My Friends....You shall drip rubies. (Or, have a great weekend!)

First off, thank you so very much to everyone who left the incredibly supportive comments on my post about the Little Prince and his speaking issues. It was comforting to know how many of you have dealt with the same problem and now your kids are doctors and lawyers! This is why the blog world is so amazing - everyone supports everyone else! I read every single comment and appreciate the time you all took to help make me feel better.

The assessment went well. The Little Prince is very advanced physically and in comprehension so the case manager will be referring him to the speech pathologist to see if we can do anything to get him speaking.


Now back to my charmed life!

It seems I need to educate all of you on the fine art of musical theatre! Long before The Lion King and Wicked there was an incredible musical by Stephen Sondheim called Sweeney Todd. I first saw this show back in 1992 when a friend asked me to be an Assistant Stage Manager on the production she was working on.

Stephen Sondheim took this show to the boards in 1979. The role of Mrs Lovett was written for Angela Lansbury and for those of you who think the 2007 movie was good - you need to see Angela Lansbury's performance. She makes HBC look like a chair leg! The original Sweeney was played by Len Cariou but unfortunately he put so much into his performance he strained his vocal cords to the point of permanent damage!

Sweeney Todd has been staged all over the world! Did you know the movie was as good as it was because Stephen Sondheim was on set every day overseeing the direction? I think Johnny Depp did a wonderful job of playing Sweeney and I have seen a lot of Sweeneys over the years!

Tonight I will settle into my seat at the theatre and take in the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian England compliments of a bestie who works for a radio station and got us free tickets. This is about the 10th time I have seen Sweeney Todd, on stage, as it was always meant to be seen - my friend has been given instructions to elbow me if I suddenly start singing along with the actors!

Mrs. Lovett (spoken)

My! Them handles is chased silver, ain't they?

Sweeney Todd (spoken)

Silver, yes.
(sung)
These are my friends.
See how they glisten.
See this one shine...
How he smiles in the light.
My friend.
My faithful friend...
Speak to me friend.
Whisper...
I'll listen.
I know, I know you've been locked
out of sight
all these years, like me
My friend...
well I've come home to find you waiting.
Home, and we're together!
And we'll do wonders.
Won't we?
You there, my friend?

Mrs. Lovett

I'm your friend too, Mr. Todd
If you only knew, Mr. Todd
Ooh, Mr. Todd
You're warm in my hand.
You've come home!
Always had a fondness for you, I did.


Sweeney Todd (simultaneously)

Come let me hold you.
Now, with a sigh, you grow warm in my hand.
My friend!
My clever friend...

Mrs. Lovett

Never you fear, Mr. Todd
You can move in here, Mr. Todd
Mr. Todd, splendors.
You never have dreamed
all your days
will be yours!
I'm your friend
and you're mine!
Don't they shine beautiful?
Silver's good enough for me, Mr. T.

Sweeney Todd (simultaneously)

Rest now, my friends.
Soon, I'll unfold you.
Soon you'll know splendors
You never have dreamed
all you days,
my lucky friends
'Til now your shine was merely silver.
Friends, you shall drip rubies, you'll soon drip precious rubies...
(spoken)
AT LAST! MY RIGHT ARM IS COMPLETE AGAIN!

Have a fabulous day!