Show Synopsis:
Queenie wants to throw a party so she can embarrass her boyfriend Burrs, and invites a number of ecccentric people, including Mr. Black. Mr. Black believes Queenie needs to saved from Burrs, despite the fact he's dating Kate. Kate tries to seduce Burrs but he confesses he is upset with his relationship with Queenie and scolds Queenie for trying to seduce Mr. Black. As Burrs slips slowly into insanity and begins to hallucinate, Queenie and Mr. Black begin to have sex, but are stopped by Burrs. Black kills Burrs and flees.
Character:
Burrs, an attractive man in his early 30s who works as a vaudeville clown who wants to claim Queenie as his; he is dangerous, especially as he becomes consumed with jealousy.
Song Context:
Burrs begins to slip into insanity as he realizes that Mr. Black is in love with Queenie and it upsets him.
Fun Facts:
1. This musical is based on Joseph Moncure March's narrative poem of the same name.
2. This musical premiered Off-Broadway during the same season that another musical based on March's poem opened on Broadway.
3. Brian D'Arcy James originated the role of Burrs Off-Broadway and received a Drama Desk Award nomination for his performance.
"I've changed my mind!
Let the evening rage ahead!
By tomorrow morning we could be dead drunk
Or just dead.
If she won't talk to me, I've plenty else to do
I'll talk to you
And you and you and you and
I think we're due for a...
I think we're due for a...
I think we're due for a...
You think I'm headed for disaster.
You think I'm going up in flames.
You wanna break my fall.
You wanna stop them all from calling me names.
You'd like to chain me down in irons.
You'd like to give me your support,
But when you se me stand
Martini glass in hand,
The rescue you've got planned
Must be aborted.
Let me drown, this evening,
Let me drown.
If I'm blue, let me truly play the clown.
Let me sail,
Let me sink,
Let me teeter on the brink,
Let me drown, drown, drown, drown, drown.
You'd like to see me at confession.
You hope I learn from my mistakes.
You wanna save my soul,
But when I'm on a roll,
Lay off of the brakes.
You think that when I meet my maker,
(Hello, Maker!)
That cat'll be all dressed in red,
But every morn I pray
That on that lucky day,
I'll hear that devil say
""Son, pour it steady!""
And let me drown, this evening,
Let me drown
If I'm low, let slowly paint the town
When they ask for the roof
Let me answer ""Hundred Proof!""
Let me drown, drown, drown, drown, drown.
Let me drown in females foreign,
Let me dangle from a limb.
Teach me how to put my oar in
But don't you dare to teach me
How to swim!
Let me drown this evening, let me drown.
If you smile
For a while,
I'll wear the frown.
Let me go
Set me free
Let me at that S.O.B.
Let me drown, drown, drown, drown, drown
Let me drown, till daybreak,
Let me drown.
I'm the guy
Who will buy
Her wedding gown.
Till the dawn
Breaks the spell,
All the world
Can got to hell.
Strap me in,
Let me ride
Till I'm on the other side.
Let me rock,
Let me roll,
Let me sacrifice my soul!
Let me drown, let me drown!"