Show Synopsis:
Charity works as a taxi dancer at a dance hall in New York City and has terrible luck with men. One night she meets the famous movie star Vittorio Vidal after he has a fight with his mistress Ursula and she faints, prompting him to bring her to his apartment. Vittorio hides Charity when Ursula comes by and they reconcile. The next day, Charity meets Oscar Lindquist when they get stuck in an elevator at the YMHA, and though he's interested in her, she lies about her job and tells him she works for a bank. A few weeks later, Charity quits her job, then confesses to Oscar what she used to do. He tells her he already knows and proposes, but realizes he cannot go through the wedding knowing that Charity has been with 'other men.' He pushes Charity in the lake, but she remains hopeful about her future.
Character:
Nickie, an optimistic dancer at a dance hall in Times Square.
Song Context:
Charity tells her friends that she wasn't paid for her work at Vittorio's apartment, even though she was stuck there all night. Out of optimism and desperation, Vickie pledges to find a good life beyond the dance hall.
Fun Facts:
1. Gwen Verdon worked undercover as a dance hall hostess to learn more about Times Square dance halls and the girls who worked there.
2. This musical was based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for Nights of Cabiria.
3. Helen Gallagher originated the role of Nickie on Broadway, and she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
"There's gotta be something better than this,
There's gotta be something better to do.
And when I find me something better to do,
I'm gonna get up, I'm gonna get out
I'm gonna get up, get out and do it!
There's gotta be some respectable trade,
There's gotta be something easy to learn.
And if I find me something I halfwit can learn,
I'm gonna get up, I'm gonna get out
I'm gonna get up, get out and learn it!
All these jokers, how I hate them
With their groping, grabbing, clutching, clinching,
Strangling, handling, bumbling, pinching
There's gotta be some life cleaner than this,
There's gotta be some good reason to live.
And when I find me some kind of life I can live,
I'm gonna get up, I'm gonna get out,
I'm gonna get up, get out and live it!
Right!
I got it! I got it!
I'm gonna be a receptionist
In one of those glass office buildings
Nine to five, I'm gonna have my own typewriter,
And water cooling and office parties?
Ooooh, and coffee breaks...wow!
Then I sit on my desk on the forty-first floor
In my copy of a copy of a copy of Dior!
I'll receive VIP tycoons
And I'll point to a chair
I'll say, ?Honey, what you're waiting?
How would you like to put it down over there??
Yeah!
There's gotta be something better than this,
There's gotta be something better to do,
And when I find me something better to do,
I'm gonna get up, I'm gonna get out
I'm gonna get up, get out and do it!
I'm gonna get a year to go right to the top!
I'm gonna be a hat chat girl
At one of the East Side, high class restaurants
You know, a tray of cigarettes,
Costing 66 cents a pack and keep the change?
And all those hats coming in
Dirbies, humbirds...
Ooooh! And that cute little checked number
With that skinny brim and a feather.
Take your hat, sir!
Take your coat, sir!
Take your vest, sir!
Take your pants!
Take your socks, sir!
Take your shoes, sir!
I can hold them while you dance
Take your eyes, sir!
Take your ears, sir!
Take and see if you are free!
How about it after hours?
I'll take you and you'll take me!
There's gotta be some life cleaner than this
There's gotta be some good reason to live
And when I find me some kind of life I can live
I'm gonna get up,
I'm gonna get out,
La la la la la la ...
How wow how wow
And when I find me some kind of life I can live
I'm gonna get up,
I'm gonna get up,
I'm gonna get up, get out and live it!"