we're

[00:30] celebrating through show tunes a better tomorrow kicking us off

[00:35] Shirley McLean performing there's got to be something better than this from sweet

[00:40] charity here we go

[01:18] I'm gonna get out I'm gonna get up get out learn it

[01:37] there's gotta be some light cleaner than this there's gotta be some good reason to

[01:44] live and when I find me I'm gonna get up I'm gonna get up I'm gonna get up get up

[01:51] I'm gonna be a receptionist and one of those glass skyscrapers nine to five my

[02:02] own typewriter and water cooler and office parties and coffee breaks

[02:36] I'm gonna get out of here and I'm gonna go right I am gonna be one of them east

[03:01] side high class restaurants you know a trade full of cigarettes costing 60

[03:05] cents a pack and keep the chain all those hats coming in derbies Homburg's

[03:11] ooh and that cute little checkered number with the skinny brim in the

[03:16] feather check out sir check your coat sir check your vest sir check your pants

[03:24] check your socks sir check your shoes sir I can hold them while you dance

[03:29] check your eyes sir check your ears sir check and see if you were free how

[03:34] about it after hours I'll check and you check me

[03:48] me too me too I'm gonna get out to the baby what can you do I don't know I'll

[03:54] just get me out of here and I'll figure it out later there's got to be some

[03:58] light cleaner than this there's gotta be some good reason to live and when I

[04:06] find

[04:17] who say to you you have my eyes you have your mother's name when you came into the

[05:53] world you cried and it broke my heart I'm dedicating every day to you domestic

[06:06] life was never quite my style when you smile you knocked me out of fall apart

[06:14] and the thought I was so smart you will come of age with our young nation we

[06:23] then fight for you we'll make it right for you

[06:26] nation we'll pass it on to you we'll give the world to you and you'll blow us

[06:36] all away some day some day some day some day you smile I am under there is

[07:09] so much inside me now you outshine the morning sun I fall apart and I thought I

[07:27] was so smart and that I'll be around for it on to you yeah you'll blow me up

[08:36] and that was dear Theodosia from Hamilton sung by Leslie Odom jr. and Lin-Manuel

[08:42] Miranda one of my favorite favorite songs in that show it's such a lovely quiet

[08:47] moment a really welcome break in in all of the the chaos and the what is it

[08:55] hundred and oh no it's like 600 I'm not gonna quote it I'm gonna get wrong how

[09:00] many words per minute there are in Hamilton there's a lot and I know it's

[09:06] popular now to be hard on Lin-Manuel Miranda I don't really get it but I think

[09:13] that something like dear Theodosia shows just what a brilliant composer and

[09:20] storyteller he is that he knew that there needed to be a break and a little bit

[09:24] of sincerity and earnestness in that and I also realized listening to that song

[09:31] how many of the songs I picked today talk about failure not just wanting

[09:35] better and making change and doing the big New Year's new me thing but I love

[09:42] how many of these songs talk about like it's it's not always gonna go well and

[09:47] that's okay acknowledging it makes it a lot easier

[09:50] speaking of things not going super well this next song is from the Broadway

[09:56] production of Amelie a movie I adore a Broadway production I was not wild about

[10:02] but as I was adding this song to this list today I thought I really need to

[10:10] stop thinking about it in terms of being some version of the movie it's its own

[10:14] thing the music is lovely Phillipa Sue in particular sounds so beautiful on it and

[10:22] that's enough it didn't need to be a wild success it's a lovely thing to

[10:27] listen to I hope you enjoy it here is times are hard for dreamers from Amelie

[10:33] I think I got a job where true romances posing thank you writing captions what

[14:23] about the book nothing are you working on the book good no married I know yes me

[14:27] and balls act I finished the one act I got an audition I started the story

[14:54] rehearsal pianist so where are we eating I'm moving to playboy publisher called

[14:58] me I'm doing a rewrite parents are coming I saw my fair lady I rewrote the

[15:01] rewrite sort of enjoyed it throughout the story I'm meeting an agent we're

[15:04] walking together on Sunday we're opening doors singing here we are we're

[15:09] filling up days on time not too far we're following every star there's not

[15:18] enough time sent off the one act started the story I said to come see

[15:46] you I dropped out of college this musician playing in my car doing my one

[15:49] act I rewrote the ballad we started rehearsals the story and then the

[15:55] musician I'm going to pop you we're opening doors

[16:01] Mary another job where's that a brand new concept pop-up pictures what about the

[16:41] book what about the book did you get the publisher the book good Mary let me

[16:45] call you back right this is just a draft right probably it stinks I haven't had

[16:48] the time to do a poll and you say right who wants to live in New York who wants

[16:53] to worry the noise the dirt the heat who wants the garbage cans clanging in

[16:57] the streets suddenly I do they're always popping their cork I'll fix that

[17:03] line the cops the cabbies the sales girls up at sacks you gotta have a real

[17:07] taste for maniacs suddenly I do that's great that's swell the stuff as well

[17:16] it isn't every day you hear a score this strong but fell as if I made

[17:21] there's only one thing wrong there's not a turn you can hum there's not a

[17:26] turn you go bump bump bump did I'm you need a tune you go bump bump bump down

[17:31] give me a melody why can't you throw him a crumb what's wrong with letting him

[17:38] tap that toes a bit I'll let you know when Stravinsky has a hit give me a

[17:42] melody sure I know it's not that kind of show but can't you have a score the

[17:51] sort of in between like play a little more I'll show you what I mean who wants to

[17:57] live in New York I always hated the dirt the heat the noise but ever since I met

[18:03] you I listen boys maybe its me that's just not a hum mmam pam pam pam pam pam pam pam pam pam pam pam

[18:13] with the girl God leave your name with the girl just write a plane on

[18:19] They're stopping rehearsals, they ran out of money.

[18:39] We lasted one issue, my book was rejected.

[18:42] The nightclub was raided, I have to start coaching.

[18:45] My parents are coming.

[18:46] They screwed up the laundry.

[18:47] While it was stolen.

[18:48] I saw the musicians.

[18:49] We're being evicted.

[18:50] I'm having a breakdown.

[18:51] We'll all get together on Sunday.

[18:52] They're slamming the doors, singing, go away.

[18:56] It's less of a sale than a climb.

[19:00] That far away shores, farther every day.

[19:03] We're learning to ricochet, we still have a lot to say.

[19:07] You know what we'll do?

[19:08] What?

[19:09] We'll do a review.

[19:10] What?

[19:11] We'll do a review of our own.

[19:13] What?

[19:14] Where?

[19:15] Why?

[19:16] When?

[19:17] Not just songs, but stories, scenes, piano pieces, mine.

[19:18] Yeah.

[19:19] Frankly fresh.

[19:20] A showcase of our own.

[19:21] Where?

[19:22] The club's reopening.

[19:23] We'll write a lot of new stuff.

[19:24] Rewrite old stuff.

[19:25] What about the girl?

[19:26] I don't need a girl.

[19:27] Oh, Mary.

[19:28] Thanks.

[19:29] I don't before I'm accepted dinner.

[19:30] Who wants to live in New York?

[19:31] I can sing higher.

[19:40] Who wants to live in New York?

[19:41] Who wants to live in New York?

[19:43] Who wants to?

[19:44] Who wants to?

[19:46] Thank you for coming.

[19:47] They're always popping their cork.

[19:49] Uppetone.

[19:51] Cops the cabbie girls up a sex.

[19:52] Uppetone.

[19:54] You gotta have a real taste for maniacs.

[19:56] Thank you.

[19:57] You're higher.

[19:58] I'm Frank.

[19:59] I really thought I stank.

[20:01] I'm Frank.

[20:02] I'm Frank.

[20:03] I'm Frank.

[20:04] I'm Frank.

[20:05] I'm Frank.

[20:06] Frank.

[20:07] Frank.

[20:08] Frank.

[20:09] Frank.

[20:10] I stank.

[20:11] I'm Mary.

[20:12] Charlie.

[20:13] And by the way, I'm told we open Saturday.

[20:14] Serious.

[20:16] Nobody's ready.

[20:17] Apparently somebody canceled a booking.

[20:19] But, your songs aren't finished.

[20:20] And what about costumes?

[20:21] And how do I learn all the numbers?

[20:22] I'll bring you the cops, but please don't lie.

[20:23] I still have a signature.

[20:24] You gonna have message the armored

[20:31] We will have crosses.

[20:32] Singing.

[20:33] Here we are.

[20:34] We're filling up days, our restores, looking not too far.

[21:11] Speaking of things not always going right, once more, that was Opening Doors from the

[21:18] new Broadway cast recording of Marily We Roll Along starring Jonathan Groffsos, Groff,

[21:25] Daniel, Weird Al, Ratcliffe, and Lindsay. Somehow, Elphaba's the least impressive thing

[21:31] on her resume, Mendez. Really, really remarkable. I'm always kind of blown away when I turn

[21:37] on that particular cast recording how clear it is. Some of the sound mixing on it is just

[21:46] I have listened to a lot of Marily We Roll Along. A lot, a lot. I love that show. There

[21:53] are parts of the score that I've never totally heard before on a recording before this one

[21:58] came out. Really, really good stuff. Up next, a little heartbreak for you on the Sunday.

[22:06] It's Ellen Greene performing Somewhere That's Green from Little Shop of Horrors.

[22:11] But I'm dating Sadist, so I got a black eye, and my arms in a cast. Still that seem wise but cutie.

[22:38] But if not, he is good enough. And I dream of a place where we could be together, but less.

[26:19] You try to save the day. Find a way we're gone.

[29:35] Was the Act One finale from Spongebob Squarepants, the new musical. A show I have often talked

[29:42] about because I love it so dang much. It's so charming. And it's wild that it's as cohesive

[29:49] as it is given the ridiculous number of people who contributed to it. If you are not familiar,

[29:56] almost every song on that score has been written by a different musical act from some

[30:04] of my favorites, like They Might Be Giants and David Bowie to Jonathan Colton and The

[30:10] Flaming Lips. It's wild. And it's very cool.

[30:15] Up next, I've got for you a song from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which it's hard

[30:23] to say it's maybe Alan Menken's most aching I want song. And I say that as someone who

[30:30] just played Somewhere That's Green for you. I just there's something so soaringly beautiful

[30:39] about the song. Hunchback of Notre Dame, wildly underrated Disney movie. I'm desperate for

[30:48] it to get a production of the stage version that actually sticks. There have been some

[30:53] really cool regional productions that have done some neat things with accessibility and

[30:59] casting deaf or hard of hearing actors to play Quasimodo. Very, very cool stuff that I wish

[31:06] more theaters were embracing. There's also, of course, the long running production in Germany.

[31:13] But we're due for a more solid, I don't know, Broadway staging of it. Broadway is clearly

[31:20] desperate for new shows or shows that just need a little buff and polish. Hunchback of

[31:27] Notre Dame is right there, guys. Give it a whirl. Try something cool with your casting

[31:32] that's, you know, diverse and accessible. Wouldn't that be fun? I opted for the movie soundtrack

[31:41] here mostly because I prefer Tom Hulse's performance over Michael Arden. I just think that Tom

[31:49] Hulse brings an earnestness to it that's kind of lost in Michael Arden's. But, you

[31:54] know, your mileage may vary. Here is out there from the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

[32:00] The world is cruel. It's I alone whom you can trust in this whole city. I am your only

[32:20] friend. I who keep you, you dress you. I who look upon you without fear. How can I protect

[32:32] you, boy? Unless you always stay in here, away. Remember what I've taught you, Quasimodo.

[32:44] You are deformed. I am deformed. And you are ugly. And I am ugly. And these are crimes

[32:49] for which the world shows little pity. You do not comprehend. You are my one defender.

[32:57] Out there they'll revile you as a monster. I am a monster. Out there they will hate

[33:03] and scorn and jeer. Only a monster. Why invite their calumny and consternation? Stay in here.

[33:12] Be thankful for I'm grateful. As I say, obey and stay in here. Safe behind these windows

[33:45] and these parapets of stone. Gazing at the people down below me. All my life I watch

[33:53] them as I hide up here alone. Hungry for the histories they show me. All my life I memorize

[34:01] their faces. Knowing them as they will never know me. All my life I wonder how it feels

[34:10] to pass a day. Not above them. Part of them. The sun. Give me one day. All I ask is one.

[34:33] To hope forever. Where they all live on. And where one hangers and their wives and

[35:07] their games I can see them. Let's start the gift and see them. Taste them on Google free.

[35:43] Just one day and then I swear I'm dead.

[36:24] Uh, Shan here jumping on real quick because as I kept saying Michael Arden's name before that

[36:30] I was like wait a minute is that yes dear listeners I should have known that Michael Arden

[36:35] who originally played Quasimodo in the English production is the Michael Arden who also directed

[36:44] the likes of Maybe Happy Endings and the Queen of Versailles and maybe if you're listening

[36:49] Broadway producers Michael Arden should direct the next Broadway production of Hunchback of

[36:56] Notre Dame. You're welcome. Just thank me in the program and maybe send me a free ticket

[37:00] and airfare. Yeah. Also I am having a heck of a time mixing some of these songs today.

[37:07] Apologies if I'm if you're straining or it's blasting out your speakers. I'm really trying.

[37:14] Doubly so for this next one. She's a powerhouse. She's amazing. It's one of the most

[37:20] incredible showstopping numbers that's ever been performed. Here's Cynthia Arevo performing. I'm

[37:26] here from the color purple. Cross your fingers for me while I mix this. Enjoy.

[38:16] I know you still love me. Got my children. I can't hold them now. They may not be here

[38:39] but they still mine. I hope I still love them. When my body don't. That was Everything Changes

[45:12] from Waitress sung by Jesse Mueller, Kiala Settle and Kimiko Glenn along with the whole ensemble.

[45:20] Really lovely lovely piece and it's true. Everything changes whether we like it or not

[45:27] but change is good most of the time. Next is Endless Night from The Lion King.

[45:35] Just because I love how hopeful this song is.

[45:38] Night will always come but so will so will day and we just have to have faith in that.

[45:47] Here's Endless Night.

[47:15] I'm trying to hold one word just to warm this nightmare and will the dawn break

[47:35] home this nightmare. This next song I'm pretty excited to share with you. It's from an upcoming

[50:37] Broadway show that if you would have told me a couple years ago they were making a Broadway

[50:42] musical out of this. Actually I think when I read the news I laughed pretty hard because I was like

[50:46] you can't do that. That's silly. We're taking this whole movies into musicals thing too far

[50:53] but it's true. They're making The Lost Boys the musical. Yes the 1980s

[51:01] Kiefer Sutherland, Alex Winter, Corey's Hame and Feldman, Vampire Movie,

[51:08] Awesome Saxophone Solo. It is being turned into a Broadway musical and I have to tell you my

[51:14] friends I am cautiously optimistic about this one. The music that they've been releasing and

[51:20] they've been very smart and how they're releasing it. A couple tracks every month or so they

[51:28] brought on you're gonna hear Kasey Levy. I'm probably saying her name wrong I'm so sorry Kasey

[51:33] and also favorite modern scream queen Patrick Wilson who's returning to Broadway soon in Big

[51:40] Fish. They brought them in to record what are called the Santa Carla Sessions from which I'm

[51:46] going to play. I really dig the sound of this musical. I think it could be really fantastic.

[51:54] Now we've lost Kasey Levy from Levi, gosh darn it, from the Broadway cast but I'm thrilled

[52:03] to have her on the song. She sounds incredible. Here is Wild from the upcoming musical The Lost Boys.

[52:53] My friends brings us just about to the end of our time together. Thank you so so much as always

[56:14] for tuning in and joining me for one of my little little musical rants. Like I said I love January

[56:21] because I think there's a lot of hope in what we can do better. I know that there's a lot of

[56:27] bittersweet too with thinking about what's gone wrong and what we could have done better in the

[56:32] past but every day is a chance to do a little bit better by yourself and by the world around you.

[56:41] If one of your resolutions as mine is is to be more involved in your community

[56:46] please please please consider joining WORT as a volunteer. We are always looking for folks

[56:54] who are passionate about their community and passionate about music to join us.

[56:59] More information can be found as always at WORTFM.org. This is the time for community my friends.

[57:07] I really loved what Zoran Mamdami said during his inauguration of the time for rugged

[57:12] individualism is over. Now we need the warmth of collectivism. I believe that firmly and

[57:20] as a community radio station we rely on that warmth a great deal. So please consider joining us.

[57:28] I would love to see some friendly show tunes faces around the station. I'm going to close it out

[57:37] with first you've got coming up next on the horizon. Please stick around for that. Always

[57:42] a great time. Always a lovely way to just get through the Sunday scaries. I love listening

[57:49] to it on my drive home after the show. WORT is a pretty amazing place and getting to hear

[57:56] the diversity just on Sunday. Just Sunday shows are fantastic in their diversity so please stick

[58:04] around. Going to close us out on a classic New Year's anthem for Broadway musicals,

[58:12] the finale from the original cast recording of Rent. Thanks again. Take care of yourselves.

[58:40] The 47th annual mad fest juggling extravaganza hosted by comedy and yo-yo man Mark Hayward

[61:01] on Saturday January 17th at the Barrymore theater. This annual event features an array of circus arts

[61:08] and more. This year's lineup includes high energy comedy from Alex Serby and Kenny Aaron juggling

[61:13] and art from Jay Gilligan and David Chernovi, masterful sear wheeling from Ali Ott, plus support

[61:20] from local club passing heroes the Mad Jugglers. More information about the show can be found at

[61:25] Barrymorelive.com. The 47th annual mad fest juggling extravaganza is on Saturday January

[61:32] 17th at the Barrymore at 7 p.m. You are listening to WORT 89.9 FM Madison and WORT FM.org.

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