Cast, Creative Team, and Staff Playlist: The Play That Goes Wrong
In honor of our current production, The Play That Goes Wrong, the play’s cast and artistic team along with the Lyric Stage staff compiled a Spotify playlist of songs that remind us of the show. Here are some of our favorites!
1. “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John
Don’t you know I’m still standin’ better than I ever did?
Lookin’ like a true survivor, feelin’ like a little kid
And I’m still standin’ after all this time
Pickin’ up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
“I’m Still Standing” is an Elton John classic, its boppy melody aligns perfectly with the inspiring and uplifting lyrics. Suggested by Lyric Stage Director of Marketing, Heather Darrow, “I’m Still Standing” perfectly mirrors the theme of the show in standing strong in the face of adversity, and moving forward though things may go wrong.
2. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
I’m a survivor (What?)
I’m not gon’ give up (What?)
I’m not gon’ stop (What?)
I’m gon’ work harder (What?)
I’m a survivor (What?)
I’m gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin’ (What?)
Coming from Destiny Child’s third studio album of the same name, “Survivor” is a quintessential song from the early 2000s anthem rotation. Its lyrics fit perfectly with the theme of The Play That Goes Wrong. Though the actors of the Cornley University Society troupe attempt to get through to the end of the production and handle accidents that are out of their control, they do survive and persevere through all the trials and tribulations.
3. “no body, no crime (feat. HAIM)” by Taylor Swift
She says, “I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it”
I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it
I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it
No, no body, no crime
But I ain’t lettin’ up until the day I die
“no body, no crime” from Taylor Swift’s album evermore is a song whose lyrics fit with the spooky conflict of The Murder at Haversham Manor. The song is an imaginative take on a true crime story of a missing persons case after a woman is cheated on by her husband, and the pure eeriness of the song aligns with the delight that is the whodunit within a humorous play.
4. “Why Must The Show Go On” by Noel Coward
Why must the show go on?
It can’t be all that indispensable
To me, it really isn’t sensible on the whole
To play a leading role
While fighting those tears you can’t control
Why kick up your legs
When draining the dregs
Of sorrow’s bitter cup?
“We take it for granted that the show must go on, but as actors find themselves in increasingly impossible situations, risking life and limb, you do sometimes have to ask, why. Additionally, this song appears in one of my favorite movies about acting of all time: ‘A Midwinter’s Tale.’ I watch it for inspiration any time I need to recapture the magic and love of live performance.” – Margaret Clark, U/S Sandra, Annie
The structure of this song does not follow a typical song structure with verses and a repeating chorus. In fact, it resembles a monologue, a notable element in theatre. Noel Coward’s song expands on the authenticity of live performance. As Clark puts it, actors find themselves in situations out of their control, and it’s interesting to stop and ask why exactly must the show go on?
5. “Everything Goes Wrong” by Paul Westerberg
It’s easy to see that it’s all my fault
A reputation for being difficult
When everything goes wrong
Come on, little baby, don’t be long
Come on, little baby, it won’t be long
Til everything goes wrong
Everything goes on and on and on.
If there was a musical manifestation of The Play That Goes Wrong, it would be “Everything Goes Wrong” by Paul Westerberg. Suggested by Lyric Stage Executive Director Matt Chapuran, the song emulates the main concept of the play, that everything goes wrong. Actors may encounter obstacles and situations outside of their control, but life goes on. Eventually, we learn to handle these situations to the best of our abilities.