If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

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If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 6:05am

Hi

Can someone tell what the dialogue is at the beginning of If/Then?

Elizabeth comes out and speaks through an earpiece on her mobile… What does she say?

Due to Idina's entrance applause and being caught up in the moment I couldn't really hear it.

Thanks

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 7:14am

Not sure this is 100% accurate, but:

"Hey, it’s me.

I missed your voice.

On the plane today, I started thinking what my life would be like if I’d never met you.

The day in the park, do you remember? You were just back from your third tour, and you said “Hi.”

In that instant, I imagined our whole life together.

And what if I had been in that park a day later?

What if I had gone with Lucas, and I hadn’t stopped to listen to that guy playing guitar?"

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 7:48am

Thank you

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 8:17am

So...

MAJOR SPOILERS

She was actually leaving Josh a voicemail after he's killed in duty? The prologue was actually at the end of Liz's storyline?

END OF SPOILERS

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 9:14am

SPOILERS

She was actually leaving Josh a voicemail after he's killed in duty? The prologue was actually at the end of Liz's storyline?

No, because she says he had just come back from his third tour (in Liz’s storyline, he is killed on his third tour and never comes back). I assume this is Beth talking to him (in the future beyond any time that we see in the show) in reference to the end scene when Beth meets him in the park. He mentions that day that he is no longer in the army because he just finished his third tour.

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 9:42am

I think this ^^^^^

Spoilers...

Liz has been in the park with Lucas, and they talk about life and their kids, and I believe she mentions that today was the day that Josh would have come home had he not deferred his third tour for their second child. She goes offstage.

Beth comes on stage, talks about running for City Council with Lucas, and he mentions that the guitar players has been playing in the same park for 5 years (which sets up basically a repeat of the story for Beth that Liz had). He goes to get coffee with Kate, and Josh appears and introduces himself to Beth, saying that he feels like he knows her. He is back from his third tour, and is done with the army. They go out on a date.

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 9:52am

Of course, this doesn't include the previews where the candelabras almost killed Sarah Brightman, not to mention the cancellations.

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 10:04am

Now I've stopped and thought about I think it's very confusing... Some parts relate to Beth and others Liz!

Is there a definitive answer from the writer?

Also I remember reading on a previous post that during previews the opening was rewritten, was it this part? What was there before?

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 10:06am

^I've always thought of it as just Elizabeth saying it.

#10

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:11am

In the previews in DC it started with her talking on the phone as well. For te life of me I can't remember the dialogue from back then.

#11

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:17am

Thanks promises promises2… I'm sure someone else will.

I seem to remember there being a thread about the opening change as Idina had to use cue cards for a performance and some people were not happy about it.

Just curious now I have seen the show and the debate that has been sparked today around was it Beth or Liz that was speaking what was the original dialogue.

#12

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:42am

WickedGinger if I recall correctly, the dialogue wasn't changed, it was the song. The song "What If" was rewritten during previews and she had lyrics on the cards.

#13

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:50am

Others have pretty much confirmed, but to solidify, yes what changed from the beginning was the song "What If." The bit of dialogue has remained unchanged for I believe the entire run.

Spoiler:
As far as that opening scene, I am pretty certain it is meant to be Beth, some time in the future, calling Josh, therefore letting the audience know that they end up together in that storyline as well.

Updated On: 7/9/14 at 11:50 AM

#14

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 11:51am

SPOILER

I am not sure how Liz could be speaking since Josh did not survive his third tour. In that arc he dies during his third tour.

I guess I got that she took the path of Beth, and this was her life, and life she would have had was what Liz experienced... But who knows.

#15

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 1:03pm

^^^^^
I agree as well. Since it occurs at the beginning of the show I didn't give it much thought. It was when I saw it the second time that I realized how the beginning conversation would've played out somewhere beyond the end of the show. As others said, josh was killed during the third tour so it had to be Beth speaking.

#16

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/9/14 at 1:07pm

"I guess I got that she took the path of Beth, and this was her life"

I think you're right on who is speaking and the timelines, but Elizabeth never chooses Liz or Beth, both lives continue to run their own course. Narratively, the show ends with a serendipitous moment for Beth, but Liz is still out there somewhere else doing her thing, too.

#17

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 12:08am

MAJOR SPOILERS

TFMH18 writes, "I am pretty certain it is meant to be Beth, some time in the future, calling Josh, therefore letting the audience know that they end up together in that storyline as well."

I LOVE this idea. I left the performance (one of the last in DC) sobbing my eyes out about Josh's death, although I saw it coming when he said they always put the doctors in the rear -- not near the combat. I very much like thinking that Josh and Beth create a permanent life together, and that Beth has gained the maturity to handle a Liz-like timeline.

End of spoilers

I always thought the names Liz and Beth should be reversed. To me, Beth sounds like a homebody's name. Liz sounds like a tough, high-powered professional.

Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.

#18

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:36am

SPOILER

I know it's supposed to be Beth on the phone at the end, and singing the reprise of What If, but I kind of feel the wrap up looks like it is both Liz and Beth (or just plain Elizabeth) as we see all of the people in both lives come around her, weaving through their various Liz/Beth personas on stage.

Yes, it is incredibly moving to see Josh show up at the park for Beth, as now it IS right. The first time around I think Liz went against her instincts and dated him when it was not in her gut to do so. Now he's ready...she's ready.

But here's my thinking about the opening, based on what is said here. I think it says "after your SECOND tour" and I think it is LIZ. Because the later comments don't make sense if it is BETH. If she says "what if I had gone with Lucas?" then it HAS to be LIZ because Beth DID GO WITH LUCAS! Liz stayed to hear the guitar player with Kate, so I think the first call is LIZ talking to Josh. Anyone have clarification on this?

"Hey, it’s me.

I missed your voice.

On the plane today, I started thinking what my life would be like if I’d never met you.

The day in the park, do you remember? You were just back from your third tour, and you said “Hi.”

In that instant, I imagined our whole life together.

And what if I had been in that park a day later?

What if I had gone with Lucas, and I hadn’t stopped to listen to that guy playing guitar?"

#19

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:39am

I transcribed the opening from one of those pesky illegal things we're not supposed to talk about, but she clearly says third. Some things I'm not 100% on, but third is very pronounced.

#20

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 2:55am

SPOILER

Ok, then maybe the other words are different? I keep trying to place myself back there and remember...too hard. But Beth meeting Josh in the park is a different day than LIZ meeting Josh in the park. It's 5 years later. I don't know how the Beth phone dialog connects because she leaves the park WITH Josh, not Lucas or Kate. I'll pay closer attention next time....thanks.

#21

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:18am

This is making my head explode but I want to figure it out.

#22

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 5:22am

I'm 99% sure that it's 'third tour' and is from Beth's POV, and is showing that the same monologue can be applied to two very different scenarios (and is designed to be a hint at the ending for those who are paying a ridiculous amount of attention the first time they see it).

#23

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 7:29am

She does say THIRD tour, and she says "What if I had gone with Lucas?" because she had offered to go help him carry the coffee that Kate was buying. Lucas instead tells her "No save us seats" which leads to Beth meeting Josh. It all fits the theme of the tiniest moments/decisions having the biggest impact on our lives.

"I shall stay until the wind changes."

#24

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 9:02am

Gotcha. Lucas went to help Kate with coffee, right? Beth went to the table and Josh walked up. Kate went to listen to the guitar music and Lucas made the 5 years comment. So the same words applied to the end as the beginning for different reasons. Such an amazing theatrical experience.

#25

If/Then Dialogue at the Beginning

Posted: 7/10/14 at 9:51am

NeverSoShy I think you're correct.

SPOILERS

In the opening, Beth says Josh had just come back from his third tour. (foreshadowing the two endings)

However, when Liz and Josh meet, he says he's back from his second tour.

I remember noticing the difference since they are both in the opening and discussing it with my boyfriend at intermission. We figured it would come back around in Beth's story. And as you pointed out, it does.

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