The Score

The score for the show was written by David Yazbeck. Yazbeck graduated from Brown and then went to work for David Letterman, where he won an Emmy as part of the writing team.

He gave writing up for music and was busy in the world of pop. Most notably (at least for me) is that he co-wrote the theme song for "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego" with the then-leader of Rockapella, who was an old high school chum. He also produced the Carmen Sandiego soundtrack album, which is a long-beloved album in this house, enjoyable by even people who are older than ten.

Another old friend landed Yazbeck a break composing the score for the stage version of The Full Monty, a show that might have garnered more attention had it not landed on Broadway the same year as The Producers. The same team that created that show worked on DRS.

The score is a lot of fun, very poppy with French, jazz, funk flavors. It reminds me in its overall flavor of the score for Lucky Stiff, and it is a big part of what attracted me to this show. For those of you who are studying up and deciding if you're interested, here's the run-down of numbers.

Give Them What They Want- Lawrence, assisted by Andre, introduces us to his town, his conquests and his goal "Your world. They're all invited guests. Find out how to play them, and remember this-- you're giving them what they want." Light swing.

What Was a Woman To Do- Muriel, one of Lawrence's recent conquests, sings about what drew her to him. As she does, a progression of his other conquests appear and join in. And join in. These women are all over the place!!-- including, eventually, one of the usherettes in the theater itself. Some gorgeous female harmony. "As he approached he wore an aura of nobility. I wore these Ferragamo shoes."

Great Big Stuff- Freddy announces how badly he wants to be like Lawrence. "I thought I'd seen it all. I thought I knew the score. But coming here I've found a world I've never seen before. Now, I know where I belong-- A life of taste and class with culture and sophistication pouring out my ass." A bit funky, with a rappish vocal strangely reminiscent of Steve Martin's hit "King Tut."

Chimp in a Suit- Andre sings a swingy French waltz while Lawrence's attempts to make Freddy over. At first listen you may dismiss this as a trifling piece of fluff. Then, a week later when you're still humming it to yourself, you may change your mind. "Dress up a monkey in Armani, he may seem precocious and cute. Despite all that primpin' you've still got a chimp in a suit."

Oklahoma- Jolene, the Oklahoma heiress, sings a down-home barn-dancin' tribute to her "little piece of heaven."

All About Ruprecht- Lawrence and Freddy introduce Jolene to the member of the family they keep locked in the basement. "Ruprecht's all about cakes and lemonade, milk shake enemas, fun and play." Starts out light and cheery, ends up in kickline territory.

Here I Am- Christine, the Ohio Soap Queen, makes her entrance, and she is just so excited to be here. A bouncy Latin rhythm.

Nothing Is Too Wonderful To Be True- Christine's song of hope and inspiration for the poor crippled American soldier. It really is a pretty ballad; however, forced to join in, Freddy does to this song kind of what Timon and Pumbaa did to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."

Ruffhousin' With Shuffhausen- Sophisticated comedy. Lawrence, now pretending to be a Viennese doctor, beats the snot out of Freddy's "non-working, non-feeling" legs, all to a fun little Viennese waltz. Including yodeling. by Freddy, Lawrence and Christine. "The corpus Hippocraticum like bats out of the attic come, like popes out of the vati-come..."

Like Zis, Like Zat- Andre and Muriel share this number that completely lifts the rhythm-line from "Just a Gigolo," but it's a breezy duet that's actually rather sweet and, once again, sticks to your brain for days. "Like zat, a rose, delightful to ze nose, but nowhere near as perfect as a kiss."

The More We Dance- Lawrence takes Christine on a whirlwind faux romance to "motivate" Freddy. The tune is a bit of an uptempo tango.

Love Is My Legs- Air Supply's greatest hits, all lampooned ferociously in one song. Freddy sings out his devotion to motivate Christine to motivate him. "Love is my legs, and you are my love, so you are my legs, my love."

Love Sneaks In- Lawrence gets the only 100% serious song in the show, reflecting on how Christine's sweetness has inadvertently turned the tables on him.

From there, it's some assorted reprises and a finale to finish off the show. The soundtrack is available on CD, actually recorded by the cast and company orchestra, rather than the usual studio treatment, and put out by a label co-founded by the actress who played Christine on Broadway. You can pick it up at Amazon.

It's a great, fun, saucy, breezy, funny score and I look forward to bringing it to the Barrow stage!