Company's "Being Alive" question

[neocomposer]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 4:04pm

If I get the sheet music for "Being Alive" (my favorite company song), will it include spaces for the dialogue or will it simply continue into the next line? Because it would seem silly to sing it and sit during the spaces and then continue singing. I might be wrong. Has anyone seen it performed in a cabaret act??

Thanks!

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 4:15pm

You will not get the first part of the song where Robert sings a phrase and the others comment. This part of the song doesn't make sense removed from the show.

The sheet music begins where the complete song begins after Robert asks, "What do you get?"

[neocomposer]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 4:31pm

Yeah, thats what I figured about the beginning. But what about the dialogue as he continues singing and people say things like "You got it Bobby" or "You're not a kid any more, I don't think you'll be a kid again." I want to know if there are long pauses in the lyrics or if it is filled in with lyrics.

thanks

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 4:50pm

No, those lines aren't there either.

I don't remember any "long" pauses (I haven't sung the song in 30 years), but whatever there are gives the actor the chance to think about what he is singing about, so when he (or should I say "I"?) arrives at the phrase "...But alone is alone, not alive...", it was the turning point. No going back. I felt a sense of relief and I was no longer afraid to smile. I sped up the tempo so the next phrases would seem released from pent up emotion.

Not an easy song because whatever POV you have, you have to think it through phrase by phrase. Sometimes word by word.

[John3]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:12pm

The sheet music goes straight through with out any stops or pauses for dialogue. This makes it more challenging, in my opinion. I have performed it before, great song.

[SayWhyNot]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 5:58pm

Right - you'll need the score from the show itself.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 6:43pm

Neo,

If you are just looking for a version to perform, I would suggest that you get the copy out of the Musical Theatre Anthology (Vol. 1)book. It has a nice condensed version from the actual score without the spaces and distractions. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

The Balladeer