BOB: Hello, my name is Bob Martin. I'm an actor and writer living in New York.
Well, what a wonderful time it is to be a misanthrope!
You can stay at home all day without judgment from your family and friends
Yes, it's a wonderful time to be clinically antisocial but for the rest of us it's terrible
And, erm, I'm no just talking about the devastating loss of life,
I'm also talking about the economic impact that COVID-19 has had on the world
Erm, speaking from my industry, theaters are shuttered all over the place
actors, writers, crafts people of every discipline are out of the work so if you
can afford it, please donate to the Actors Fund or to the Freelancers Fund
you can find links below.
So. Here we are, sheltering in place, practicing social distancing
Now, if you're like me you're coping with this situation in two ways . . .
One, you're drinking . . . a lot.
And two, you're listening to the original cast recordings of old musicals
Now, I have one in particular that's on repeat and
it's 'The Drowsy Chaperone', a dusty old relic from a time when you could
rollerskate blindfolded in public without fear of catching a deadly virus.
Now, there's a song in that show, a kind of an inspirational anthem, that while
it's actually about alcoholism it speaks to the times and I'd like to sing it for you now.
Those of you who know me know that I can't sing so this is not going to be enjoyable,
but I hope it will remind you of the healing power of theater
and how it can transport you out of this gray pandemic malaise,
even for a moment. So, here we go . . .
(He sings) As we stumble along,
on life's funny journey,
as we stumble along,
Into the blue
** ukulele playing **
We look here and we look there
seeking answers anywhere
never sure of where to turn,
or what to do.
TROY: I'm an accident waiting to happen
BOB: Still we bumble our way
MARA: I don't wanna sing tunes no more
BOB: Through life's crazy labyrinth
EDDIE: Wedding bells will ring, wedding bells will chime
LENNY, JASON & GARTH: Toledo surprise! BOB: Barley knowing left from right LINDA: Love is always lovely
KILTY: Lovely JOEY: I am Aldolpho! BOB: Nor right from wrong
JENNIFER: Surprise!
BETH: And the best that we can do
Is hope a bluebird
BOB & BETH: Will sing his song
as we stumble along
ENTIRE COMPANY: Still we bumble our way
Through life's crazy labyrinth
KECIA: Barely knowing left from right
KECIA: Barely knowing left from right ENTIRE COMPANY: Ahhhhhhhh
KECIA: Barely knowing left from right ENTIRE COMPANY: Ahhhhhhhh KECIA: Or right from wrong
KECIA: Barely knowing left from right ENTIRE COMPANY: Ahhhhhhhh KECIA: Or right from wrong ** music swells **
KECIA: And the
KECIA: And the ENTIRE COMPANY: Best that we can do is hope a bluebird
Will sing his song
As we stumble along
As we stumble,
Bumble,
Fumble,
Tumble,
As we stumble along
As we stumble along ** the music builds to a climax **
Stay safe everybody
** distant crowd applause **