Jen wanted a song to sing to her diminutive husband, Bill,
during their wedding reception. Bill had been on Broadway
in "Beauty and the Beast" for several years before
they met online, and he was fond of joking about portraying
cutlery onstage on a nightly basis. We thought it would be
fun to write a brand new version of the title song. Jen loved
the idea, and after a riot of a collaboration, this is what
we came up with:
sung by
Jennifer Hope Wills, who starred in the Broadway productions
of The Phantom of the Opera as Christine and Beauty
& the Beast as Belle.
TALE AS
OLD AS TIME
TRUE AS IT CAN BE
LOOKING FOR A FRIEND
SO I CLICKED ON "SEND"
ALL UNWITTINGLY
FOUND
A BROADWAY GUY
SMALL, TO SAY THE LEAST
LITTLE DID I KNOW
HIS ONLY BROADWAY SHOW:
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
PRETTY
SOON I FELL
I WAS PAST THE MOON
THOUGH IT WAS A TEST
PICTURING HIM DRESSED
AS A FORK OR SPOON
SUDDENLY
IN LOVE
SUDDENLY RELEASED
LOOK AT HIM AND ME
NOT A STRETCH WE'D BE
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
DADDY
LOVES HIM, TOO
FINALLY FOUND A JEW
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
"The
subject of our wedding never comes up without someone mentioning
our Resonance song. Our bandleader, the caterer, no one had
ever heard a room explode with that kind of applause! We still
watch the video and laugh! Thank you Resonance!"
- Jen F.
ALEX'S BAR MITZVAH CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Carol's son's Bar Mitzvah was rapidly approaching and she wanted
his candle lighting ceremony to be something extra special.
We met with Alex who, with his great sense of humor and terriffic
voice, worked with us to come up with thirteen mini-parodies,
which we arranged into a medley for him to perform. Here are
a few of our favorites:
#1. JACKIE
(to
the tune of "Give My Regards To Broadway")
TIME
TO BRING UP AUNT JACKIE
WE LOVE HER MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY
WHO ELSE WOULD SCHLEP OUT FROM MANHATTAN
JUST TO BABY SIT ALL DAY
LUCKY WE HAVE AUNT JACKIE
THE PICTURES THAT SHE TAKES ARE GRAND
SHE'LL ALWAYS BE THERE
WHEN WE NEED HER
WITH A TIC-TAC IN HER HAND
#2. MATTHEW
AND DANIEL
(to
the tune of "Hello Dolly")
HELLO
MATTHEW, WELL HELLO DANIEL
NOW I'VE GOT A CANDLE BOTH OF YOU CAN SHARE
JUST YOU WAIT, MATTHEW, IT'S YOUR FATE DANIEL
THAT IN NO TIME THEY'LL BE LIFTING YOU GUYS IN THAT CHAIR
SO NOW YOU'RE HERE MATTHEW, HAVE NO FEAR DANIEL
FOR I'LL GIVE YOU BOTH A CHANCE TO LIGHT THE FLAME
SO
YOU'RE THE BEST BROTHERS
BETTER THAN ALL THE REST, BROTHERS
TORTURING ME NON STOP’S YOUR CLAIM TO FAME
#3. MOM
& DAD
(to
the tune of "If They Could See Me Now")
I BET
THEY'RE BLOWN AWAY
THAT MOM AND DAD OF MINE
I ACED ALL OF MY PRAYERS
AND DRANK MY KOSHER WINE
I HOPE YOU'RE PROUD OF ME
' CAUSE I'M PROUD OF YOU
LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT TO MY GROWN UP DEBUT
WELL, I'M THE FIRST TO SAY:
I GOT THE BEST IN YOU
YOU ALWAYS LED THE WAY
NOW I'M A FULL FLEDGED JEW!
YES I ALWAYS KNEW I HAD
THE GREATEST PARENTS
COME ON UP HERE
MOM AND DAD!
"My
son thoroughly enjoyed his experience working with the wonderfully
creative, fun people at Resonance. In preparing for his Bar
Mitzvah candle lighting, the support they gave him in organizing
and writing his 'tributes' was such a help to him and the
candle lighting ceremony was the highlight of the evening!
He felt great performing them - and the people who were called
up and honored felt so special. Many thanks Resonance for
a job very well done!" Carol P. - Monmouth County,
New Jersey
MEG
AND SCOTT'S WEDDING SONG
Meg was always on the move, never afraid, always flying off
in search of new experiences. She was a sky diver, a rock
climber, a race car driver. If it was dangerous, she tried
it. When she met Scott, something changed for her. After years
of flying through life, she was ready to get married, ready
to plant her feet firmly, happily on the ground. "When
You Land" was written for their wedding ceremony.
sung by Gilles Chiasson, who appeared on Broadway
in the original casts of RENT, SCARLET PIMPERNEL, CIVIL WAR
and LA BOHEME
Flying
through life and looking for love,
But people look so far away from above.
So you risk flying lower,
A message you send
Received by a lover or maybe a friend.
Flying
through life on a wing and a prayer.
Hoping one day when you're finally there
The puzzle reveals what you already knew,
But there's too many pieces and not enough glue.
So, you
land.
At the end of the day, you land,
And then you understand
What the flying was for
And what's lying in store
When you land,
When you land.
Flying
through life on your sweet lover's wing
Reveals a view of what loving can bring,
Of building a home and a family for life,
Of the sparks that can fly between husband and wife
When you
land.
In the vow you make, you land.
That's how you understand.
In this life, you live to land.
In the love you give, you land,
And now you understand
What the flying was for
And what's lying in store
When you land,
When you land.
At the
end of the day, you land.
When you're ready to stay, you land.
When you've found your way, you land.
"The
song Resonance wrote for Scott and me was a most touching
and fitting song for our wedding. Resonance has the ability
to see a relationship, friendship and union from a romantic
and poignant point of view. There were copies of the song
handed out to all our guests to take home and many people
have said they loved the song. When we had our wedding video
made, we used the recording of WHEN YOU LAND. It is a beautiful
way to remember our wedding and our life together. I should
also add that it was the most special part of our ceremony;
it made the entire event feel personal and like home. Scott
and I think that was the best of all of our wedding gifts."
Meg
P. - Old Greenwich, Connecticut
MEA'S
LULLABY
Shortly after Mea was born, it became apparent that she had
difficulty going to sleep at night. Her parents weren't sure
if she was afraid of what she might find there in the dark
or jealous of the goings on she was leaving behind downstairs.
Mea's dillemma inspired "Set Sail, Little Dreamboat."
sung
by Meg Tolin, who appeared on Broadway in GRAND HOTEL, and
starred in the Broadway revivals of MY FAIR LADY and SHOWBOAT
SET SAIL,
LITTLE DREAMBOAT.
SLEEP, LITTLE ONE
AND FLOAT TO A WORLD
WHERE THERE'S NOTHING BUT
SUNSHINE AND DAFFODILS,
POPCORN AND SNOW.
SLEEP FOR A WHILE.
LET YOURSELF GO.
SET SAIL,
LITTLE DREAMBOAT,
THERE'S SO MUCH TO LEARN.
HAVE NO FEAR
FOR I'LL BE HERE
THE MOMENT YOU RETURN.
"Gilles
wrote a beautiful lullaby for our daughter, Mea. We loved
singing it to her every night was it is "her" song.
My folks liked it so much they ended up learning it themselves
with the help of a copy of the sheet music he provided. We
framed the original. Mea went to sleep with that song for
years, still knows all of the words, and is proud she has
a song that is for her alone. It was a gift of great meaning,
which continues on." Ann
Marie C. - Tucson, Arizona
AUNT
NONIE'S 90th BIRTHDAY
Charles
contacted us with a very unique request. His Aunt Nora was
about to celebrate her 90th birthday surrounded by family
and friends at a big party in her honor. Now in her "golden
years", Nora had taken to referring to herself, and always
with a mischievous smile, as the "old hag". Charles
came to us in hopes of finding a gift that would capture both
Nonie's sense of humor and her forever young attitude. We
took a risk and came up with a song called THAT OLD HAG. Here
it is:
sung
by Gilles Chiasson, who appeared on Broadway in the original
casts of RENT, SCARLET PIMPERNEL, CIVIL WAR and LA BOHEME
THAT OLD
HAG
LIVED DOWN IN TEXAS IN A SHADY TOWN WITH A SHADY OLD NAME.
SHE GAVE HERSELF TO GOD AND FAMILY,
FIGURED ONE DAY SHE'D GET BACK THE SAME.
SHE RAISED HER CHILDREN, EVERY ONE,
WITH A GOOD STRONG HAND AND PLENTY OF SUN.
THEY GREW UP ALL AROUND HER LIKE HER WORK WAS DONE.
AND SHE
SAID, "NO, I AIN'T GOIN' QUIET INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT.
GONNA FIND MYSELF AN OUTFIT.
GONNA PUT UP A FIGHT.
I'M GONNA TAKE EACH BREATH LIKE IT'S MY FIRST.
YEAH, I MAY BE AN OLD HAG, BUT IT COULD BE WORSE:
I COULD BE BORING."
THAT OLD
HAG
WENT OUT INTO THE WORLD
SAILING EAST AND WEST, TRAVELING UP AND DOWN,
AND ALWAYS THERE WERE LESSONS LEARNED,
FINDING NEW PERSPECTIVE ON A TEXAS TOWN.
SHE WAS BLESSED, THAT MUCH IS PLAIN, WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
TO KEEP HER SANE.
THEIR LOVE FELL ALL AROUND HER LIKE A WARM SUMMER RAIN.
AND SHE
SAID, "NO, I AIN'T GOIN' QUIET INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT.
GONNA FIND MYSELF AN OUTFIT.
GONNA PUT UP A FIGHT.
I'M GONNA TAKE EACH BREATH LIKE IT'S MY FIRST.
YEAH, I MAY BE AN OLD HAG, BUT IT COULD BE WORSE:
I COULD BE CONVENTIONAL."
THAT OLD
HAG TOOK A LOOK AT HER LIFE,
SHE WAS MOTHER, DAUGHTER, SISTER AND WIFE,
MORE TO SEE THAT HER EYES COULD TAKE,
SO MUCH LOVE HER HEART MIGHT BREAK.
AND SHE
SAID, "AGE IS A MYTH THAT WE'VE BEEN SOLD.
YOUR STORY AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S ALL BEEN TOLD.
YOU GET BACK WHAT YOU GIVE A THOUSANDFOLD.
I'M TOO BUSY LIVIN' TO BE FEELIN' OLD.
I'M TOO BUSY LIVIN'..."
"I
could hardly wait to send you this note after the amazing
reception your song got when it was played for my aunt’s
90th birthday. As a surprise, with a crowd of about 125 people,
I played the song. She was so excited and said over and over
again how much she loved it and how much it meant to have
a song “just for her”. Beyond her excitement,
I was surprised at the reception from the crowd. Thanks to
the questions you asked and the research you did, everyone
knew it was written for and about my aunt. Your service is
wonderful!" Charles
L. - Dallas, TX
SUSAN'S
FORTIETH BIRTHDAY INVITATION
Robin approached us a few months before her sister's fortieth
birthday. She had a unique celebration planned and wanted
a unique invitation to set the tone. After learning all about
Susan in our interview with Robin, this poem virtually wrote
itself.
"Once
upon a time," of course, was Cinderella's start
But here's a story that's a sort of fairytale at heart
She grew
up bright and beautiful but who could have foreseen
That she would meet her prince before she'd even reached sixteen
She wed
the prince, and passed the bar, then made a home (or five)
No matter what the task at hand she'd shift to overdrive
When children
came testosterone would overtake her life
And yet she triumphed brilliantly as mother and as wife
Our sister's
always there for us on that we can depend
There to be compatriot or confidant or friend
So join
us to be there for her this coming sixth of May
No gym time, no novellas, just a truly special day
A day
to share this one-time-only milestone on cue
Her happ'ly ever fortieth - We hope you'll be there, too.
Who'd
have thought an invitation of all things could make you cry?
When I first read what RESONANCE had come up (with my sister's
help), I just lost it. It was creative, sweet, unique, and
UTTERLY me!! This writer had never met me, and yet he captured
me beautifully! A lot of my friends have had fortieth birthday
parties, but no one's invite got the kind of reaction mine
did. Now it's framed and hanging in our front hall -- Every
day it reminds me of one of the best days of my life and my
sister who made it happen. Thank you Resonance! You're one
of a kind! - Susan, Short Hills
JASON & JODI'S ANNIVERSARY SONG
"Pack for the weekend, get in the car, and put this CD
on", Jodi's mom told her. "No questions, no arguments..
Just head south!" Mom had organized a surprise tenth wedding
anniversary NYC weekend for her forever-busy daughter and son
in law. A night at the Essex house, a babysitter for the kids,
and the restaurant of their choice. Never one to miss an opportunity
to be creative, she contacted us to write a song Jason &
Jodi could pop into their CD player as they drove toward their
surprise anniversary weekend in Manhattan. It was Christmas
time and "Frosty The Snow Man" fit perfectly.
sung by Chris Roberts, who appeared on Broadway in the orIginal
cast of CIVIL WAR
JASON AND JODI
HAD A BUSY SUMMER TIME
WITH A BRAND NEW PLACE
AND A BRAND NEW FACE
CELEBRATIONS WEREN'T PRIME
JASON
AND JODI
FIN'LLY REACHED THE BIG ONE-OH
THO' YOU'VE BEEN ROUTINE
OVER SEVENTEEN
IT'S A RITE YOU CAN'T FORGO
AND THO
SHE TRIES TO ROLL HER EYES
"OH, MOM, IT'S NO BIG DEAL"
YOU'LL GO GOURMET TO MARK YOUR DAY
A NEW YORK-TASTIC MEAL! CAUSE
JASON
AND JODI
GET AN ESSEX NIGHT ON MOM
JUST SOME TIME TO ROAM
AND THE KIDS STAY HOME
GO RELIVE YOUR SENIOR PROM!
RECALL
THE DAY AT OLD J.A.
YOU MET AND IT WAS FATE
D.C., MANHATTAN, STAMFORD AND
THE BRAND NEW MORTGAGE RATE (OY!)
JASON
AND JODI
YOU'RE A PAIR THAT HAS NO PEER
YOU CAN CHOOSE THE PLACE
WHERE YOU'LL STUFF YOUR FACE
IT'S OCCASION NOW TO CHEER
YOU'RE
THE COUPLE OF THE YEAR!
"My
husband and I could not be more surprised when we got into
our car and played the CD. It was so creative and so clever.
What a unique and fun way to surprise someone. It's also a
fabulous keepsake from our weekend away. Whenever I want to
put a smile on my face, I play it! I can't recommend RESONANCE
highly enough. The songs and poems they write are so smart,
witty and extremely personal to the individual or couple.
You have a totally original piece to last a lifetime - you've
gotta do it!" Jodi
S. - Norwalk, Connecticut
