An Evening with Andrew Lippa

Last Thursday (8/16), Northwestern University hosted An Evening with Andrew Lippa as part of their Johnny Mercer The Power of the American Song series. It's a combination of "Inside the Actors' Studio" interview and a mini concert. These things often happens in NYC but seldom here in Chicago so I made it a point to be there that night......and it turned out to be one of the more fun nights this summer.

Andrew Lippa is one of the new generation of composers that write for the theatre. I have always found his music electrifying particularly The Wild Party and his song "I'm Not Waiting" has been my favorite in Julia Murney's new CD. This night showcased Mr. Lippa's brilliance. He opened with a song that he said he has not sat down to write the music and lyrics down.....he just knows it......and if I remember right, the hook goes like this:

doo wa, doo wa, doo wa.....

doo wa, doo wa, doo wa....

I like skinny white boys and staying up late,

mac & cheese on a second date,

sitting cozy on an all night movie theatre

wonderin' if you'll brush my knee

I like heads up days and milky ways

snow that shower for days and days

I like work that pays

but I love you lovin' me.......

You see, he writes pretty catchy tunes that makes you remember them after. But what was interesting that night was learning how his creative mind works. It was interesting to discover how he stumbled into composing.....watching Dreamgirls on broadway. That was the time he knew that he wanted to do that......write music and tell a story. He said that he writes for the theatre because he likes to express a character's emotion at that particular moment. He also discussed that he usually writes the hook of the song 1st.....he said he wants to know what the song is about when he writes it. He performed songs from his musicals The Man in the Ceiling, Asphalt Beach and Raise the Roof (fr The Wild Party). He was also joined onstage by Brian D'Arcy James (Burrs in The Wild Party) who sang a song from an upcoming unnamed musical (due to still pending rights issues). Mr. Lippa's writing comes from personal experiences and observation and I must say though, that the song he performed from The Man in the Ceiling echoes the yearning of the creative spirit. Very beautiful and moving. I'm already excited to see that onstage. It was so much fun to hear the composer sing his songs........BUT what was more mesmerising is watching his fingers on the piano keyboard as he plays.......as if they were possessed....magically gliding and tinkering on the keys. Just pure brilliance!

(photo fr AndrewLippa.com)