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news poetry up in the air

a song for one more day

as another poem on this site says, we’ve pretty much opted out of christmas … but the holiday is unavoidable and a new year does lead to reflection …

so, in the spirit of the season, i’m posting a buddhist inspired lyric … this is from “up in the air” — a musical adaptation of a japanese fable about a tree-climbing frog i wrote with composer henry krieger … the show was conceived by amon miyamoto and premiered at the kennedy center in d.c. last year …

this is the lyric to the closing song … boonah, the tree-climbing frog, has returned after a harrowing experience where he nearly died … having visited thailand earlier this year, i’ve only grown more interested in buddhism — a religion which seems to celebrate life rather than being obsessed with death …

i have been
on top of the world
been as low as i could go
i have seen
the clouds as they swirled
part and show the sun aglow
i have felt
the rhythm of life
heard the silence of decay
i hope to find
the music inside
a song for one more day
who can know
what tomorrow might be bringing?
nobody can say
joy or woe
i will keep on singing
a song for one more day
i have felt
the angel of death
pass me by as i lay low
i’ve been spared
while holding my breath
from the wrath of my worst foe
i have known
great loss and great grief
when my loved ones could not stay
yet i’ve found
the gift of relief
a song for one more day
if you fear
that your ending might be nearing
don’t cry in dismay
shed a tear
then rejoice in hearing
a song for one more day
life is within and around
comprised of all
who’ve gone before
we may not win or astound
but we’re all part
of evermore
who can know
what tomorrow might be bringing?
nobody can say
joy or woe
i will keep on singing
a song for one more day
sing a song for one more day

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bruce's vlogs up in the air

bruce’s vlog on “up in the air”

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photos up in the air

d.c. opening night

photos from opening night in d.c.:  kennedy center opening

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photos up in the air

Up in the Air photos

Lillias White

some of carol pratt’s wonderful photos of “up in the air” at the kennedy center are now posted here:  kennedy center photos

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productions up in the air

UP IN THE AIR cast

i’m happy to announce the extraordinary cast for

UP IN THE AIR:

The Story of Boonah, the Tree-Climbing Frog

which will have its world premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. February 7-10 as part of their Japan Festival …

the project was conceived by director Amon Miyamoto (Pacific Overtures at Studio 54) and is an adaptation of a well-loved story by Mizukami Tsutomu, music by Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls, Side Show) and book and lyrics by Bill Russell (Side Show) here’s a link to the Kennedy Center website info about the show and to purchase tickets (there are only 4 performances open to the public and 2 of those are already sold out):  http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=XIJFC

here’s the cast in alphabetical order (unless otherwise noted, all credits are Broadway):  Jill Abramovitz (Martin Short:  Fame Becomes Me), Stanley Bahorek (Spelling Bee), Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd), Jonathan Hammond (The Light in the Piazza, national tour), Deborah Lew (Beauty and the Beast), David McDonald (Mamma Mia),  Lillias White (The Life — Tony Award), Michael Leon Wooley (Dreamgirls, film) …

creative staff includes:  Aaron Fischer (musical direction), Sam Davis (orchestrations), Jesse Vargas (vocal arrangements) Darren Lee (choreography), Neil Patel (sets), Don Holder (lighting), Angela Wendt (costumes), Haruka Fujii (percussion), Alan Muraoka (assistant director) and Jason Daunter (stage manager), Telsey & Co. (Rachel Hoffman, Joe Longworth, casting)  Gorgeous Entertainment (Michael Wolk, Kumiko Yoshii) is producing in association with the Kennedy Center …