'Suddenly Seymour,' Blurring Reality and Fiction, and The Art of a Good Cry
This NPR Tiny Desk performance from 'The Little Shop of Horrors' never fails to elicit happy tears.
In the past few years, I've developed a morning ritual that includes coffee, playing Wordle (and now Connections)1, and reading the news before I start working. And more often than not, I choose to play NPR Tiny Desk concerts to accompany me during this time.
At this point I have no doubt had over a hundred Tiny Desk concerts start my mornings. Sometimes I choose them, and sometimes I let the “recommended” tab choose it for me. But only one of them makes me cry every single time. It's a performance of “Suddenly Seymour” from the 2022 Off-Broadway cast of The Little Shop of Horrors.
It has a beautiful blurring of reality and fiction, when the emotion on display is not just from performing the song in character, but something personal expressed as well.
I can see it so clearly even without watching it: the actress' black-and-white dress, the tissue balled up in her fist and her nose slightly red. Tammy Blanchard plays Audrey, and even before she joins Conrad Ricamora in performing her part of the song, her emotions are trembly and raw. And while this could just be a very lived-in performance, for me there are glimmers of something real shining through too.
Audrey's song is one of self-actualization and finding connection after a traumatic past. And in a lovely way, the actor’s feelings about what she is singing seems to co-exist alongside the character. Each time I hear the opening notes of “Suddenly Seymour,” I see Blanchard’s face and immediately I’m a puddle.
What I particularly enjoy about musical theater casts doing Tiny Desk shows is that it gives them the rare opportunity to react to each other's performances. As Blanchard begins singing, her co-star Christian Borle2 is behind her, listening and smiling, as if he can sense that blurring and is moved by it too.
By the end of the song, Audrey is jubilant and the actress has disappeared back into the role. But I can’t ever forget the trembling start, genuine and tender. If I need a good cry that still makes me happy after wiping my tears away, this is what I turn to.
The entire Tiny Desk performance is worth checking out—incredibly joyful with a stellar cast (the harmonies!!!) and of course incredible songs too.
Reading rec
Oh goodness, this essay by Emma Copley Eisenberg. It’s going to be my “break glass in case of emergency” when spiraling from author self-doubt.
But this piece is relatable to any person who struggles to believe in themselves. Eisenberg found solace in watching a documentary about Alanis Morrissette, and what she shares is by far some of the best writing on I’ve read on the topic of “reviews and feedback and belief.”
Also, Emma Copley Eisenberg has a new novel coming out in May called Housemates and after reading this piece you will want to preorder it, and you can do so here.
This week’s fun fact
I can't think of a more collaborative community than those involved in theater. Not only is there is no "I" in Broadway, but also...
There is no 'I' on Broadway. Specifically, most Broadway theaters have rows A-H and J-Z, but there is no letter I.
The reason? To ensure ticketholders won’t confuse the letter "l" for "1" and assume they have front row seats. Also, some theaters apparently forego “O” because it can also be confused with “Q” and “0” (zero).
Book stuff
The e-book of my debut novel Dava Shastri’s Last Day is currently on sale for $2.99. TIME called it “a hilarious and heartfelt narrative about legacy, power and privacy.”
And my second novel, Advika and the Hollywood Wives, is now out in paperback, and both my dad and Taylor Jenkins Reid called it a “page-turner.”
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful week!
In recent weeks this has occasionally expanded to two crossword puzzles and the movie trivia game Cinematrix. It’s a wonder I get anything done.
Any time I see Christian Borle I always think of Smash, one of the weirdest and most fun TV series I’ve ever experienced. Amazing songs, befuddling storylines and a killer cast. Now that I think of it, at some point I’ll highlight a Smash song in a future installment. +