Program Notes (for songs from musicals) - 10:30am recital
“Castle on a Cloud" from Les Miserables
Little Cosette is dreaming of a better life instead of the one she has with the evil Thenardiers. She also dreams of a "lady all in white" which implies the memory of her mother, Fantine.
"A Change in Me” from Beauty and the Beast:
Belle explains that she has changed for the better during her time with the Beast.
"How Far I'll Go" from Moana
Moana laments her life and dreams of something beyond her father's expectations. It's a song about inner strength and independence.
"Part of Your World" from The Little Mermaid
Ariel has collected many interesting artifacts from the human world and keeps them hidden in a secret treasure trove. As she admires her collection, she dreams of all the wonderful things she could see and experience in the world above the sea.
"Hopelessly Devoted to You" from Grease
Danny Zuko downplays his feelings for Sandy in front of his friends, but despite his rudeness, Sandy realizes she still has feelings for Danny, and is "hopelessly devoted" to him.
"Hiding in Your Hands" from Dear Evan Hansen (bonus track)
This song was part of the original compositon of the musical, but was cut and replaced with the well-known song, "Requiem," for the final product. This song "provides a poignant exploration of the internal struggles individuals face when trying to maintain a facade of happiness, while concealing their true feelings and vulnerabilities. The song resonates with anyone who has ever felt the pressure to conform, pretending to be fine when, in reality, they are anything but. It serves as a reminder that true understanding and connection come from embracing our authentic selves, rather than hiding behind a false image." - Songtell
"The Winner Takes It All" from Mamma Mia
The song is a ballad about the difficulty of breaking up with someone, where one person is finding it hard to let go while the other moves on. In the musical, Donna sings this as a way of coping as she deals with the fact that her daughter has three potential fathers, all while still having feelings for Sam.
"I See the Light" from Tangled
Rapunzel has dreamed of seeing the floating lanterns her whole life. She finally experiences them, and "sees the light," but this song also represents her love for Flynn. Kelsey and her dad, Ryan, have sung this song together since she was a little girl, so it holds significance in their father/daughter relationship and they wanted to share it together today.
"On My Own" from Les Miserables
Eponine is walking the streets of Paris and reflects on her love for Marius, realizing that he will go on without her and there is no hope for them to be together.
"Stepsister's Lament" from Cinderella
Cinderella's stepsisters gripe about Cinderella and the Prince, and WHY would he want a girl like her when he could have someone like them?
"No One Else" from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812:
This Broadway musical drew inspiration from Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” and tells the story of Natasha, who falls for the handsome Anatole while her betrothed, Audrey, is off to war. Before her indiscretion, she visits her future in-laws and the visit does not go well. In this beautiful love song, Natasha expresses how much she misses Audrey while he is away.
"The Power Princess Medley" was put together in 2017 by three of Broadway's leading ladies, Taylor Louderman, Laura Osnes, and Desi Oakley for a Broadway Princess Party in NYC. This fun medley contains quotes from several famous Disney princess songs over the last 50+ years.
Program Notes (for songs from musicals/operas) - 3:00 Recital
"When He Sees Me”, from Waitress
Dawn is a timid and somewhat shy person, but she finally opens up to her friends, explaining that she’s scared of love and everything that could go wrong. In the end she comes to a realization that she does want love, despite of what could go wrong.
"Flowers" from Hadestown
Euridice expresses regret and reflects on her past decisions and their consequences. The metaphor of flowers is used throughout the song to represent beauty, transience, and decay, mirroring Eurydice's own experiences and emotions.
"So Long, Dearie" from Hello Dolly
Dolly has had enough of Horace's curmudgeonly behavior and tells him she is going to live it up, regardless of his attitude.
"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from Phantom of the Opera
Christine, mourning her father's death, even seven years after his passing, is walking through the graveyard, "wishing he was somehow here again."
"Stars" from Les Miserables
The legalistic and authoritarian, Javert, is seeking to arrest Jean Valjean. In this song, he uses stars as a metaphor for the order and stability he has committed his life to.
"Waving Through a Window" from Dear Evan Hansen
This song portrays the main character, Evan Hansen, as a teenager who is always alone. He wonders how long he is going to spend his life trapped inside the window that society has made for him.
"Moscow" from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
This song is from the first act of the show which introduces the characters of Natasha, Sonya, and Marya. Sonya and Natasha are being welcomed to the home of Marya (Natasha's Godmother) who is explaining how she will guide the two through the wild city of Moscow while showing off oa bit of her diva nature. - program note by Fenix Pinilla
"Evermore" from Beauty and the Beast
The Beast releases Belle from the castle so she can be with her father. Despite knowing that freeing her pulls him further away from becoming human again, he recognizes he loves Belle and will sacrifice his own happiness for hers.
"No One Else" from Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
This Broadway musical drew inspiration from Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” and tells the story of Natasha, who falls for the handsome Anatole while her betrothed, Audrey, is off to war. Before her indiscretion, she visits her future in-laws and the visit does not go well. In this beautiful love song, Natasha expresses how much she misses Audrey while he is away.
"Little Miss Perfect" from Tapes: A Song Cycle
Little Miss Perfect is about a closeted lesbian who is denying her feelings for another girl. While we learn about who she is as a person throughout the song, she ultimately pushes away her queerness and goes deeper into the closet by the end, giving up on truly being herself.
"Blue Horizon" from the album "Out of Our Heads"
“Out of Our Heads” is a “compilation of self contained songs that blur the lines between musical theater and pop.” “Blue Horizon” conveys the joy and excitement of leaving a place one is used to and embarking on a new adventure. - program note by Juliette Molina
"She Used to Be Mine" from Waitress the Musical
Based on the movie of the same name, the Broadway musical “Waitress” follows the story of Jenna, a young waitress at a pie shop. After becoming unexpectedly pregnant and abused by her husband, resulting in her brokenness, Jenna reminisces about her life and her choices.
"A Starry Night" from Starry the musical, is named after the painting by Vincent Van Gogh.
Vincent experiences an epiphany at the sight of a sky full of stars, filling him with hope and a sense of freedom. THIS is how he wants to be remembered, and he hopes that a painting of that moment will ignite those same feelings into those who view it. - program note by Fenix Pinilla
"What Baking Can Do" from Waitress the Musical
Jenna finds respite and escape in baking, something she learned from her mother. Both Jenna and her mother were in loveless marriages, and baking pies was a way to avoid their difficulties.
"You'll Be Back" from Hamilton
King George III is dismayed by the War of Independence and is convinced the colonists will come crawling back to him and their homeland once the rebellion is defeated. He warns them not to betray his "love" for them.
"Sull'aria" from Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)
This duet from Act 3 involves Countess Rosina Almaviva who is dictacting a letter to her maid, Susanna. The Countess's philandering husband has his eye for the young Susanna, so both women plot to set a trap for the Count, exposing his infidelity.