Putting It Together

Lyrics

[FOUR CAST MEMBERS, variously] Bit by bit Putting it together Piece by piece— Only way to make a work of art Every moment makes a contribution Every little detail plays a part Having just the vision's no solution Everything depends on execution Putting it together That's what counts! Ounce by ounce Putting it together Small amounts Adding up to make a work of art First of all you need a good foundation Otherwise it's risky from the start Takes a lot of earnest conversation But without the proper preparation Having just the vision's no solution Everything depends on execution The art of making art Is putting it together Bit by bit Note by note Working on projection Lips, teeth, throat Looking for a moment to inhale Keeping the emotional connection Even when your fellow actors fail— Pointing up the subtext by inflection— Helping your director reach perfection— Even though you have a strong objection To the way she's handling the direction Art isn't easy Every minor detail Is a major decision Have to keep things in scale Have to hold to your vision Even when you're feeling apprehensive That you're looking bland and inoffensive— And you wish your wardrobe was extensive— Don't forget that spangles are expensive [JULIE] The light, luv— A little to the right, luv It isn't very bright, luv And must it be so tight, luv? He does that every night... [ALL, variously] Beat by beat Losing inhibition Head, hands, feet Trying to relax but not too much Trying to lay out the exposition But without exposing it as such Trying to perform but not audition Trying to establish recognition Trying to persuade the electrician That he should destroy the competition... Art isn't easy Every word, every line Every glance, every movement You improve and refine Then refine each improvement Bit by bit Putting it together Piece by piece Working out the vision night and day What it takes is time and perseverance Dealing with details along the way Dealing with producers' interference Waiting for the author's disappearance Filling up the holes with animation Covering the flaws in the construction Lacking any scenic ostentation (spoken) (This is not a Mackintosh production) (sung) Finding every tiny syncopation Hidden in the tiny orchestration Working for a tiny compensation Hoping for a thunderous ovation— The art of making art Is putting it together Bit by bit Part by part Fit by fit Start by start Stride by stride Kick by kick Glide by glide Shtik by shtik Side by side By side By side By side By side— And that is the state of the art!