Saturday Song Selection - Outlander: One More Time

“I can wait a hundred years

I can dry a thousand tears

‘Til I know that moment so sublime

When I get to hold you one more time”

This very special edition of “Saturday Song Selection” is proudly presenting something new, different, fun, interesting, moving, brilliant (feel free to consult your copy of Roget and contribute applicable adjectives of your own) and almost exclusive – an exciting sneak peek at a brand new musical, “Outlander,” based on the best-selling series of novels of the same name by Diana Gabaldon. Thanks to nycityman’s vast, voluminous, impressive and almost entirely fictional connections among the entertainment industry elite (Weinstein, Spielberg, Tom and Denise Turturro, the lesser-known conjoined twin siblings to John, Aida and Nicholas) I have the great, good fortune of sharing this original song with you. Lyrics are by Jill Santoriello and Mike Gibb, with music by Ms.Santoriello, who previously was the composer, lyricist and book-writer of the musical adaptation of “A Tale of Two Cities,” (nycityman’s personal favorite show) which played on Broadway in 2008. Reportedly, so extraordinary a work was “Tale” that many a renowned medium was contacted by the late Charles Dickens himself so he could pass on his personal stamp of approval. The expressive, enchanting and evocative vocals are performed by Rebecca Robbins and the number is skillfully orchestrated by the talented Ed Kessel, both Broadway veterans and “Tale of Two Cities” alumni. Once captivated by Rebecca’s artistry (and you assuredly will find yourself so) be sure to purchase tickets for “Phantom of the Opera” for September when she makes her return to the Great White Way (nycityman, too, has appeared on Broadway but never the stage, strictly the thoroughfare.) An additional note on “Tale,” since its initial Broadway run it has enjoyed a series of successful productions, both nationally (that nation being, of course, the grand-old-flag-waving, red, white and blue one) and internationally, and soon will be making its South Korean premiere. Sure it’s an extensive excursion but Trapper, Hawkeye and Radar all assure an appearance in their old stomping grounds such is the magnitude of this event.  And, should he find the fitting frock for the festivities, rumor has it that Max Klinger will be joining them as well.

The “Outlander” books have been a global sensation spawning a worldwide following and a recently announced television series, in addition to this forthcoming musical, therefore it’s only courteous and proper that we allow the heralded author, herself, to share a few adroit and entertaining words of explanation.

“In essence, these novels are Big, Fat, Historical Fiction, ala James Clavell and James Michener.  However, owing to the fact that I wrote the first book for practice, didn’t intend to show it to anyone, and therefore saw no reason to limit myself, they  include…history, warfare, medicine, sex, violence, spirituality, honor, betrayal, vengeance, hope and despair, relationships, the building and destruction of families and societies, time travel, moral ambiguity, swords, herbs, horses, gambling (with cards, dice, and lives), voyages of daring, journeys of both body and soul…you know, the usual stuff of literature.” And shortly, we will all see, also the stuff of musical theatre.

Saturday, July 21st Birthdays

1970 - Happy 42^nd birthday to American Olympic rower, Steven "Scrappy" Segaloff. And why is he featured here? Because his nom des row is “Scrappy” and sometimes that’s all that it takes.

1957 - Former Saturday Night Live cast member Jon Lovitz turns a fit 55 today. Are one-note sketch characterizations and a temporarily popular catch-phrase the path to a sustained and meaningful comedy career?  No, that’s not the ticket.

1952 - Natal day felicitations, Robin Williams – take an offensive, stereotyped gay voice, add an offensive, stereotyped East Indian voice, throw in the occasional Southern preacher, repeat ad-nauseum and a 40 year livelihood, proclaimed as an improvisational genius, is born. But Robin was also in the revival of “Laugh-In” and regular readers know that “Laugh-In” is sacrosanct on this page, he was quite good in "The World According to Garp," and he’s given much of himself, for many a year, to "Comic Relief."

1948 - Garry Trudeau, Doonesbury cartoonist and spouse of beloved one-time “Today Show” host, Jane Pauley inches ever closer to retirement age at 64. Does his politically opinionated strip belong on the comics or the editorial page? His work has angered, confounded and confused more newspaper editors than the cancellation of “Lou Grant.”

1947 - It’s the birthday of Yusaf Islam once known as Cat Stevens.  His religious conversion has angered, confounded and confused more intolerants throughout the land than the cancellation of Glenn Beck. 

1946 - Finally we send a shout out to Prosecutor Kenneth Starr, who’s ill-founded and misbegotten quest to pointlessly persecute President William Jefferson Clinton only served to help propel him to the prodigious popularity he presently possesses as possibly, and somewhat improbably, one of the most respected and revered statesman on the planet.  To quote the late comic and actor, Don Adams, “missed it by that much.”

And now, with no further frivolity, a real treat, from the upcoming musical, “Outlander,” lyrics by Jill Santoriello and Mike Gibb, and music by Jill Santoriello – One More Time