Liars and Saints

 Yesterday, I interviewed for a tutoring position; one-third of the Zoom call failed to materialize, and she never sent a heads-up (or explained her absence, in the ensuing hours). I tried to play it cool--as if this were not the sole interview I'd had, in a long while--but, after the call, I became excited by the thought of "Linkedin," and I immediately sent a "request to connect." Then I spent the rest of the day fretting that my request would come off as "needy." "Girls5eva" is my story. I watch it because I *am* Dawn. Drifting through her forties, Dawn dreams of a renewed connection to "the world outside parenthood." But that world is youth-obsessed. Ariana Grande sings of her many dazzling romantic entanglements; by contrast, Dawn is mainly worried that her spouse will watch "The Crown" before all members of the family are present in the living room--present and accounted for. Dawn gives voice to my concerns. For exam...

  My husband and I attended "Broadway for Biden." A few thoughts: * I'm really "done" with the original cast of  Hamilton . Renee Elise Goldsberry appears, and she doesn't even sing a song; she just shouts some lefty bromides and makes "earnest eyes" for the crowd. Then Leslie Odom walks out--wearing silk pajamas? or a stylized karate suit?--and sings "Dear Theodosia." This is not a song anyone would ardently wish for. "The original Aaron Burr! Let's forget his solos. I'm really hoping for  Dear Theodosia ." People paid a great deal of money to be in this room. * LaChanze is superhuman. She looks and sounds like she is twenty-five years old. She is like a walking Encyclopedia of the History of Broadway. She doesn't need to say anything; just from seeing her, I feel goosebumps. Can we find a spot for her in the "Titanic" revival? Why wasn't she Dolly Levi--four or five years ago? *I have always been wro...

 It's said that theater has only two kinds of songs: the "I Want" song and the "I Am" song. The distinction becomes blurry, but generally an "I Am" song is simply a self-portrait; it's not a declaration of "want." A classic in the "I Am" bucket is "Mr. Cellophane," from  Chicago.  Another is "Cockeyed Optimist," from  South Pacific. If you're singing "I Am," you're reflecting on how you feel; you aren't focused on a specific thing that you desire.  This weekend, America will celebrate Into the Woods , which has a terrific "I Am" moment, a song called "It Takes Two." It's about a married couple taking new risks; emboldened by a quest, the wife interrupts the narrative to state some blunt truths about her husband.... You've changed.  You're daring. You're different in the woods. More sure-- More sharing. You're getting us through the woods. If you co...

 One bright spot from my week is "Four Stars," a hit from "Girls5eva." This is a spoof on "the empowerment anthem," in which a female belter admits she isn't perfect. "If you're too school for cool....and you're treated like a fool...." "I know that I'm a handful, baby; I know I never think before I jump...." One thing I admire in "Four Stars" is the specificity: "I'm done with playing it cool; I kinda *liked* high school. There. I said it. I don't regret it. Women are an ocean of secrets!" I also admire the terrible similes. "Like delicious bread, I'm ready to rise!" "I'll do it my way--like Sinatra or Burger King." It's worth applauding "Girls5eva" for making Sara Bareilles branch out, and for allowing the lunacy of Renee Elise Goldsberry to really, really flower. I'm inspired by these weirdos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Sy6extUwg