Clarence and His Classic Clarinet song?

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 1/14/14 at 1:57am

Does anyone know what the name of the song is that Clarence plays on his clarinet in the opening scene of Gypsy??

[chewy5000]

Posted: 1/14/14 at 2:02am

That's interesting. I just checked my copy of the script, and it lists 'Arnold and his accordion' instead of Clarence. Hmm.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/14/14 at 8:30am

It's not supposed to be a set act, just a kid playing an instrument with an alliterative name. I don't remember it being "Arnold and His Accordion" (indeed, the original Broadway cast listing at SondheimGuide.com suggests "Arnold and His Guitar," though given the later names, maybe it was written the first way and then changed based on the child performer's ability), but later productions switched it to "Clarence and His Classical Clarinet," and (in the LuPone revival) "Vladimir and his Virtuoso Violin." Pick whatever instrument the kid can play, pray it has alliteration, and make sure it's nothing special. That's the point of the moment, as you can read in the script.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 1/14/14 at 9:23am

In the LuPone revival, that kid could actually play the violin.

Random, I know, but just thought I'd throw that out there.

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 1/14/14 at 10:57am

Yes. Do any of you know what song he plays? It's not actually in the score

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/14/14 at 11:04am

My point was that it doesn't matter what he plays as long as it's either bad or it can be easily cut off.

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 1/15/14 at 1:42pm

I understood what you were saying g.d.e.l.g.i.
I'm just wondering what song he's played in both the movie and in the LuPone revival, as they are the same song.

[yfs]

Posted: 1/15/14 at 2:04pm

In the last production I saw it was the main theme of "Spring Song".

[justoldbill]

Posted: 1/15/14 at 8:32pm

In the 1962 film the act is billed as Clarence and his Clarinet. It may not be an actual song, but merely a simple finger exercise that can be quickly taught and quickly learned. (Don't dawdle, Amaryllis.)

Updated On: 1/15/14 at 08:32 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 1/15/14 at 10:20pm

In the LuPone revival, it was the Blue Danube.