A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

It's Only Life

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Comedy  /  2w, 3m

Music and Lyrics by John Bucchino
Conceived By Daisy Prince and John Bucchino

A musical revue about longing, fulfillment, loss, triumph and – ultimately – wisdom.

It's Only Life

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2008 Ovation Awards, Best Book/Lyrics/Music for an Original Musical
It's Only Life

Details

Summary
John Bucchino’s songs have been recorded and performed by Judy Collins, Patti LuPone, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra MacDonald, Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel and many others. Conceived by director Daisy Prince and the award-winning songwriter, It's Only Life is a musical revue about longing, fulfillment, loss, triumph and, ultimately, wisdom. According to The New York Times, Bucchino's “flowing, finely made piano ballads describe an urban life in which relationships come and go in cycles of yearning, fulfillment, heartbreak and healing” – where romantic love is anticipated with “high expectations, high anxiety and open hearts.” The show won LA's 2008 Ovation Award for Best Book/Lyrics/Music for an Original Musical.
History
It’s Only Life was developed at Musical Theatre Works and had a workshop production as part of 2004’s first Summer Play Festival in New York City. In late January of 2006, the show was performed in a concert version as part of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series, featuring Brooks Ashmanskas, Andrea Burns, Gavin Creel, Jessica Molaskey and Billy Porter. In the Summer of 2008, a more fully realized version of the show (newly orchestrated by Bruce Coughlin for 5 musicians) had a run at the Rubicon Theatre in California and was awarded the Los Angeles Ovation Award for best book, music and lyrics of a new musical.
Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period Contemporary, Present Day
  • Setting A simple unit set.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A truly gorgeous and thrilling evening of musical theater.” – Stage Scene LA

“A new American pop master... Bucchino merges the artfulness and sophistication of America’s master songwriters (Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, George Gershwin) with the contemporary style and plaintive folk quality of the top singer/songwriters who emerged in the 1970s, such as Carole King and James Taylor.” – The Houston Chronicle

“For lovers of musical theatre, It's Only Life is one of the rare genuine must-sees. And if you're someone who has been thinking about giving musical theatre a shot, you'd be hard pressed to find a better starting point.” – Stage Whispers

“Mr. Bucchino occupies a special niche. His flowing, finely made piano ballads describe an urban single life in which relationships come and go... with high expectations, high anxiety and open hearts.” – The New York Times

“Brimming with intimate character portraits, sophisticated intelligence and emotional sincerity, the impeccably crafted songs of John Bucchino... mine deep revelations about idealism, disillusionment and their ultimate reconciliation. – The Los Angeles Times

“Mr. Bucchino possesses a singular voice and an absolute integrity of expression.” – The New York Times

“If Tennessee Williams was alive and writing tunes he'd be John Bucchino.” – Rex Reed, The New York Observer

“At his frequent, superlative best he can be as moody as Schubert or jazzed as Bernstein.” – The Village Voice

“An original, inspirational and distinctive voice.” – The Sydney Morning Herald

“John Bucchino’s songs are the continuation in the evolution of classic American popular song.  He is a man of great talent.” – Michael Feinstein

“As its title suggests, Bucchino’s revue takes a look at those moments when life throws us a curve. His lyrics are smart and intelligent (not always the same thing) and his melodies complex yet accessible and yes, even hummable. Performed by a sterling cast imported from New York and directed by the brilliant Daisy Prince, It's Only Life provides a truly gorgeous and thrilling evening of musical theater.” – Stage Scene LA

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Jazz, Contemporary Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Minimal
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Piano Only
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

John Bucchino

John Bucchino

John Bucchino's songs have been performed and recorded by renowned pop (Art Garfunkel, Judy Collins), theatre (Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, Kristin Chenoweth, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald), cabaret (Barbara Cook, Michael Feinstein), and classical (Yo-Yo Ma, Deborah V ...

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Daisy Prince

Daisy Prince

Director Daisy Prince’s previous work includes direction of both original productions of Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS and SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD in N.Y. She also directed IT’S ONLY LIFE: THE SONGS OF JOHN BUCCHINO at the first New York Summer Play Festival and Amer ...

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