Show Synopsis:
In this vaudevillian production, a family moves through American history, constantly unsatisfied with their economic status and the realities of life around them.
Character:
Susan Cooper, an unsatisfied young wife and mother who wants the usual ideals - wealth, family, and romantic satisfaction- but can never seem to find them.
Song Context:
Susan performs the role of a woman who wants the perfect man for comic effect in a revue satirizing the foolish perceptions of love and marriage that society has.
Fun Facts:
1. Nanette Fabray originated the role of Susan on Broadway and was given a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance.
2. This song is a parody of a torch song, contrasting Susan's earlier ruminations about her marriage to Sam and showcasing the central theme of the show-within-the-show, that illusions and fantasies can help people survive in the world.
3. Alan Jay Lerner, who wrote the book and lyrics for Love Life, described the musical as "a cavalcade of American marriage."
"He will be the perfect dream of manhood.
He?ll be everything and more a man should.
Tender as a flower, he?ll look like Tyrone Power.
That?s all I want ? a Mr. Right.
The year we wed,
He?ll make a million and retire.
Then we?ll lead a life of mad desire.
He?ll be part of me, I?ll be part of he.
It will be love at first sight
The day I find Mr. Right.
He?ll follow me and wallow me
And sister me and brother me
And in his arms he?ll crush me
And constantly mush me
And he won?t mind if I spend all his earnings
?Long as I?m releasing all my yearnings.
He will live for me, I will live for he,
And we will live every night
The day I find Mr. Right.
Oh, the moment that we meet I?ll tumble
Ah, I?ll see the man, I?ll start to rumble
He will say ?hello? and boom!
Inside, I?ll know
At last, I?ve found my Mr. Right
He?ll take my hand
And bing!
My every thought will scatter
Then my heart will give a zing and shatter.
Bells will start to ring -
Ting-a-ling-a-ling -
And we?ll get married that night ? bing!
And I will have Mr. Right.
He?ll make not one mistake ? he?ll be solid gold,
Just like I dreamed he always would.
Not ever sweet or arty but strong and fullhearty.
One look and I?ll feel like I?m in a cocktail shaker
For I?ll know that I have met my maker.
He?ll have no match, so on him I?ll latch
The moment he is in sight -
The handy dandy dreamy screamy man
Mr. Right!"