Feature: Broadway Knows how to Celebrate Birthdays; 10 Birthday Showtunes!
By: Matt Tamanini Jun. 29, 2015
My birthday this year took on extra significance, as the Supreme Court of the United States selected that day to rule that all people had an equal and unalienable right to marry whomever they wanted, regardless of gender. While normally a day to indulge in extreme selfishness, I am quite pleased to cede the importance of June 26th from a celebration of my birth to that of love and compassion for all people. Hopefully Derek Jeter, Ariana Grande, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris O'Donnell are all on board as well.
Despite long considering myself a LGBTQ ally, I am now going to turn this feature back to being about my birthday (because I already had the songs chosen before SCOTUS ruled).
So, this month, I am taking over sole duties that I normally share with Jeff Walker, and composing a list of 10 showtunes all about births and birthdays. Feel free to chime in on Twitter (@BWWMatt) or in the comments below with any others you would like to add to the list.
"30/90" from TICK, TICK BOOM
Before TICK, TICK BOOM was an Off-Broadway hit starring Raul Esparza and Amy Spanger, or an Encores! Concert featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Karen Olivio, and Leslie Odom Jr, it was a one-man, autobiographical rock monologue from RENT composer Jonathan Larson. With parallels to a number of Stephen Sondheim shows, including COMPANY (more on that show later), Larson talked about his fears of being an artist turning 30 in 1990.
Video: Jonathan Larson in the original concert production of what became TICK, TICK BOOM.
"The Story Goes On" from BABY
This 1983 musical by David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr. tells the story of three couples whom have recently discovered that they will each be having a child. One, a young couple dealing with the fact that they might not be ready to have a child, another whom has fought through countless difficulties conceiving, and another that already has three grown children and is now wondering if they can handle another baby.
In this song, young expectant mother Lizzie realizes that she is now part of an unending chain that stretches back to the dawn of time.
Video: Lea Salonga and original Lizzie, Liz Callaway, in a concert directed by BroadwayWorld's own Richard Jay-Alexander.
"Soliloquy" from CAROUSEL
There is probably no musical theatre song that better encapsulates the mental gymnastics that one's mind does upon learning that he is to become a father. In this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, no-good carnival barker Billy Bigelow goes from pride to excitement to fear to resolve upon learning that his young wife, Julie Jordan, is expecting a child.
Video: Original Billy Bigelow John Raitt performs the song on "General Foods 25th Anniversary Show: A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein." Incidentally, he named his daughter Bonnie, maybe you've heard of her?
"Happy Birthday to You and to You" from SIDE SHOW
As I said in the intro, birthdays are our special excuses to think about Number One for a 24-hour period. But, what do you do when Number One is literally attached at the hip to Number Two someone else? I guess you change the words to "Happy Birthday" and celebrate with your best freaks friends. In SIDE SHOW, conjoined twins Daisy and Violet HIlton celebrate their birthday with their side show friends. That's about all of the insight I have on this song, since I've never seen SIDE SHOW, as it closed quite quickly on Broadway in both of its runs.
Video: Queen City Theatre Company 2008 production
"Broadway Baby" from FOLLIES
Ok, this one is cheating a little, but any excuse to watch Stritch sing is well worth it. Consider it my birthday present to all of you!
Video: Elaine Stritch from her Tony-winning one-woman show ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY
"Your Daddy's Son" from RAGTIME
In the summer of 1998, I was getting ready to start my senior year at Pickerington High School in Ohio, and after working at Arby's for over a year, I had saved enough money to pay my own way on the Drama Club's annual trip to New York City. I had never been to New York, and we were to see one Off-Broadway and seven Broadway shows over the course of the week. Needless to say, I was excited.
While I saw many wonderful shows that week (LION KING OBC; RENT; BRING IN DA NOISE, BRING IN DA FUNK OBC, THE FANTASTICKS) the one that most affected me was seeing Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald in the breath-taking Ahrens and Flaherty epic, RAGTIME.
Likely suffering from what is now known as post-partum depression, Sarah, an unwed, African American mother in early 1900s New York, buries her newborn boy in the garden of a well-to-do New Rochelle family. After coming to her senses, she returns and reclaims her son, whom has been rescued by the character known only as Mother. In this heart-breaking song, Sarah attempts to explain to her child what could have led her to such an unforgiveable act.
Video: Audra in the original Broadway production. I usually don't like to use bootleg videos for these features, but it is the only one that I could find of Audra, and you really must hear Ms. McDonald sing this song.
"Spark of Creation" from CHILDREN OF EDEN
This Stephen Schwartz musical tells the Biblical story of the Book of Genesis; the ultimate birthday, right? While this song comes after God has created man and woman, in it, Eve feels a spark inside of her left over from her creation. While that spark does eventually lead to the original Original Sin and being cast out of the Garden of Eden, the prospect of going out and making something of her own excites and scares Eve.
Video: BroadwayWorld's favorite beltress, Natalie Weiss, singing at the 2008 Broadway For MusiKids benefit.
"Little Lamb" from GYPSY
Sticking with the "All About Me" birthday vibe, in March of 1999, I was in the last musical of my acting career, when I played Herbie in GYPSY. While still a bizarre choice for a high school musical, the show has held a special place in my heart ever since.
In one of the most depressing birthday songs ever written, Louise, the often overlooked member of the family, celebrates by asking her stuffed lamb if she knows how old she actually is.
Video: Laura Benanti (singing from the role for which she won a Tony) performing on "SiriusXM Live on Broadway"
"Born to Handjive" from GREASE
Ok, yes, this is cheating even worse than the Stritch clip, but it's my birthday, get over it!
Video: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and the film cast of GREASE
"Opening" from COMPANY
This section, and in fact, this entire show, will be even more appropriate next year, when I turn 35. In COMPANY, Bobby faces that milestone-ish birthday as a single man surrounded by his best friends, five sets of married couples.
Throughout loosely connected vignettes, all surrounding his "surprise" birthday party, Bobby begins to re-examine his life. The marital highs and lows of his friends eventually lead Bobby to reconsider his care-free bachelor lifestyle.
In this song segment, Bobby thanks his friends for the warm wishes and for opening their hearts to him.
Video: This is the first segment of the John Doyle directed, Raul Esparza led 2006 revival
Do you have a favorite Broadway birthday song not on our list? Let me know what showtune you use to celebrate your B-Day in the comments below or on Twitter @BWWMatt.
Jeff Walker and I will team up again next month for an all-new showtune special feature. In the meantime, if you enjoyed this list, check out our January feature on the Most Hummable Sondheim Songs, February's Valentine's Day list of Broadway's best Anti-Love Songs, March's Ides themed collection of Shakespeare Inspired Showtunes, our odes to April showers and young love, and Jeff's collection of Songs of Lust to celebrate May.
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