Home Street Home: A pretty good musical despite the contrived title.

There’s a lot of whining and forced moments, but it’s worth watching.

Your showtune for July 8 is

“Nobody Told Me” – No Strings

Music and Lyrics: Richard Rodgers

The term ‘flash mob’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary on this day in 2004 to describe a random, sudden public performance by an assembly of people.  It is unlikely that a flash mob would form during this low-key number from this musical about a whirlwind romance between a fashion model and a writer in Paris.  The score is so subdued, it uses no string instruments as the title suggests.  Now that ‘flash mob’ is an official term though, you won’t be sitting on the sideline thinking, “Nobody told me what this is” if you happen to catch one.

Your showtune for July 7 is

“Hit Me with a Hot Note and Watch Me Bounce” – Various

Music: Duke Ellington   Lyrics: Don George

An exclamation of swing and scat, this song was featured in a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night entitled Play On! as well as the all-singing, all-dancing Swing!—both shows punctuated with an appropriate exclamation point.  The punchy jazz hit was also used in the musical revue Sophisticated Ladies.  It remains as popular today as its composer, Duke Ellington, who bounced back into public interest when he appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival on this day in 1956, giving a much-needed boost to his career.

Your showtune for July 6 is

“Blame It on the Summer Night” – Rags

Music: Charles Strouse   Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz

A life full of promise awaited the thousands of immigrants willing to make the journey to America in the early 20^th century, the subject of this musical.  This sultry number sung by a woman feeling gloriously liberated as she soaks in her moonlit surroundings will keep you snug and toasty all night long.  Tonight, enjoy the warmth of summer with this sizzling tune.

Your showtune for July 5 is

“Hold Me Bat Boy” – Bat Boy

Music and Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe

The audience is given exposition in this terrific opening number and prepared for the harrowing tale to follow of a child that was born half-bat and half-human.  The outrageously fun, campy musical is based on a story that ran in the tabloids, but it could actually be true.  After all, stranger things have occurred, such as the birth of Dolly the sheep on this day in 1996, the first animal to be cloned.

Your showtune for July 4 is

“Fireworks” – Do Re Mi

Music: Jule Styne   Lyrics: Betty Comden & Adolph Green

Get ready to celebrate Independence Day with this explosive number from a musical about trying to get rich in the jukebox business.  When record producer John Henry Wheeler falls for girl-next-door Tilda Mullen, their feelings erupt in a burst of energy and music that will leave you crackling like a Roman candle.

Your showtune for July 3 is

“Tom” – Hello Again

Music and Lyrics: Michael John LaChiusa

This song is in honor of prolific British playwright Tom Stoppard who was born on this day in 1937.  It is a sensuous number in which a young wife reminisces about a romantic liaison with a college boy.  Based on a German play entitled Reigen by Arthur Schnitzler, the musical focuses on various trysts throughout the 20^th century.

Your showtune for July 2 is

“Never Finish Before You Are Finished” – The Flight of the Lawnchair Man

Music and Lyrics: Robert Lindsey-Nassif

This musical is loosely based on the story of Larry Walters, a man who attached helium balloons to a lawnchair and took flight on this day in 1982.  In this zippy number, Jerry Gorman is visited by Charles Lindbergh while up in the air who encourages him to go all the way across the ocean to France.  If you need a song to help motivate you to continue a task, fly no further.

Your showtune for July 1 is

“How Do People Do This Every Day?” – The View From Here

Music and Lyrics: Timothy Huang

Now that it is halfway through the year, it is time to re-evaluate your life and your priorities.  If every day you’re asking yourself “How do people do this every day?” you may be in need of a change.  After waking up late for work, a New Yorker asks this very question as the aggravation mounts in this number from this solo show about one man’s shifting view of life and the city.

Your showtune for June 30 is

“Shall We Dance?” – The King and I

Music: Richard Rodgers   Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II

This musical about British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens and her experiences with the King of Siam while charged to educate his many children was a huge success for all involved.  Original Broadway cast member Yul Bynner was so dynamic as the king, he won a Tony Award, reprised the role on film and won an Oscar, and went on to play the role thousands more times onstage until his final performance on this day in 1985.  In this number, Anna and the king share an intimate moment when they dance together for the first and last time.