Announcer: "Lincoln Center's American Songbook" takes great pride in presenting Joe Iconis.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Clears throat ] [ Laughter ] So, anyway, I've been deciding for weeks the first song that I would play when I sat down here because I knew that when I sat down on this stage at The Appel Room to do my "American Songbook" concert, I knew that, like, the one thing I wanted to do was just sit down on the stage and just start playing.

I didn't want to banter.

I didn't want to speak before I played.

I just wanted to sit here at this piano and play a song and let the song just speak for itself.

And so, obviously, as I'm speaking now, we can all in this room agree that I've already failed at what I set out to do before a note is sung.

But I just wanted to tell a very brief story before I begin.

And so I've been thinking, "What's the first song gonna be?

It is such a statement, it's such, like, a thing, the first song at the 'American Songbook' show."

And the other night I came to see André De Shields do his "American Songbook" show, and -- [ Cheers and applause ] Great.

Sure.

Yeah, clap for André De Shields.

He deserves it.

And so I walked in the room and I came in over there and I was, like, really hit by this beautiful view and this beautiful room, and I had this moment of, like, "Oh, my gosh.

Like, I've been playing with so many of these people I'm gonna play with in clubs and basements and black boxes, and now we get to play in this gorgeous room," and I was really feeling this, like, New York, like, "Alright, I'm, like -- I'm on my way.

I'm doing okay."

And so I went to go to my seat, which was in that row right there, row "C," and then in front of me in row "C" was a table full of people who -- I mean, I didn't know them, but they looked -- they sort of fit the description of the classic, like, "old, white, and rich" kind of folks, who are great folks, they're great folks, but these people were there, and I'm just like, "Oh, cool, 'old, white, and rich' folks."

And so I'm gonna go in the seat, and so I sat in the seat, and as I was sitting down, there was a man and a woman, and the woman said to the man, she had her playbill opened, and she went, "Joe Iconis."

Like, she read my name, and I had this moment of, like, "Oh, man.

Like, this is, like, a sign.

Like, a stranger, a stranger lady is speaking my name the second I enter into this room."

And so she went, "Joe Iconis.

He's playing here, too."

And the man who she was with literally went, "Ugh."

[ Laughter and applause ] And so they were, like -- it was right there.

And so it was like, they were as close to me as, like, my glasses are to me right now.

And so I had, like, that moment of, like, "Oh, Joe, turn your ears off.

Turn your ears off.

Not magical.

Don't listen.

Don't listen."

But I couldn't not, of course.

And the women went, "Who is that?"

And the guy goes, "He wrote 'Be More Chill.'"

[ Cheers and applause ] See, I wish you were all here on Wednesday when I saw the show, because the guy goes, "He wrote 'Be More Chill.'

It's for kids."

And so I immediately was, like, deflating, deflating, deflating, and then just to, like, put a finer point on it, he goes, "It's dreadful."

[ Laughter ] And so this was my favorite part.

The woman said to him, "Oh, did you see it?"

And he goes, "No."

[ Laughter ] And so, in that moment, I was like, "I know exactly the song I'm going to sing for my first song at the 'American Songbook' series."

This is a song from "Be More Chill," and a kid sings it in the show, but one hopes that people who are not kids will relate to it, as well.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I am hanging in a bathroom ♪ ♪ At the biggest party of the fall ♪ ♪ I could stay right here or disappear ♪ ♪ And nobody'd even notice at all ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm a creeper in a bathroom ♪ ♪ 'Cause my buddy kinda left me alone ♪ ♪ But I'd rather fake pee than stand awkwardly ♪ ♪ Or pretend to check a text on my phone ♪ ♪ Everything felt fine ♪ ♪ When I was half of a pair ♪ ♪ Now through no fault of mine ♪ ♪ There's no other half there ♪ ♪ Now I'm just ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom at the party ♪ ♪ Forget how long it's been ♪ ♪ I'm just Michael in the bathroom ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom at a party ♪ ♪ No, you can't come in ♪ ♪ I'm waiting it out till it's time to leave ♪ ♪ And picking at grout as I softly grieve ♪ ♪ I'm just Michael who you don't know ♪ ♪ Michael flyin' solo ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom by himself ♪ ♪ All by himself ♪ ♪ I am hiding, but he's out there ♪ ♪ Just ignoring all our history ♪ ♪ Memories get erased, then I get replaced ♪ ♪ With a newer, cooler version of me ♪ ♪ And I hear a drunk girl ♪ ♪ Sing along to Whitney through the door ♪ ♪ "I wanna dance with somebody" ♪ ♪ And my feelings sink, 'cause it makes me think ♪ ♪ Now there's no one to make fun of drunk girls with anymore ♪ ♪ Now it's just Michael in the bathroom ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom at a party ♪ ♪ I half regret the beers ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom at a party ♪ ♪ As I choke back the tears ♪ ♪ I'll wait as long as I need till my face is dry ♪ ♪ Or I'll just blame it on weed or something in my eye ♪ ♪ I'm just Michael who you don't know ♪ ♪ Michael flyin' solo ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom by himself ♪ ♪ Knock, knock, knock, knock ♪ ♪ They're gonna start to shout soon ♪ ♪ Knock, knock, knock, knock ♪ ♪ Oh, hell, yeah, I'll be out soon ♪ ♪ Knock, knock, knock, knock ♪ ♪ It sucks he left me here alone ♪ ♪ Knock, knock, knock, knock ♪ ♪ Here in this teenage battle zone ♪ ♪ Clang, clang, clang, clang ♪ ♪ I feel the pressure blowing up ♪ ♪ Bang, bang, bang, bang ♪ ♪ My big mistake was showing up ♪ ♪ Splash, splash, splash, splash ♪ ♪ I throw some water in my face ♪ ♪ And I am in a better place ♪ ♪ I go to open up the door ♪ ♪ But I can't hear knocking anymore ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And I can't help but yearn ♪ ♪ For a different time ♪ ♪ And then I look in the mirror ♪ ♪ And the present is clearer ♪ ♪ And there's no denying ♪ ♪ I'm just ♪ ♪ At a party ♪ ♪ Is there a sadder sight than ♪ [ Hums ] ♪ Michael in the bathroom at a party ♪ ♪ This is a heinous night ♪ ♪ I wish I stayed at home in bed ♪ ♪ Watching cable porn ♪ ♪ Or wish I offed myself instead ♪ ♪ Wish I was never born ♪ ♪ I'm just Michael who's a loner ♪ ♪ So he must be a stoner ♪ ♪ Rides a PT Cruiser ♪ ♪ God, he's such a loser ♪ ♪ Michael flyin' solo ♪ ♪ Who you think that you know ♪ ♪ Michael in the bathroom by himself ♪ ♪ All by himself ♪ ♪ All by himse-e-e-lf ♪ ♪ Well, all you know about me is my name ♪ ♪ Awesome party ♪ ♪ I'm so glad I came ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Alright.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm high above the city ♪ ♪ I'm standing on the ledge ♪ ♪ The view from here is pretty ♪ ♪ And I step off the edge ♪ ♪ And now I'm fallin', baby ♪ ♪ Through the sky, through the sky ♪ ♪ I'm fallin', baby, through the sky ♪ ♪ It's my callin' ♪ ♪ Baby, don't you cry, don't you cry ♪ ♪ I'm fallin' down through the sky ♪ ♪ Toward the street that I'm from ♪ ♪ Oh, Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ The pressure it increases ♪ ♪ The closer that I get ♪ ♪ I could almost go to pieces ♪ ♪ But I'm not quite there yet ♪ ♪ See I've been bravin' crazy weather ♪ ♪ Drownin' out my cries ♪ ♪ I pull myself together ♪ ♪ I'm focused on the prize ♪ ♪ I'm fallin', baby ♪ ♪ Through the sky, through the sky ♪ ♪ I'm fallin', baby, through the sky ♪ ♪ It's my callin' ♪ ♪ Baby, don't you cry, don't you cry ♪ ♪ I'm fallin' down through the sky ♪ ♪ It's a tune you can hum ♪ ♪ Oh, Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ Hmm-mm-mm-mm ♪ ♪ Will I remain the same, or will I change a little bit?

♪ ♪ Will I feel broken or totally complete?

♪ ♪ Will I retain my name when I'm the biggest, hugest hit?

♪ ♪ Or will I blend in with the rest of the street?

♪ ♪♪ ♪ The people all are pointing ♪ ♪ I bet they'd never guess ♪ ♪ That the saint that they're anointing ♪ ♪ Is frightened of the mess ♪ ♪ But even though I fear it ♪ ♪ I'm playin' all my cards ♪ ♪ And, baby, you are gonna hear it ♪ ♪ When I give them my regards ♪ ♪ I'm falling, baby ♪ ♪ Through the sky, through the sky ♪ ♪ I'm fallin', baby, through the sky ♪ ♪ It's my calling ♪ ♪ Baby, don't you cry, don't you cry ♪ ♪ I'm fallin' down through the sky ♪ ♪ And I refuse to go numb ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Oh, Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ Broadway, here I come ♪ ♪ Broadway, here I co-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-me ♪ ♪ And the last thing I hear ♪ ♪ As the impact grows near ♪ ♪ Is it a scream or a cheer?

♪ ♪ Well, never mind, I'll never find out ♪ ♪ 'Cause, Broadway, I am here ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Someone else's success is not your failure ♪ ♪ Except ♪ ♪ When it is ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ Like if you're an actor ♪ ♪ And another actor gets the part you auditioned for ♪ ♪ Well then?

♪ ♪ Then it is ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ But, hey ♪ ♪ It's okay ♪ ♪ I still love you, actor ♪ ♪ So don't hate me when I say ♪ ♪ If at first you don't succeed ♪ ♪ If life don't give you what you need ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try again ♪ ♪ If you give it your best shot ♪ ♪ And the assholes say it's not ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try again ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try and try and try ♪ ♪ And try and try and try ♪ ♪ 'Till the day that you die ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ The cream always rises to the top ♪ ♪ Except ♪ ♪ When it don't ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ Like if you slave away for years at writing ♪ ♪ And you find yourself in the same place now ♪ ♪ As you were when you started ♪ ♪ Then it don't ♪ ♪ But, yo ♪ ♪ You gotta know ♪ ♪ That even though it's so cliché ♪ ♪ You got to go on with the show ♪ ♪ So if at first you don't succeed ♪ ♪ And your fingers start to bleed ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try again ♪ ♪ And if you bare your very soul ♪ ♪ And the critics' eyeballs roll ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try again ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try and try and try ♪ ♪ And try and try and try ♪ ♪ 'Till the day that you die ♪ ♪ If you're standing on a rooftop ♪ ♪ And you jump off of the building ♪ ♪ Because you want it all to end ♪ ♪ And you land six feet below ♪ ♪ Upon a fire escape you didn't know was there at all ♪ ♪ Then listen, friend ♪ ♪ Ignore my oft-repeated line ♪ ♪ Just dust yourself off, honey ♪ ♪ And respect that was a sign ♪ ♪ 'Cause if your suicide goes bust ♪ ♪ Then you absolutely must not try ♪ ♪ Don't try again ♪ ♪ Use the stairs, walk to the street ♪ ♪ See the people, feel the heat ♪ ♪ And apply yourself again ♪ ♪ If at first you don't succeed ♪ ♪ If life don't give you what you need ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try again ♪ ♪ If you throw in your whole heart ♪ ♪ And they go recast the part ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try again ♪ ♪ If the big-shots condescend ♪ ♪ Fuck those bastards, find a friend ♪ ♪ And try and try again ♪ ♪ When they cast you out to sea ♪ ♪ There's a lifeboat manned by me ♪ ♪ Called Try and Try Again ♪ ♪ Just try ♪ ♪ And try and try and try ♪ ♪ And try and try and try ♪ ♪ 'Till the day that we die ♪ ♪ I will try ♪ ♪ Hard as I can to thrive ♪ ♪ If you help me survive ♪ ♪ As long as we're alive ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I am feeling lonesome ♪ ♪ I am feeling blue ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm a lazy son of a bitch ♪ ♪ With nothing to do ♪ ♪ Say hey, hey, hey, hey, bartender ♪ ♪ Good buddy, I'm begging, please ♪ ♪ Pour me some of that strong stuff ♪ ♪ Sure to knock me down on my knees ♪ ♪ So I take a sip ♪ ♪ Go on a trip ♪ ♪ Life's much better on the whiskey tip ♪ [ Laughter ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughter ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughter ] [ Sighs ] [ Laughter ] ♪ The whiskey sure works, and, lordy, I love it ♪ ♪ Whiskey sure works, and, lordy, I love it ♪ ♪ Whiskey sure works, and, lordy, I love it ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ The whiskey sure works ♪ ♪ I think you better pour some more ♪ [ Chuckles ] ♪ Now, I'm feeling dopey magic ♪ ♪ Sunshine and the roses bloom ♪ ♪ And there's a million naked women wandering ♪ ♪ And working the room ♪ ♪ Okay, yeah, great ♪ ♪ No more mopey tragic ♪ ♪ Just fireworks with a big kaboom ♪ ♪ My nose is rosy 'cause I'm just as cozy ♪ ♪ As I was in the nuzzle of my mama's womb ♪ ♪ The whiskey sure works, and, lordy, I love it ♪ ♪ Whiskey sure works, and, lordy, I love it ♪ ♪ Whiskey sure works, and, lordy, I love it ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ The whiskey sure works ♪ ♪ I think you better pour some more ♪ -♪ Come on ♪ -Whoo!

Man: Lookit, high five right here.

Come on.

High fives everywhere.

Everywhere.

Everywhere.

High fives.

High five.

Yes, yes, yes.

Make me want to do this.

Alright.

♪♪ Woman: Whoo!

♪♪ ♪♪ Lance Rubin on the tambourine, ladies and gentlemen.

Oh!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Still feeling sorta lovely ♪ ♪ But not as much as I was before ♪ ♪ Hey, no, never mind ♪ ♪ Maybe I just need to drink more ♪ ♪ Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope ♪ ♪ Something's missing ♪ ♪ Hey, barkeep, are you listening?

♪ ♪ 'Cause it's a waste and a shame ♪ ♪ That it don't taste the same as it did when I first came in ♪ ♪ The whiskey don't work as well as it used to ♪ ♪ Whiskey don't work as well as it used to ♪ ♪ Whiskey don't work as well as it used to ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ The whiskey don't work, still, I think I want some more ♪ Oh, so drunk now.

So terribly.

[ Indistinct talking ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Williams: Uh... [ Laughter ] Man, this is place is, uh... is a dump.

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ ♪ I am feelin' lonesome ♪ ♪ I'm feelin' blue again, and I'm broken ♪ ♪ I'm shot and its a joke 'cause it's not even a quarter to 10 ♪ ♪ What am I gonna do now?

♪ ♪ What's gonna pick me up?

♪ ♪ Oh, Lord above, don't send me love ♪ ♪ Just pour some answers in my cup ♪ ♪ The whiskey done broke, lordy, please fix it ♪ ♪ Whiskey done broke, lordy, please fix it ♪ ♪ Whiskey done broke, lordy, please fix me ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh, come on ♪ ♪ The whiskey done broke, lordy, please pour some more ♪ Here we go.

One more time.

♪ The whiskey done broke, lordy, please fix it ♪ ♪ Whiskey done broke, lordy, please fix it ♪ ♪ Whiskey done broke, lordy, please fix it ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ The whiskey done broke, lordy, please pour some more ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Pour some more and then ♪ ♪ And then ♪ ♪ I'll pass out and then ♪ ♪ And then ♪ ♪ I'll wake up in the morning ♪ ♪ And start drinking whiskey ♪ ♪ And start drinking whiskey ♪ ♪ And start drinking whiskey aga-a-a-a-a-a-in ♪ Whoo!

[ Cheers and applause ] Hello, everyone, and, officially, welcome to Joe Icondis & Family at "Lincoln Center American Songbook."

I just said my name was Joe Icondis -- I don't know if anyone heard that -- for some reason.

[ Laughter ] Yeah, it means the world to us to get to perform in this room, on this stage for all of you people.

I was warned before getting here that The Appel Room "American Songbook" series crowd is a more reserved crowd.

I was warned that the crowd would not really show me any vocal manifestations of their approval, and so I appreciate already all of you proving that wrong.

So thanks.

[ Cheers and applause ] We have a full night together, so if, during the course of the evening, you feel like clapping or hooting or hollering, please do so as long as it's appropriate.

I leave it to all of you.

And, yeah.

And so, tonight, you're gonna be hearing some songs from musicals of mine.

You're gonna be hearing some standalone songs.

I'm doing a lot of songs that we haven't done in years and years and years, and I'm doing some songs that haven't really ever been done before.

If you're someone who knows my work, you'll find that interesting, and if you're someone who doesn't know any of my work, it won't make a difference to you at all.

[ Laughter ] So let's get started.

You know, this next group of songs is -- if you couldn't tell, I like to write songs a lot about people who feel like they don't quite fit in.

I like to write songs about artists.

One person applauded for people who don't fit in.

Thank you so much, whoever that was.

I feel safe now.

And so this group of songs is, like -- it's a collection of songs about people who don't quite -- don't quite fit.

And here to sing the first one -- this is a song we haven't done before, so be kind to us -- is the great Jared Weiss.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Oh, mama, I'm filled with sorrows ♪ ♪ In a million ways ♪ ♪ Don't care about tomorrows ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ ♪ The needle hits the groove and ♪ ♪ The old record plays ♪ ♪ My spirits starts to move and ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I hate to say ♪ ♪ I hate today ♪ ♪ I'm just not meant ♪ ♪ For these times ♪ ♪ On a song somebody sang ♪ ♪ I didn't understand the slang ♪ ♪ I'm just not meant ♪ ♪ For new rhymes ♪ ♪ I like things that are old ♪ ♪ I like music you can hold ♪ ♪ And they try to get me singin' their song ♪ ♪ But I won't sing along ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ I can't relate ♪ ♪ And they try to get me singin' their song ♪ ♪ But I won't sing along ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ I can't relate ♪ ♪ I try to be like other guys ♪ ♪ Everybody rolls their eyes ♪ ♪ I pretend ♪ ♪ That I don't care ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Most people think I'm weird ♪ ♪ Mm-hmm ♪ ♪ All my friends have disappeared ♪ ♪ Hmm-hmm ♪ ♪ Or I guess ♪ ♪ They were never there ♪ ♪ My social life would be on fire ♪ ♪ If only I was born 60 years prior ♪ ♪ And they try to get me singin' their song ♪ ♪ But I won't sing along ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ Ooh, I can't relate ♪ ♪ And they try to get me singin' their song ♪ ♪ But I won't sing along ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ Ooh, I can't relate ♪ ♪ And I wanna change along with the time ♪ ♪ But I just run and hide ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ Ooh, I can't relate ♪ ♪ Everybody on their phone ♪ ♪ Makes me feel so all alone ♪ ♪ Their condition is so mint ♪ ♪ I'm so faded and out of print ♪ ♪ Out of print, out of print ♪ ♪ Oh, mama, I'm filled with sorrows ♪ ♪ In a million ways ♪ ♪ Don't care about tomorrows ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ ♪ The needle hits the groove and ♪ ♪ The old record plays ♪ ♪ My spirits starts to move and ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ ♪ Oh, mama I'm filled with sorrows ♪ ♪ In a million ways ♪ ♪ Don't care about tomorrows ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ ♪ The needle hits the groove and ♪ ♪ The old record plays ♪ ♪ My spirits starts to move and ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ ♪ And they try to get me singin' their song ♪ ♪ But I won't sing along ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ No, I can't relate ♪ ♪ And they try to get me singin' their song ♪ ♪ But I won't sing along ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ No, I can't relate ♪ ♪ And I wanna change along with the time ♪ ♪ But I just run and hide ♪ ♪ 'Cause I can't relate ♪ ♪ No, I can't relate, yeah ♪ ♪ And the conversation starts to commence ♪ ♪ And the words don't make sense ♪ ♪ I can't relate ♪ ♪ No, I can't rela-a-a-a-te ♪ ♪ Oh, mama, I'm filled with sorrows ♪ ♪ In a million ways ♪ ♪ Don't care about tomorrows ♪ ♪ Give me yesterdays ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Jared Weiss.

♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Laughter ] ♪♪ ♪ It's hard to be a velociraptor ♪ ♪ Cruising through a single's bar ♪ ♪ With a monstrous jaw ♪ ♪ And a frightening claw ♪ ♪ You don't get too far ♪ ♪ I see your fella makin' eyes and makin' moves ♪ ♪ To snuggle up to me ♪ ♪ Go to kiss but instead ♪ ♪ I miss and bite off his head ♪ ♪ Accidentally ♪ ♪ And it always seems like I'm out of place ♪ ♪ Like everybody screams when they see my face ♪ ♪ Is there somewhere I could go?

♪ ♪ Where I would feel more apropos?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how it's supposed to be?

♪ ♪ Oh, where is there somewhere for me?

♪ ♪ It's hard to be a velociraptor ♪ ♪ Walking through Midtown West ♪ ♪ All the washboard abs ♪ ♪ And the crowded cabs ♪ ♪ Leave me equally stressed ♪ [ Screeches ] ♪ I try my best at the latest fashion ♪ ♪ But my issues still feel unresolved ♪ ♪ I guess a neon skirt can really disconcert ♪ ♪ When there's a tail involved ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ And there's a tail involved ♪ ♪ My awkwardness is so distinct ♪ ♪ I feel so over and extinct ♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how it's supposed to be?

♪ ♪ Oh, where is there somewhere for me?

♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo, ckk-ckk, raah ♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo, ckk-ckk, raah ♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo ♪ ♪ Ckk-ckk, raaaaaaaaah ♪ [ Screeches ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I wander uptown ♪ ♪ And head inside ♪ ♪ The big museum door ♪ ♪ There's a Viking sail ♪ ♪ There's a squid and a whale ♪ [ Gasps ] ♪ There's a dinosaur ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ Stare at the bones of my ancestors ♪ ♪ And wonder why I'm still alive ♪ ♪ Did I fall through the crack ♪ ♪ Or was I placed on this track ♪ ♪ 'Cause I know how to survive?

♪ ♪ Cemeteries never do provide ♪ ♪ The answers to the questions of inside ♪ ♪ I motivate my ghastly feet ♪ ♪ Till they're back out on the street ♪ ♪ Where the species intertwine ♪ ♪ I keep on lookin' out for mine ♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ Is this how the real girls feel?

♪ ♪ I cry ♪ ♪ Velociraptor am I ♪ ♪ Velociraptor am I ♪ ♪ Velociraptor I try ♪ ♪ To fulfill my destiny ♪ ♪ Oh, where is there somewhere for me?

♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo, ckk-ckk, raah ♪ ♪ Oh, me ♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo, ckk-ckk, raah ♪ ♪ Oh, where is there somewhere ♪ ♪ There's got to be somewhere ♪ ♪ Raah ♪ ♪ Say that there's somewhere ♪ ♪ Where is there somewhere ♪ ♪ For me ♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo, ckk-ckk, raah ♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo, ckk-ckk, raah ♪ ♪ Koo, koo-koo-koo ♪ ♪ Velociraptor am I ♪ ♪ Koo-koo-koo ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Iconis: Liz Lark Brown.

Liz Lark Brown.

♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ 9:45, a Friday night ♪ ♪ I'm by myself in my apartment ♪ ♪ And I'm feelin' alright ♪ A little depressed but mostly alright.

[ Laughter ] ♪ I call my sponsor, I kill a bug ♪ ♪ I pour some Gordon's into my World's Best Best Man mug ♪ ♪ Oh, how I love a novelty mug ♪ ♪ I look out my window to admire the view ♪ ♪ Of the window right across that you can see right through ♪ ♪ I cross my shaking fingers as the moment nears ♪ ♪ Then a light switches on ♪ ♪ And she appears ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, I do not know your name ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, I like you just the same ♪ ♪ She walks around, totally free ♪ ♪ You can tell that she's got guts ♪ ♪ She struts so effortlessly ♪ ♪ And so elegantly ♪ ♪ She's so different from me ♪ [ Grunts ] ♪ I duck down quickly ♪ ♪ Come up a drip ♪ ♪ I don't want her to think ♪ ♪ That I'm some perv on some voyeuristic trip ♪ ♪ No, no, I take another sip ♪ ♪ I promise I'm not looking out of carnal frustration ♪ ♪ It's more I'm just observing, rapt in admiration ♪ ♪ Oh, Naked Korean Girl, I know you're so pristine ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, you make me feel so clean ♪ ♪ Oh, Naked Korean Girl, you show me what to do-o-o ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, nah-nah-nah ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, wish I was just like yo-o-ou ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Wish I was just like you ♪ ♪ Ooh, oooooooooooooooooh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, ohhhhhh ♪ ♪ Leave my apartment ♪ ♪ I walk across the street ♪ ♪ I count the floors up to her window ♪ ♪ Think it's time that we meet ♪ ♪ Wait, how did I even get on the street?

♪ ♪ Eh, sneak in the building, attempt the stairs ♪ ♪ A couple couples see me fall all over ♪ ♪ But none of them cares ♪ [ Chuckles ] ♪ No, nobody cares ♪ ♪ I reach my destination ♪ ♪ The eleventh floor ♪ ♪ After a bit of trial and error ♪ ♪ I arrive at her door ♪ ♪ I give a knock ♪ ♪ I'm hoping ♪ ♪ I hear a lock ♪ ♪ And it's open ♪ ♪ Frightened Korean Girl ♪ ♪ I'm looking at her face ♪ ♪ I push into her place ♪ ♪ I go to the window ♪ ♪ Looking out and what do I see?

♪ ♪ Myself just staring back at me ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, I wonder what you think ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, as I step off the brink ♪ ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa, whoa-oa-oa-oa ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, Naked Korean Girl ♪ ♪ You'll never know my na-a-ame, nah-nah-nah ♪ ♪ Naked Korean Girl, your life will be the sa-a-ame ♪ ♪ But I am not the sa-a-ame ♪ ♪ No, I am not the sa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-me ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Iconis: Will Roland.

♪♪ ♪ The other day Ma said to me ♪ ♪ "What happened to that girl you went to high school with?"

♪ ♪ And I said, "Me Ma, gee Ma, I don't know, ♪ There's plenty of girls that I went to high school with" ♪ ♪ And she says, "No, Joe ♪ ♪ The one with the talent and the je ne sais quoi ♪ ♪ Who played in the play as Blanche DuBois ♪ In your senior year" ♪ ♪ And I said, "Helen?"

♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ "You mean Helen?

♪ ♪ Well, I don't know what she's up to ♪ ♪ I have no idea" ♪ ♪ But I did know, I knew well ♪ ♪ Just couldn't bring myself to tell ♪ ♪ That Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ She went from couldn't be nicer ♪ ♪ To wanton enticer ♪ ♪ Yeah, Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da-dum ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ The conference was over, and the folks were lame ♪ ♪ So I went back to my room with a couple hours to kill ♪ ♪ I thought I'd get a dirty movie with a nondescript name ♪ ♪ Just in case they print the title on the bill ♪ ♪ And I watched, it was fine ♪ ♪ There were girls, none were mine ♪ ♪ Then I spied a familiar face in the midst of sweat and sin ♪ ♪ My heart skipped a beat, my gut caved in, man ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Was shocked at what I was seein' ♪ ♪ My pre-K girlfriend was bein' ♪ ♪ Poked and prodded in skin flicks ♪ ♪ Wow ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Pick up the phone, gonna call everybody ♪ ♪ Pick up the phone, who'm I gonna call first?

♪ ♪ Was she slutty at school?

♪ ♪ My memory's muddy ♪ ♪ Buddy, I bet she's tight with Fred Durst ♪ ♪ I wonder if her dad knows ♪ ♪ You know that he's got to ♪ ♪ I remember that dude from the newspaper route ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Look at the phone ♪ ♪ Damn, that must be a lot to deal with ♪ ♪ And maybe he never found out about ♪ ♪ Helen ♪ ♪ Oh, well, then I guess that I'll call somebody later ♪ -Yeah, that's a good idea.

-Later's better.

Do that.

♪ I wonder if she's one of those girls ♪ ♪ Who loves what she does ♪ ♪ Or if she's being forced to stay ♪ ♪ I wonder if people who knew me in high school ♪ ♪ Are just as shocked at how I turned out ♪ ♪ And what I'm like today ♪ ♪ I mean, I am not impressive ♪ ♪ But I am not in pornos ♪ ♪ So I guess I'm not doing so bad ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ No, no, no, I'm not so shoddy ♪ ♪ But I don't want to jinx myself ♪ ♪ So I'm not telling anybody ♪ ♪ That Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Wrapped up in scandalous madness ♪ ♪ And her eyes show her sadness ♪ ♪ And she's been in some skin flicks ♪ ♪ Yeah, Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Her favorite candy was Smarties ♪ ♪ And she cried at cast parties ♪ ♪ Was an honor-roll Brownie ♪ ♪ And a self-proclaimed townie ♪ ♪ Hung with Sunday-school prayer nerds ♪ ♪ Never really said swear words ♪ ♪ Wanted to be a nurse ♪ ♪ And was a pretty nice person ♪ ♪ But Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Helen's in skin flicks now ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da-dum ♪ ♪ Oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Ah, ah-ah-ah, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Ah-ah-ah, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ba-da-da ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ Whoo!

♪ La, la, la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Jason SweetTooth Williams.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Clears throat ] Gang, how are we doing so far?

Are we having an okay time?

Ah.

[ Cheers and applause ] Oh, my goodness.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Yeah, it's, like, you know, we do a lot of shows, but this is a very nerve-racking -- it's a nerve-racking gig, and, you know, I felt good -- I felt good when I was speaking before the show, and I told that story, and I was like, "Alright, alright, this is going well, this is going well."

And then I started singing, and I was like, "Oh, man, I feel like I'm losing them."

You know, like, I felt like, "Oh, the audience is liking me less the more I do my songs."

No, no, no, no.

No, no, no.

I just wanted to be honest with you.

I didn't want an "Aww," but thank you.

I took it.

I appreciated it.

Listen, I'm gonna do -- I'm gonna do this -- I'm gonna do this tune now that is -- it's a song that I wrote that was inspired by a movie, alright?

And this movie is called "Death Becomes Her," and -- Audience member: Whoo!

Great.

Again, one person.

That person doesn't want people to feel alone, and that person really likes "Death Becomes Her."

[ Laughter ] And so it's not, like, a song that would be sung, really, by a character in the movie, but I was really inspired by that movie because that movie's about -- it's about people who are friends and who are artists, and it's about jealousy.

And it's something that, you know, as an artist working in the American musical theater, I feel myself jealous of other people and other shows and then all sorts of stuff like that.

And so the next two songs are kind of about that, about being -- what it is to be an artist in today's day and age in New York City.

But this next one is specifically inspired by "Death Becomes Her," and the name of it is "Helen Sharp."

And before I sing it, I'm gonna take a sip of water.

So pause for 12 seconds.

[ Laughter ] Welcome back.

Thanks.

[ Applause ] [ Clears throat ] [ Coughs ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Something to tell you that I forgot to say is that, in the movie "Death Becomes Her," the two women who starred in it were Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn.

And Meryl Streep played this actress named Madeline Ashton, and Goldie Hawn was her friend who was riddled with jealousy, and her name was Helen Sharp.

♪ I try to focus on the work ♪ ♪ But it's hell, but it's hell ♪ ♪ I try hard not to go berserk ♪ ♪ That is not going well ♪ [ Chuckles ] ♪ Lately, it's harder than it seems ♪ ♪ To ignore, to ignore ♪ ♪ That she's accomplished all my dreams ♪ ♪ Then some more, then some more ♪ ♪ Then some more, then some ♪ ♪ Hee, hee, hee ♪ ♪ Hee, hee, hee ♪ ♪ Hee, hee, hee ♪ ♪ I know that jealousy should not ♪ ♪ Be allowed in my heart ♪ ♪ Then I see a poster of her ♪ ♪ And I've got to just rip it apart ♪ ♪ I try to channel all this hate ♪ ♪ Into good, into good ♪ ♪ But whenever I go to create ♪ ♪ It don't flow like it should ♪ ♪ And I wanna sing about hope, about faith ♪ ♪ About loving and persevering ♪ ♪ I wanna sing about trust, about time ♪ ♪ About facing the things I am fearing ♪ ♪ I wanna sing about dreams that come true ♪ ♪ About secreting what I'm after ♪ ♪ I wanna sing about me, about you ♪ ♪ Have the room filled with light and laughter ♪ ♪ And I try my best to figure it out ♪ ♪ But all I end up singing about is ♪ ♪ Madeline, Madeline, Madeline, Madeline ♪ ♪ Madeline, Madeline, Madeline, Madeline ♪ ♪ Hee, hee, hee ♪ ♪ Hee, hee, hee ♪ ♪ Hee, hee, hee, hee ♪ ♪ My psychotherapist is great ♪ ♪ Well, except when she's not ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ She says I must eliminate ♪ ♪ This fixation I got ♪ ♪ Mm, my cats all tell me just to chill ♪ ♪ I can't help that I'm tense ♪ ♪ I swear someone would think I'm ill ♪ ♪ If this didn't make sense ♪ ♪ And don't get me wrong ♪ ♪ I wanna sing about how someone else's successes ♪ ♪ Do not affect me ♪ ♪ I wanna sing about how my own drive ♪ ♪ And my passion will always protect me ♪ ♪ Oh, I wanna sing about age, about youth ♪ ♪ About how it is overrated ♪ ♪ I wanna sing about rage, about truth ♪ ♪ About no longer feeling frustrated ♪ ♪ But whenever I sit down to chat ♪ ♪ The place that I am always at is ♪ ♪ Madeline, Madeline, Madeline, Madeline ♪ ♪ Madeline, Madeline, Madeline, Madeline ♪ ♪ You know her, she's the one ♪ ♪ Who gets the drink before the keg is tapped out ♪ ♪ You know her, she's the one ♪ ♪ Whose star ascended, you're the star who crapped out ♪ ♪ The one who wins the prizes ♪ ♪ Does yoga exercises ♪ ♪ Whose life is everything you wanted for yourself ♪ ♪ And you pull a tub of icing off the shelf ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Clears throat ] ♪ It is not lost on me you're all here at my show ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ With your support, I try to let my anger go ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ But as I look out at your faces I can tell ♪ ♪ Hmm, you'd rather be with her ♪ ♪ I know that look real well ♪ ♪ Oh, yeah, so, I'm gonna sing about how I'll stay here ♪ ♪ I'll perform for one eye-rolling waiter ♪ ♪ I'm gonna sing about how you should leave ♪ ♪ And go be with that person who's greater ♪ ♪ I'm gonna sing till the anger and jealousy ♪ ♪ Illness and horror just numbs me ♪ ♪ And you and Madeline may think that I'm ugly ♪ ♪ But I think that bitterness becomes me ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ Bitterness becomes me ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Bitterness becomes me-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ Bitterness becomes me-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ Bitterness becomes me-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ Bitterness becomes me-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ E-e-e-e-e ♪ ♪ Madeline, Madeline, Madeline, Madeline ♪ Ow!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Well, I'm a writer ♪ ♪ A writer of songs ♪ ♪ Pretty little ditties and sing-alongs ♪ ♪ So I ain't made a dime in a while ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ I been hittin' the circuit ♪ ♪ To sell my wares ♪ ♪ Got a lot of material ♪ ♪ Nobody cares ♪ ♪ They tell me that my songs gone out of style ♪ ♪ Mm-hmm ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Well, I score a showcase ♪ ♪ Some big record man ♪ ♪ And I know, by the end, he's gonna be my fan ♪ ♪ I play my music bit by bit ♪ Whoo!

♪ My hands are shakin' ♪ ♪ And my head is high ♪ ♪ He sneezes and he fidgets ♪ ♪ Says, "What else you got?"

♪ ♪ I shrug and I'm like ♪ ♪ "That was it" ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ He says, "If you'd come in here in '73 ♪ ♪ You're the kind that I would've signed instantly ♪ ♪ But it's now, not then, so if I may be bold ♪ ♪ Your material just feels a little old" ♪ ♪ I walk out his office ♪ ♪ Head full of strife ♪ ♪ 'Cause this is the story of my life ♪ ♪ I'm in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ And it's a short walk but a long climb ♪ ♪ I'm in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ I'm in the right song with the wrong rhyme ♪ ♪ Is there a space where I belong ♪ ♪ I'm just in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Is there anybody else who feels this way?

♪ ♪ I am a singer ♪ ♪ My dreams are big, but producer's minds are small ♪ ♪ So I can't get a gig ♪ ♪ And I've been at it for a while ♪ ♪ In my Corolla, I drive around ♪ ♪ From audition to audition ♪ ♪ They don't like my sound ♪ ♪ Tell me my singing's out of style ♪ ♪ Singin' in a bar, owner looks at my face ♪ ♪ Says me I remind him of a girl who used to work at this place ♪ ♪ She made it real big, but that was way back when ♪ ♪ You'd be set if you'd been around then ♪ ♪ I throw back a whiskey, then one more ♪ ♪ Because I've heard it all before ♪ ♪ I'm in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ And it's a short walk but a long climb ♪ ♪ I'm in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ I'm in the right song with the wrong rhyme ♪ ♪ Is there a space where I belong ♪ ♪ I'm just in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Is there anybody else who feels this way?

♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I leave the building ♪ ♪ Walk out the bar ♪ ♪ I head for the street ♪ ♪ And I get in my car ♪ ♪ I'm prayin', Lord, please send some kind of sign ♪ ♪ Then I see a woman ♪ ♪ Her eyes are deep and black ♪ ♪ In my windshield there's a man ♪ ♪ With a guitar on his back ♪ ♪ I wonder if his life is just like mine ♪ ♪ I wonder if her life is just like mine ♪ ♪ Stare at each other ♪ ♪ Feelings hypnotized ♪ ♪ We never break the contact from each other's eyes ♪ ♪ Even as she accidentally mows me down ♪ ♪ Now he's bloody on the pavement ♪ ♪ And I am close to death ♪ ♪ And I could smell the alcohol upon her breath ♪ ♪ And I hear sirens comin' from across town ♪ ♪ And now my song is done, and my life is, too ♪ ♪ And my story is a testament to all those who ♪ ♪ Are in the ♪ ♪ Right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ Right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ Short walk but a long climb ♪ ♪ Short walk but a long climb ♪ ♪ Right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ Right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ I'm in the right song with the wrong rhyme ♪ ♪ Right song with the wrong rhyme ♪ ♪ Is there a space where I belong ♪ ♪ Space where I belong ♪ ♪ Right place at the ♪ ♪ Wrong time ♪ ♪ We're in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ And it's a short walk but a long climb ♪ ♪ We're in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ We're in the right song with the wrong rhyme ♪ ♪ Is there a space where I belong ♪ I'm just in the right place at the wrong time ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Now I'm not the only person who feels this way ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Hey, he-e-e-y ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey, yeah ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey, yeah ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey, yeah ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, he-e-e-e-e-e-y ♪ ♪ Mm-hmm ♪ ♪ Mm-hmmmmmmmmm ♪ ♪ Right place, wrong time ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Iconis: Katrina Rose Dideriksen.

Eric William Morris [ Cheers and applause continue ] ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Take a breath, girl, and dry your eyes ♪ ♪ 'Cause that man, he ain't coming back no more ♪ ♪ And what happened should come as no surprise ♪ ♪ He was the same as every man you ever had before ♪ ♪ And I think that it's time you stop wasting your time ♪ ♪ Chasing something you're never gonna find ♪ ♪ You need to open up your eyes ♪ ♪ And look at me ♪ ♪ And leave all of those others behind ♪ ♪ And I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ That you are the only woman for me ♪ ♪ And I just wanna show ya ♪ ♪ I want you to know that ♪ ♪ Wherever you may go is where I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my honey, honey, yeah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Now, I know that I ain't perfect ♪ ♪ I might not be handsome enough for a woman like you ♪ ♪ But I know you better than anybody else ♪ ♪ And it ain't nobody gonna love you like I do ♪ ♪ And I just wanna tell you, yeah ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell you ♪ ♪ That you are the only woman for me ♪ ♪ And I just wanna show ya ♪ ♪ I want you to know that ♪ ♪ Wherever you may go is where I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my honey, honey, yeah ♪ ♪ Whoa-oa-oa, whoa-oa-oa, yeah ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my ♪ ♪ Yeah, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ I know it's not my place to be laying this on you ♪ ♪ And I know I'm coming on too strong ♪ ♪ Coming on too strong, yeah♪ ♪ But I can't stand to see you hurt no more ♪ ♪ And I've been keeping this inside ♪ ♪ For wa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-y too long ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ That you are the only woman for me ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ And I just wanna show you, yeah ♪ ♪ I want you to know that ♪ ♪ Wherever you may go is where I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ And I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ Tell ya ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ That you are the only woman for me, yeah ♪ ♪ And I just wanna show ya ♪ ♪ I want you to know that ♪ ♪ Wherever you may go is where I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my honey, honey, yeah ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ That you are the only woman for me ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ And I just wanna show, yeah ♪ ♪ I want you to know that ♪ ♪ Wherever you may go is where I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be, you're always gonna be ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell you, yeah ♪ ♪ I just wanna tell ya ♪ ♪ That you are the only woman for me ♪ ♪ I just wanna show ya ♪ ♪ I want you to know that ♪ ♪ Wherever you may go is where I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my honey, honey, yeah ♪ ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa, yeah ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my honey, honey, yeah ♪ ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa, yeah ♪ ♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa, yeah ♪ ♪ Y-e-e-e-e-e-ah ♪ ♪ You're always gonna be my honey, honey, yeah ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Nick Blaemire.

Nick Blaemire.

This song is the theme song for a musical that I wrote for Annie Golden called "Broadway Bounty Hunter."

One, two, three, four.

♪♪ ♪♪ Oh!

♪♪ ♪ Good God, it's later than she thought ♪ ♪ I guess it's time to start ♪ ♪ The daily grind ♪ ♪ So many villains to be fought ♪ ♪ Who try to tear apart a peace of mind ♪ ♪ She applies the war paint to her face ♪ ♪ Puts on her armor with uncommon grace ♪ ♪ The elevator comes and she steps on ♪ ♪ And she wonders where the good times gone ♪ ♪ 'Cause they're not giving no free rides ♪ ♪ They don't lay their glitz on you ♪ ♪ Just spinning B-sides ♪ ♪ They don't waste their hits on you ♪ ♪ Try to bust out, they put you back in that cage ♪ ♪ When you're a woman of a certain age ♪ [ Vocalizing ] ♪ Oh, Lord, my feet are falling off ♪ ♪ Still got a thousand miles ♪ ♪ In front of me ♪ ♪ I walk the city street, I cough ♪ [ Coughs ] ♪ I guess these lungs just ain't ♪ ♪ What they used to be ♪ ♪ There's a hobo begging over there ♪ Williams: [ Groans ] ♪ Here, have a dollar, buddy, life ain't fair ♪ ♪ Mama, hang onto your charity ♪ ♪ Looks like you need it more than me ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ They're not giving no free rides ♪ ♪ They don't lay their glitz on you ♪ ♪ Just spinning B-sides ♪ ♪ They don't waste their hits on you ♪ ♪ Try to bust out, they put you back in that cage ♪ ♪ When you're a woman of a certain age ♪ ♪ Walk into the room, into the den of the firing squad ♪ ♪ Feel the rise of doom and say amen ♪ ♪ Try to maintain a facade ♪ ♪ Of cool ♪ ♪ You cool ♪ ♪ Baby, baby, stay cool ♪ ♪ Giving no free rides ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ They don't lay their glitz on you ♪ ♪ Just spinning B-sides ♪ ♪ They don't waste their hits on you ♪ ♪ Try to bust out, they put you back in your cage ♪ ♪ When you're a woman of a certain ♪ ♪ They don't do you no favors ♪ ♪ Or hand you no goodie bags ♪ ♪ Sick of your flavor ♪ ♪ They think that you're just a drag ♪ ♪ Everyone laughs while you'll be seething with rage ♪ ♪ When you're a woman of a certain ♪ ♪ They don't give you no free rides ♪ ♪ Just spinning B-sides ♪ ♪ Singing your song, they kick you off of the stage ♪ ♪ When you're a woman of a certain ♪ ♪ Woman of a certain ♪ ♪ Woman of a certain age ♪ ♪ When you're a woman of a certain age ♪ ♪ When you're a woman ♪ ♪ A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-age ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Iconis: Badia Farha.

Ms. Badia Farha.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thanks, gang.

As I said, that's the theme song from this musical I wrote called "Broadway Bounty Hunter" that's gonna have an album that comes out soon.

[ Cheers and applause ] So if you're the sort of person who buys albums, buy that one, and I just wanted to take note.

Earlier, when I was singing that "Helen Sharp" song, at the end of the song, I was really feeling it, and so I crumbled up my lyrics, and I threw them over there, and the second that I did that, I was like, "Shit.

I need those."

[ Laughter ] And so the reason I left the stage after a really rock-star moment of throwing lyrics was to go back to that table and literally say, "I'm so sorry.

I need those.

I'm gonna take them back."

Which is the least rock-star thing one can do.

[ Laughter ] Listen, this next tune is gonna be sung by a lady who is -- she's one of my favorite actors of all time, and I continue to pinch myself that she ever agreed to sing a song of mine, and this is a tune that I wrote just for her.

And she requires no introduction except put your stinking hands together for Betty Buckley.

[ Cheers and applause ] The incredible Betty Buckley.

Iconis: Hey.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] It's really her.

She's here.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you.

How's the show going, Betty?

I watched for most of it.

Yeah?

Okay, good.

Yeah.

I'm glad you're liking it.

I'm a huge fan, as you know.

Thanks.

Likewise.

I wrote him on Facebook to tell him that I was a fan and ask him if he would ever think of me for any of his shows, And that's how we met.

Yeah, yeah, it's the age-old story.

And he kindly responded.

Facebook, you know?

Should we tell them how it occurred?

It's, um -- yeah.

I mean, yeah, go for it.

So after I wrote him and he responded so kindly, he invited me to be a part of the Joe Iconis Family evening at 54 Below, and so I said, "Well, what would you like me to sing?"

And so he sent me several songs, and after I had gone to all this trouble, you see, to meet him, you know, at least over Facebook Messenger, he sent me these songs.

Well, we finally got each other's e-mail at that point.

And I was really embarrassed 'cause none of them really felt like something I could do.

And so I took some days to figure out how to respond to that, and so I wrote him back and I said, "God, I'm so sorry, Joe, but none of these seem to really fit."

You know, why didn't you send me that "Woman of a Certain Age"?

Except she sings it so outrageously.

Yeah, I should've.

Next time.

[ Laughter ] But that was the issue, you know, being a woman of a certain age and finding material that is something that you can sing about.

And so he said, "Don't worry, don't worry.

I'll write you something."

So I was thrilled, of course.

So weeks go by, and I'm like -- and I knew I need time to learn material.

I.E.

-- the music stand.

I'm still working on this one.

And so, even though I've recorded it and everything.

You'd think, by now...

But, anyway, the song didn't come.

He said, "Don't worry about it.

Don't worry about it."

Then I week would go by, and I'd say, "Well, do you think maybe I should give you -- maybe -- I have some ideas, or --" "No, don't worry about it.

I'm on it."

And so... [ Laughter ] ...two days before I was to... [ Laughter ] ...to perform for him at 54 Below, he sent me the song, and it was, like, pages long, and I was like, "Oh, my God."

And my sweet assistant, Cathy, was like, "Don't worry.

You don't have to do it.

It's a lot to learn."

And I was like, "Oh, my God, but it's so good."

So I met him at a rehearsal the day before, and I was just enchanted because I couldn't believe that this young, fantastic Broadway composer, lyricist could write material that... [ Cheers and applause ] See, all my favorite people had written to me and said, you know, "Do you know Joe Iconis' material?"

'Cause they were all huge fans of his.

So I looked him up and started listening to his material.

Anyway, I couldn't believe that without us meeting or, really, having any major conversations, he could write something that was about something that I knew a lot about, and I was just so amazed at the soul connection that we had.

And so the first time I performed it, I was terrified, but, anyway, it was a blast... Yeah, yeah.

...and I love you, Joe Iconis.

Yeah, I love you, Betty Buckley.

[ Cheers and applause ] Oh, Margaret White.

Can't believe it.

Shall we do it?

Shall we do the thing?

Yes, let's do it.

Alright.

[ Clears throat ] Okay.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'm ready.

[ Chuckles ] [ Exhales deeply ] ♪♪ ♪ I am waiting for a man ♪ ♪ I am sitting in his place ♪ ♪ It's been 40, 50 years ♪ ♪ Since I last saw his face ♪ ♪ I used to pray that he'd come back ♪ ♪ I'd hold a photo to my chest ♪ ♪ I would whisper filthy poems ♪ ♪ The doctor said I was obsessed ♪ [ Laughter ] [ Clears throat ] ♪ I moved on and I grew up ♪ ♪ I had a husband, a career ♪ ♪ But lately, I been feeling prickly ♪ ♪ Guess that's what brought me here ♪ ♪ In some minutes, maybe more ♪ ♪ He's gonna open up that door ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ Will you freeze or will you run ♪ ♪ When you see I've got a gun?

♪ ♪ When you see I've got a gun?

♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ Will I feel a little doubt ♪ ♪ When it's time to snuff you out?

♪ [ Laughter ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Oh, I try to think of good things ♪ ♪ And the positives I've got ♪ ♪ Then I think of him a little ♪ ♪ Then I think of him a lot ♪ ♪ And it's not him just by himself ♪ ♪ I think of what he put me through ♪ ♪ And how I had to overcome that ♪ ♪ Which he never had to do ♪ ♪ I been sittin' here forever ♪ ♪ It's so like him that he's late ♪ ♪ And now he's made me think about him ♪ ♪ That's a part of him I hate ♪ ♪ Well, hate is much too strong a word ♪ ♪ I guess that I'm not bein' fair ♪ ♪ As I clutch the pistol tighter ♪ ♪ In the dark and in his chair ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ Why does your memory persist?

♪ ♪ I think I hate that you exist ♪ ♪ I think I hate that you exist ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ Why should I have any doubt ♪ ♪ That I need to snuff you out?

♪ ♪ 'Cause Oprah Winfrey told me on TV the other day ♪ ♪ That dealing with the past was really so the only way ♪ ♪ To move on and change and be the woman I deserve to be ♪ ♪ See, Oprah told me ♪ ♪ Yeah, Oprah told me!

♪ ♪ And I realize the reason I was feeling awfully low ♪ ♪ I had not really confronted what had happened long ago ♪ ♪ I was dealing with the past and this man, and Oprah said ♪ ♪ That the best way to get past the past ♪ ♪ Is shoot it in the head!

♪ [ Laughter ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Or something like that ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ Sometimes I paraphrase ♪ [ Laughter ] Well, anyways ♪♪ ♪ I am ♪ ♪ Sitting in -- ♪ ♪ Waiting for a man ♪ [ Chuckling ] Oh, no.

♪ I am waiting for a man ♪ ♪ I hear his car, I start to churn ♪ ♪ Steps on gravel coming close ♪ ♪ I see the doorknob start to turn ♪ ♪ I aim my gun, he steps inside ♪ ♪ He looks at me and I at him ♪ ♪ He's confused, and I am too ♪ ♪ I say out loud, "Well, you're not Jim" ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ He says, "Who's Jim?"

I try to leave ♪ ♪ He grabs me roughly by the arm ♪ ♪ I shoot him in the shoulder ♪ [ Drum beat ] ♪ It's self-defense, I mean no harm ♪ ♪ Now my ears are ringing loud ♪ ♪ I walk swiftly from the house ♪ ♪ You can't trust Google for addresses ♪ [ Laughter ] ♪ And look, a blood stain on my blouse ♪ ♪ I hear Oprah in my head ♪ ♪ As I look down at my shirt ♪ ♪ "When you can't let go of the past" ♪ ♪ "That's when the innocent get hurt" ♪ ♪ There's a lesson to be learned here ♪ ♪ What it is, I just can't see ♪ ♪ I'm not living in the past ♪ ♪ It's the past that lives in me ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ Look at what you made me do ♪ ♪ I guess I always knew ♪ ♪ I guess I always knew ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ You'd never let me mend ♪ ♪ You'd burn me in the end ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ How I struggle, how I fight ♪ ♪ But I can't ignore your light ♪ ♪ I cannot ignore your light ♪ ♪ Old flame, old flame ♪ ♪ You are out there burning bright ♪ ♪ And I can't ignore your light ♪ ♪ I cannot ignore your light ♪ ♪ Light ♪ ♪ Liiiiiiiii-i-i-i-i-i-i-ight ♪ ♪♪ [ Sighs ] ♪ Now I haven't any doubt ♪ ♪ Hard as I try ♪ [ Sighs ] ♪ I will never blow you out ♪ [ Blows ] ♪♪ [ Blows forcefully ] ♪♪ [ Blows softly ] ♪ I will always be the same ♪ ♪ Old flaaaaaame ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Betty Buckley!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] The incredible Betty Buckley.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Betty Buckley.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Incredible.

Um, yes, a seven-minute song that I gave her [laughing] two days before the show.

Um, let's do a song from "Love in Hate Nation."

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ I'm supposed to act the way they want me to act ♪ ♪ But I don't wanna act that way, so ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Won't be told whose hand I can hold ♪ ♪ Or which words I'm allowed to say, no ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ If I'm heading to the battle zone ♪ ♪ I don't wanna, I don't wanna go alone ♪ ♪ Take a stand ♪ ♪ Hold my hand ♪ [ Drumming, rhythmic clapping ] ♪ Been this way since I was a girl ♪ ♪ In a dress with a frilly bow ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ "Play with Barbie," they yelled, "Play with Barbie!"

♪ ♪ But I wanted G.I.

Joe ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Learn to cook, learn to clean, learn to breed ♪ ♪ Skills I do not necessarily need, no!

♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ If I'm heading to the battle zone ♪ ♪ I don't wanna, I don't wanna go alone ♪ ♪ See the crown ♪ ♪ Take it down ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I'm supposed to dress the way they want me to dress ♪ ♪ But I got other dresses in mind, so ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Why do we have to fit into roles ♪ ♪ A man we don't know defined?

♪ ♪ No!

♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Sugar and spice and everything nice ♪ ♪ Comes at a hefty, hefty price ♪ ♪ And today, they'll all pay ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ ♪ I'm supposed to act the way they want me to act ♪ ♪ But I don't wanna act that way, so ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Won't be told whose hand I can hold ♪ ♪ Or which words I'm allowed to say, no!

♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ If I'm heading to the battle zone ♪ ♪ I don't wanna, I don't wanna go alone ♪ ♪ Take a stand ♪ ♪ Hold my hand ♪ ♪ Evolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Evolution in the institution ♪ ♪ S-T-O-P ♪ ♪ You won't touch my family ♪ ♪ H-A-T-E ♪ ♪ Will not take my love from me ♪ ♪ S-T-O-P ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ You won't touch my family ♪ ♪ Evolution in the institution ♪ ♪ H-A-T-E ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Whoa ♪ ♪ Evolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Hate nation is coming down ♪ ♪ It's coming down tonight ♪ ♪ Hate nation is coming down ♪ ♪ We're putting up a fight ♪ ♪ Soon it'll be everything ♪ ♪ That we been dreaming of ♪ ♪ Hate nation will be erased ♪ ♪ And be replaced with ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Love ♪ ♪ Revolution in the institution ♪ ♪ Hey!

♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Alex Ferrara, Rachel Lee, Danielle Gimbal, Amara Brady!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Gang, this next tune is gonna be sung by a lady whose name I mentioned earlier in relation to "Broadway Bounty Hunter."

This is a song that has not been performed by the gang and I in, I think, 12 years.

And I wanted to bring it back 'cause the last time, 12 years ago, it was performed, it was performed by this lady in a basement on 42nd Street.

And so it feels only appropriate that it should be performed in not a basement in Columbus Circle.

Annie Golden!

[ Cheers and applause ] This ain't no basement.

Fancy!

Fancy.

Fancy-schmancy.

Broadway-schwoadway, we're uptown now!

[ Laughs ] Yeah.

[ Laughter ] Wanna do it?

Yeah, let's do it.

♪♪ ♪ I've got a little problem ♪ ♪ That's really got me low ♪ ♪ I've got a crush on this beautiful boy ♪ ♪ But nobody can know ♪ ♪ 'Cause for a straight-A lily-white virginal girl ♪ ♪ It's wrong to like that kind of guy ♪ ♪ And if we were ever seen together in public ♪ ♪ My friends would scream and my mother would die ♪ ♪ And on top of that ♪ ♪ I wanna ask him if he likes me or ♪ ♪ If he thinks I bite ♪ ♪ But no matter his reply ♪ ♪ I'll never take my eye ♪ ♪ Off this different kind of Mr.

Right ♪ ♪♪ ♪ His hair is dirty ♪ ♪ And he paints his nails black ♪ ♪ He wears dog tags ♪ ♪ And patches on his knapsack ♪ ♪ He curses like he's got Tourette's ♪ ♪ And he tokes and smokes clove cigarettes ♪ ♪ And I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ But no one can know ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ With a punk rocker named Joe ♪ [ Laughter and cheers ] [ Laughs ] [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Don't really fit together ♪ ♪ We're like Mickey D's and fine wine ♪ ♪ I say to myself, "Megan, this will never work out" ♪ ♪ "He's on drugs and you're on kick line" ♪ ♪ But what sets him apart from those other guys ♪ ♪ Is the soul behind his bloodshot eyes ♪ ♪ And I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ But no one can know ♪ ♪ Oh, oh ♪ ♪ I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ With a punk rocker named Joe ♪ ♪ And I wish I had the courage to talk to him ♪ ♪ And walk with him down the hall ♪ ♪ And not worry about what other people say ♪ ♪ 'Cause I see the way they make fun of him ♪ ♪ And he doesn't seem to mind at all ♪ ♪ No, Joe don't care if they look or stare ♪ ♪ I wish I could be that way ♪ ♪ Last night I went to see his band play ♪ ♪ His stage name is "The Pagan" ♪ ♪ And right before they played "The Chainsaw of Love" ♪ ♪ He ripped off his shirt and said ♪ ♪ "This one goes out to Megan" ♪ ♪ In that instant, I saw, I knew ♪ ♪ That his nipples were pierced and his heart was too ♪ ♪ And he's in love, he's in love, he's in love ♪ ♪ And he wants me to know ♪ ♪ And I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ And I think that I'm finally gonna tell him so ♪ ♪ Whoa ♪ ♪ So let them call me names ♪ ♪ Whatever ♪ ♪ Let them not support me ♪ ♪ As long as we're together, baby, I don't care ♪ ♪ We'll be just like Kurt and Courtney ♪ ♪ Let them look and stare and laugh and sneer ♪ ♪ I'm gonna shout it for the whole damn world to hear ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ Yes, I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ With a punk rocker ♪ ♪ Named Joe, oh, oh ♪ ♪ I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love ♪ ♪ And now you know ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Annie Golden!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] The incredible Annie Golden.

Annie frickin' Golden.

Um, oh, my goodness.

Okay, we got three more songs for you.

Oh, no!

[ Laughter ] We got three more tunes, super quick.

This next song that I'm gonna do is a song from a musical that I'm writing about Hunter S. Thompson.

[ Cheers and applause ] And -- yeah!

Hunter S. Thompson was a sort of counterculture hero in the '60s and '70s, and he wrote about what was going on in America at that time, which is, um, kind of a lot like what's going on in America at this time.

And so, this song is based on a piece of writing that he did called the Wave Speech.

It's in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," this book that he wrote that's -- [ audio distortion ] And it's sort of about the idealism of the '60s and this time when it felt like there were a lot of -- there was a lot of hope in America, and that sort of went away.

And when I first wrote this song, I wrote it about a similar -- a similar experience that I've had in this country and a similar experience in my life and just thinking about the past and the future and all that business.

And so, here it is.

It's called "Wave."

And there's a -- there's a section at the end where I repeat some words.

It's really simple.

I'm not asking for audience participation, but if anybody wanted to repeat the repeated words with me, please feel like you can, you can do so.

Thank you, everyone.

[ Laughs ] [ Laughter ] ♪ History is hard to know ♪ ♪ A moment happens, you move on ♪ ♪ Memories mutate, leave, or grow ♪ ♪ But strangely, some are never gone ♪ ♪ My memory of that time is clear ♪ ♪ Based on one or five or forty nights ♪ ♪ We'd leave the Fillmore drenched in beer ♪ ♪ And get in my car, aim for the lights ♪ ♪ And it didn't matter which way I went 'cause I knew ♪ ♪ Where I ended up, people would be there who ♪ ♪ Were just as high and wild as I was ♪ ♪ And just as brave ♪ ♪ 'Cause we were riding the crest ♪ ♪ Of a high and beautiful wave ♪ ♪ Sparks were flying left and right ♪ ♪ The old and evil waged their war ♪ ♪ But we wouldn't battle, we wouldn't fight ♪ ♪ They asked us "Why?"

we said "What for?"

♪ ♪ 'Cause we had momentum, they had none ♪ ♪ The changing wind was in our sail ♪ ♪ We knew how our battle would be won ♪ ♪ Our energy would simply prevail ♪ ♪ And it didn't matter which way I went 'cause I knew ♪ ♪ Where I ended up, people would be there who ♪ ♪ Were just as high and wild as I was ♪ ♪ And just as brave ♪ ♪ And we were riding the crest ♪ ♪ Of a high and beautiful wave ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Yeah, we all were moving together then and we knew ♪ ♪ That as the hurricane raged and the cold wind blew ♪ ♪ That we'd be sailing together and headed to ♪ ♪ That new horizon that we could see ♪ ♪ And we just knew, inevitably ♪ ♪ That we'd soon be so wild and free ♪ ♪ Walking on solid ground we'd soon pave ♪ ♪ After riding the crest ♪ ♪ Of a high ♪ ♪ And beautiful wave ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Now today on a hill in Las Vegas ♪ ♪ If you look to the west past the neon-soaked skies ♪ ♪ If you look to the west with the right kind of eyes ♪ ♪ You can see it past the desert through the dark ♪ ♪ You can almost see that high water mark ♪ ♪ That sight that will ignite the fade to black ♪ ♪ Where the wave finally broke ♪ ♪ And rolled back ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ ♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ ♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ ♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ ♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ Two more.

♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ One more, real big, everybody.

♪ Whoosh, crash ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ This next song is from a musical I wrote called "Bloodsong of Love."

It's a rock 'n' roll spaghetti Western musical.

And here to sing it is the fella who's the leading man of that musical, Eric William Morris!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Gonna find the bastard ♪ ♪ Get my woman back ♪ ♪ And be with her again beneath the setting sun ♪ ♪ Gonna find the bastard ♪ ♪ Get my woman back ♪ ♪ And be with her again beneath the setting sun ♪ ♪ They done me wrong, I've been abused ♪ ♪ But revenge is not what fuels my tortured roar ♪ ♪ Revenge has long since been defused ♪ ♪ By the desire just to taste my baby's lips once more ♪ ♪ Gonna find the bastard, get my woman back ♪ ♪ And be with her again beneath the setting sun ♪ ♪ He's gonna find the bastard, get his woman back ♪ ♪ And be with her again beneath the setting sun ♪ ♪ Oh, Violetta, Violetta, Violetta ♪ ♪ I'll bring you home, girl ♪ ♪ Oh, Violetta, Violetta, Violetta ♪ ♪ I'll bring you home, girl ♪ ♪ Because the only thing I know how to do ♪ ♪ Is to live and breathe and die for you ♪ ♪ And from now on when they ask my name ♪ ♪ What's your name, what's your name?

♪ ♪ My answer always gonna be the same ♪ ♪ What's your name, what's your name?

♪ ♪ I say my name is awful long ♪ ♪ As it's the lyrics of this song ♪ ♪ Find the bastard, get my woman back ♪ ♪ And be with her again beneath the setting sun ♪ ♪ Find the bastard, get my woman back ♪ ♪ And be with her again beneath the setting sun ♪ ♪ I sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La-la la-la-la, la-la la-la-la ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ I sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La-la la-la-la, la-la la-la-la ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ I sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La-la la-la-la, la-la la-la-la ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ I sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ Sing la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, la-la-la ♪ ♪ La-la la-la-la, la-la la-la-la ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ 'Neath the setting sun ♪ ♪ Ahhhh, ahhhh ♪ ♪ Ahhhhhhh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you!

Thank you, everybody, so, so, so, so, so much.

We got one more song.

Before we do that, I just need to say a few quick thank-yous and then we'll send you on your way.

Truly, truly, truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to "Lincoln Center's American Songbook" for having us here tonight, and thank you all for coming!

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you to Matt on lights, Scott on sound, Phil mixing us so beautifully.

Thank you to Charles and Paloma and Doug and Jon.

Those are all the folks at "Lincoln Center American Songbook."

They're responsible, so either thank them or blame them -- it's their fault that we're here.

Thank you to Charlie Gallagher, Jennifer Ashley Tepper, Max Friedman, who essentially directed this whole thing today.

Thanks to my collaborators in the audience who aren't in this show, but it's John Simpkins and Jen Werner, and thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with us for this whole time.

And if everyone in the audience could do me a close and personal favor, if everyone, on your way home or wherever the hell you're going after this, if you could look in your Playbill and just read the names of all the human beings who are on this stage tonight.

In addition to being the most talented people, they're also the most wonderful.

So, please give the hugest round of applause for The Family.

[ Cheers and applause ] And we met all the actors, but I just got to say the names of the band members who we haven't met.

So, keep the applause going for Dave Cinquegrana on guitar, Brent Stranathan on drums, Ian Kagey on bass, Geoff Ko on synth and bullshit.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] And truly, thank you guys.

If you want to sing along to this last one and you know the words, please do.

Thanks for being so kind to us.

♪♪ ♪ The time has come ♪ ♪ I'm flying away ♪ ♪ Mouth is numb ♪ ♪ Heart don't know what to say ♪ ♪ And although I'll be out of sight, dear ♪ ♪ Know I'll be right here ♪ ♪ Right here forever, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ And when you look to the night skies ♪ ♪ Don't think of goodbyes ♪ ♪ Think how I'm right here, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ Thank you for teaching me lessons ♪ ♪ Thank you for listening to mine ♪ ♪ Man, you know how to ride a bike now ♪ ♪ Don't be scared, you'll be fine ♪ ♪ And although I'll be out of sight, dear ♪ ♪ Know I'll be right here ♪ ♪ Right here forever, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ And when you look to the night skies ♪ ♪ Don't think of goodbyes ♪ ♪ Think how I'm right here, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ Come!

♪ ♪ No, you can't come with me ♪ ♪ Stay!

♪ ♪ I wish I could ♪ ♪ Goodbye ♪ ♪ I know it's hard to say ♪ ♪ Come!

♪ ♪ No, you can't come with me ♪ ♪ Stay!

♪ ♪ I wish I could ♪ ♪ Goodbye ♪ ♪ I know it's hard to say ♪ ♪ Ouch!

♪ ♪ I know it hurts to stay ♪ ♪ I'd ♪ ♪ Stay if I could ♪ ♪ But the universe won't let me ♪ ♪ So please be good ♪ ♪ And don't you forget me ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And although I'll be out of sight, dear ♪ ♪ Know I'll be right here ♪ ♪ Right here forever, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ And when you look to the night skies ♪ ♪ Don't think of goodbyes ♪ ♪ Think how I'm right here, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ And although I'll be out of sight, dear ♪ ♪ Know I'll be right here ♪ ♪ Right here forever, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ And when you look to the night skies ♪ ♪ Don't think of goodbyes ♪ ♪ Think how I'm right here ♪ ♪ Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever ♪ ♪ Ohh, ohh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ohh, ohh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ahh, ahh, ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ ♪ Ahh, ahh, ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ ♪ Ahh, ahh, ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah ♪ ♪ Ahh, ahh, ah-ah-ah ♪ ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ahh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] Thank you.

Good night.

Thank you.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] Joe Iconis!

[ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Indistinct conversations ]