Putting It Together

[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!