Show Synopsis:
This song-and-monologue cycle is about loss as a consequence of AIDS.
Character:
Angela and Judith
Song Context:
The monologue that precedes this song is from the viewpoint of a man who has been diagnosed with AIDS and goes back to his hometown for his high school reunion. Despite his despair and sadness, and the insults and threats from less tolerable people in the town, he goes to his reunion and is met with hugs and kindness from his former classmates.
Fun Facts:
1. This song cycle was inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and Edgar Lee Masters? early twentieth century collection of poems Spoon River Anthology, and includes monologues along with the music selections.
2. Bill Russell, who had the idea of this production and collaborated on it with composer Janet Hood, said in a late 1990s interview with Aisle Say that "It's so easy now that people aren't dying every week and we aren't going to funerals every week, it's so easy to push that way in the background I really think it's important to touch base with that. It's one of the shaping events of our lives. We've been through such devastating loss that's never going to be completely dealt with?and I think it's healthy for us to go there once in a while. So I hope this can be a vehicle for people to do that. It's about loss, and that's universal, whether it's from AIDS or not."
"ANGELA
If we can learn any lesson
From these aches of grief,
It?s to live for what we have now.
JUDITH
If there?s a path to confront
Or a road to relief,
I know you?ll take me there somehow.
BOTH
Finding this friendship
Has restored my belief
In the joy that faith will allow.
So let?s grab the moment,
No reason to wait,
And let?s take a moment to
JUDITH
Celebrate!
ANGELA
Celebrate
JUDITH
You gotta celebrate
ANGELA
[spoken]
?Scuse the heck out of me!
[sung]
Celebrate!
JUDITH
Celebrate when the winter turns to spring,
Celebrate!
ANGELA
Celebrate the life the rain will bring!
BOTH
Appreciate the season that we share.
Celebrate each moment
?Cuz each one with you is rare!
ANGELA
[spoken]
Now listen to this --
JUDITH
[spoken]
I?m listening!
ANGELA
We have weathered the storms,
We have met the test.
JUDITH
[spoken]
You got that right!
[sung]
We have seen the worst,
We have known the best,
BOTH
Found great friends to share the weight,
Let?s take this moment to celebrate.
ANGELA
Celebrate that morning follows night,
Celebrate!
JUDITH
Celebrate that wounded birds take flight!
BOTH
Commemorate the love of those who?ve gone,
Celebrate this moment and that life is going on.
Celebrate, celebrate that winter turns to spring
Celebrate, celebrate the life that rain will bring!
ANGELA
Appreciate!
JUDITH
Appreciate!
BOTH
The seasons that we share.
JUDITH
Celebrate with music!
ANGELA
Celebrate with laughter!
BOTH
Celebrate each moment.
ANGELA
Feels so good to celebrate!
BOTH
Celebrate!
Celebrate!
Celebrate!"