Two days ago I went to see Len Cariou perform at Studio 54 Below. Cariou was Sweeney Todd with the original Broadway cast of the musical in 1979 (along with Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett)! He sang wonderful songs, including one that has since become my favourite song: Send in the clowns. I’m sure most of you already know this gem, and those who don’t, well, they totally should — it’s a number from A Little Night Music, a 1973 musical by Stephen Sondheim. This song has been performed by so many great artists, including Frank Sinatra who made a stand-alone hit out of that.
I enjoyed the concert very much, absolutely loved the orchestration by Mark Janas, and all the musicians were fantastic, too. Studio 54 Below is right under the former Studio 54, which once was one of the most famous, if not THE most famous disco in New York — also, I discovered that before it became a disco, Studio 54 was an opera house!
(by the way, I’ll be taking the Rojotango Live show to the Studio 54 Below sometime in the future, I don’t know the exact date as of yet but I’m really, really excited about that!)
Moreover, my friend Bruce Zemsky got me in touch with the amazing Glen Roven, who has given to me a lullaby he’s composed, “Goodnight moon” — can’t wait to sing that to Iara and Tiago!. :-)
It’s been an amazing night, but let’s go back to Send in the clowns… it made me weep, really. All of a sudden, some things made sense to me, so I cried some more (I’m not ashamed about that, crying is human, and so am I. :-)).
Just listen to what Frank says at the beginning of the recording I posted above…
Isn’t it rich, are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.Isn’t it bliss, don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around
One who can’t move
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.Just when I’d stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours.
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines;
No one is there.Don’t you love farce?
My fault I fear,
I thought that you’d want what I want,
Sorry my dear
But where are the clowns
There ought to be clowns
Quick send in the clownsWhat a surprise!
Who could foresee
I’d come to feel about you
What you felt about me?
Why only now when I see
That you’ve drifted away?
What a surprise!
What a cliché!Isn’t it rich, isn’t it queer
Losing my timing this late in my career
And where are the clowns
Quick send in the clowns
Don’t bother, they’re here.
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