Susan “Dr. Sue” Horowitz Sings her funny original song: “Matzo Ball Romance” Teddly Bear Puppet plays Matzo Box Tambourine!
(Positive Humor & Songs)
Susan Horowitz is a Speaker and Author of “Queens of Comedy” (Interviews with Comedy Legends: Lucille Ball, Joan Rivers, Carol Burnett, Phyllis Diller)!
Susan “Dr. Sue” Horowitz Sings Funny Original Passover Song “Matzo Ball Romance”
Susan “Dr. Sue” Horowitz Sings Funny Original Passover Song “Matzo Ball Romance”
DrSue Passover Comedy! Here’s the link to DrSue performance of “Matzoh Ball Romance” at the legendary @Don’t Tell Mama Cabaret in New York City! (“Matzo” and “matzoh” are alternative spellings.)
Please scroll down for lyrics and Dr. Sue’s Contact information!
Dr. Sue Sings “Matzoh Ball Romance”
Dr. Sue Sings “Matzoh Ball Romance” @ Don’t Tell Mama Cabaret
Dr. Sue Sings “Matzoh Ball Romance”
"Matzo Ball Romance" by Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz
I was sittin' at a seder
In a temple of worship
When a cute guy sat right next to me
He said, "I am single, and I am a doctor
I have an Ivy degree."
My Mama said, "Girl, meet a man at a temple
It's better than a barroom or dance.
Don't keep your heart locked or
Miss out on a doctor
A beautiful Matzo Ball Romance."
I was lookin' at my cell phone
When I saw a text message
From my romance so kosher and nice
He said, "I am lonely, visit my office
I'll give you a discounted price."
My Mama said, "Girl, when you go to a temple
Keep your eye out for someone in pants."
Don't know what to call it:
His eye on my wallet
Not a beautiful Matzo Ball Romance."
Yeah, I went back to the temple.
He saw me but he ran away (Like a chicken)
So I looked 'round the room I made a new friend.
There's something that I'd like to say:
"Fellas and girls, when you go to a temple
Don't be afraid, take a chance
Some folks are chicken
But true friends are rib-stickin'
Like a beautiful Matzo Ball Romance.
Music and Lyrics
by Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz
copyright 2022
Enjoy “Songwriting Sisters” Dr. Sue’s Solo Show of Songs & Comedy
DrSue Sings Funny Original Thanksgiving song “Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy: Tale of a Turkey-Pilgrim Dinner Date!” (Scroll down for Lyric, Thoughts about Self-Esteem, Diversity, Inclusion, American History, and my Life In-and-Out of the Performing Arts!)
My Song-Video Performance was recorded at Church Street School for Music and Art, 41 White Street New York City. Here’s their website: https://churchstreetschool.org/
Photo is from my performance at Singers Space, presented by D’Ambrose Boyd, BarThalia, Symphony Space New York City https://www.facebook.com/groups/143560185778318
Video DrSue Singer-Songwriter @Church Street School Music Party
Susan Horowitz/DrSue Sings her Original Funny Thanksgiving Song!
“Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy” – Song Lyric by Susan Horowitz/DrSue
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy Words and Music by Susan Horowitz/DrSue Copyright 2021
This is a tale of a turkey bird
Who went to a turkey trot
When anyone said, "May I have this dance?"
She answered, "You may not.
I'll only dance with a gentleman
Who makes our country great
If he's got money, then he'll be my honey
And I will be his date!"
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy
Saucy and surprising
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy
Very appetizing!
Suddenly somebody stepped on in
Who came from Pilgrim stock
He said, "I'll be candid
My boat has landed here on Plymouth Rock.
Turkeys are dumb, but drumsticks are yum
And you look mighty fine
Please do not stall, my Butterball
Come with me to dine!"
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy
Saucy and surprising
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy
Very appetizing!
They went to a fabulous restaurant
She was his dinner date
But when they got there the table was bare
Except for an empty plate
The rest of the story is terribly gory
I'll leave out the end
Let me just say have a fine Turkey day
And share it with a friend.
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy
Saucy and surprising
Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy
Very appetizing!
Contact Susan Horowitz/DrSue Social Media (Website Upper Right)
Songwriting and Meaning, Popular Song History, Self-Esteem Tips
Hope you enjoyed my original song “Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy: Tale of a Turkey/Pilgrim Dinner Date.” (Lyric is slightly revised to my latest version.) As you can see, the song is designed for fun, with a catchy, easy-to-sing melody and a sing-along chorus that includes the audience. The story (told in the verses) has two main characters: the Turkey Bird and the Pilgrim, who interact with dialogue and action, and the other turkeys, who don’t get to dance with the Turkey Bird.
The story also has a Narrator, the Singer (in this case, myself, the Singer Songwriter) who tells the story and articulates the theme in a humorous, ironic chorus. I encourage the audience to sing the chorus with me, and in fact, they do!
Why does my audience sing along? Because I give them an easy, catchy melody, with a repetitive refrain “Life Is Just a Bowl of Gravy” which probably reminds many audience members of the optimistic, popular song “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries.” But cherries have pits, and life has pitfalls – especially for snobbish birds.
“Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy” sounds cheerful, but in fact, it’s a cynical (though perky) comment on the demise of the Turkey Bird! The self-deluding bird rejects her real friends, misunderstands her real situation, and will only dance with a rich “Pilgrim” who (like Donald Trump) promises to “make our country great.” The “Pilgrim” views the Turkey as an appetizing fool suitable for his main course. The story spares the listener the gory details, but ends with a bit of advice – enjoy Thanksgiving (“Turkey day”) and share it with a friend.
The advice – know who you are, don’t try to be who you are not, and value and enjoy your life – applies to many situations. The word “turkey” has become slang for an inept loser, a bird who can’t fly like the eagle. But in fact, the wild turkey (unlike its domesticated cousin, bred for the dinner table) is a native American bird, who can fly and run fast and is traditionally prized by Native Americans, whose own story is part of the real history of Thanksgiving
“Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy” is an original song rooted in a few song genres, including traditional story songs. The ongoing narrative is told in the verses, and the theme shows up in the chorus. The form is verse-chorus, and the repeating chorus makes it easy to learn and sing along.
I also draw inspiration from theatre/revue songs, which often became popular standards. “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries” by Ray Henderson/Lew Brown (published in 1931) comes from a Broadway revue (George White’s Scandals, modeled after the Ziegfeld Follies). The easy-to-remember, positive refrain and catchy tune made it a song standard with many recordings. You can learn and enjoy more great song standards by visiting the American Popular Song Society American Popular Song Society (apssinc.org)
Some songwriters and musical theatre writers experiment and challenge traditional song forms. But even the most radical do well to learn their craft and tradition – even if what they want to do is rebel against it.
Singer-Songwriters, Popular Songs, and Musical Theatre
My life in-and-out of the Performing Arts reflects who I am as a Singer-Songwriter, Musical Theatre Creator, Educator, and Person.
Singer-Songwriters create a personal, intimate art form, which directly connects to audiences. The audience often includes other musicians or singers. If the songs are simple or well-known, the audience can sing or play along and build community.
Musical theatre is much more elaborate, with an emphasis on unusual talents, professional collaboration, production values – and substantial funding. The effect can be thrilling!
Autumn Photo by Suzen http://www.suzennyc.com/
I also love the melodic sweep and wit of musical theatre – especially my own show “Switch the Musical” www.switchthemusical.com – and the intimacy and freedom of singing-songwriting, where I can immediately connect with my audience. I consider everything I (and we) create to be aspects of our talents and personal values. And unlike the foolish turkey, we don’t need to seek validation from fake “Pilgrims.” We can do it for ourselves.
Comedians as “Wild Turkeys” Book: “Queens of Comedy”
Great comedians are like wild turkey chicks who have landed among the domesticated breed. They don’t look as plump and juicy as the ones bred for the dinner table. But if they embrace their own talents, they can fly! Here’s a link to some of my favorite “birds” – the legendary comediennes I interviewed for my book “Queens of Comedy”
Contact Susan Horowitz/DrSue Social Media (Website Upper Right)
I hope you enjoy my blog about life in-and-out of the performing arts. You can contact me by clicking the Contact Links and Social Media on this website. (www.DrSue.com)
Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D. Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.
My Zoom Opinion: To Say or Not? Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment: (How I Got Kicked Out of Zoom Class)
Dr. Sue in Shakespeare’s HatGertrude in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
This Blog Post needs my short personal bio, so here goes. I’ve been an English/Theater Professor/Writer for over thirty years. (I stopped teaching about the time the pandemic hit in early 2020.) I have close relationships with some of my former students and a connection with my former college. I also have opinions.
Anyone who wants to keep a job (as I certainly did) knows that you sometimes swim in shark-infested waters. You learn to keep some of your opinions to yourself – especially in group meetings. This is especially true if you don’t have job security (which in academia means tenure).
But if you never say what you truly feel, your calculated, tactful silence tends to chip away at your self-esteem. Over time, those little bits of your true self get lost. Instead of the smart, vibrant, outspoken, fully alive person you used to be, you wind up as a weak, sad, timid ghost.
As any English/Theater Teacher, Actor, Theater Pro, or Amateur Nerd knows, the subject of ghosts brings us to… William Shakespeare! My main go-to ghost is Hamlet’s dead dad – Hamlet Senior, who gets the action (and non-action) into high gear.
Prince Hamlet, the hero of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, has a spooky, but motivational conversation with King Hamlet (the ghost). Ghost Hamlet tells Live Hamlet that his Uncle Claudius, the dead king’s brother, murdered him, married his widow (Queen Gertrude –Hamlet’s mom), and is now King of Denmark. Ghost Hamlet tells Hamlet to seek Revenge!Our hero Hamlet immediately… thinks about it!
What does this have to do with my getting kicked out of Zoom Class?
Like me, Hamlet talks to people (ghosts) who aren’t physically there. In my case, it’s Zoom Chats (the sidebars on Zoom classes and meetings where you type your thoughts to people who are somewhere in cyberspace. After Zoom, they vanish, like ghosts).
In Shakespeare’s play, old King Hamlet’s Ghost issues a call to action: kill your uncle! Hamlet decides that Ghost is right, and he should kill King Claudius – but on the other hand…. What if the ghost is wrong – or a fake ghost ? Instead of springing into action, Hamlet springs into depression. People think he’s mad (and maybe he is – or not). After several murders and suicides (Hamlet’s girlfriend, her father, her brother, Hamlet’s friends, his mother, Claudius, and, finally, Hamlet himself), the stage is littered with bodies, and the show is over. Denmark has a new King, and I’m ready for a coffee break (preferably with a Danish pastry because Shakespearean tragedy gives me an appetite).
How did a Shakespeare semi-scholar (me) get kicked out of Zoom class?
My Zoom class was not actually about Shakespeare, it was a series about musical theater, which tends to be less tragic (except for investors when the show closes on opening night). Our Teacher showed video clips from Broadway shows, led discussions in the Chat feature (where we post comments), and called himself an “Expert”. I didn’t bother looking up his academic credentials or affiliation, because I didn’t care. I already have a Ph.D. in Theater, so I don’t need academic credit. I was interested in the subject matter and what seemed to be an entertaining, informative experience. As long as I was enjoying the class, I didn’t need to know his professional history. I paid for an “All-Access Pass” which gave me full admission to his series of Zoom classes and videos. (Scroll down for my own Video – wearing my Shakespeare Hat and talking to Teddly Bear Puppet).
So there we were, several classes into the series, watching video clips and posting comments in the Chat. Most of the comments were posted to “Everyone” – which means everyone can read them. The other option is “Private” – which means only you and your chosen Zoom attendee reads your post. The “Expert” controlled the Chat. I usually posted supportive comments, but if I disagreed, I said so briefly without negative personal remarks.
I never posted political comments until… Cabaret. The musical Cabaret is set in Germany during Hitler’s rise to power. The in-cabaret performances echo the real-world events happening off-stage – including the growing threat of the anti-Semitic, violent Nazi regime. During the class, the teacher said that the Nazi idea of the German “folk” (ancient Germanic tribes) excluded all non-Aryans (like Jews).
I thought there was a parallel between the myth of the German “folk” and the Trumpian idea of the United States as an Anglo-Saxon country. (The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic tribes.)
I started posting a brief comment in the Chat about “Trump notion of the USA as an Anglo…” Then I accidentally pushed “Enter” which posted my half-sentence.
Before I could continue, the Teacher cut me off, and announced to “Everyone” in the Chat that if I posted political comments, I would be thrown out of class!
At first I thought: is this a mistake? He can’t mean me! Throw me out of class for one, brief remark? In my long career as an educator, students have said and done much more shocking things! I don’t throw them out of class. I usually ask to speak with them privately so we can solve the problem without a public confrontation. When this Zoom teacher threatened me and posted it to “Everyone” in the Chat, I felt embarrassed and attacked. I did not want to escalate the situation, so I didn’t post anything in reply. After a while, the class was over, with the Teacher soliciting and getting compliments about his class from some of my fellow students.
After class, I felt conflicted. Saying nothing would avoid immediate conflict. But keeping silent made me feel powerless and depressed. Why should this Zoom “expert” feel enttitled to embarrass me in front to the class – and for what – one half-sentence of a political opinion that he did not want to hear?
I decided to write an E-Mail to the Teacher and CC my E-mail it to his “Staff “– which probably meant his Assistant. Based on his class behavior, I figured that he might distort what actually happened. If I CC’d his Assistant, who seemed reasonable, she would have my written record. I also figured that since the Assistant was an African-American woman, she was more likely to understand my feelings than the White, male teacher. Here is my E-mail to the Teacher – CC’d to the Assistant.
“Dear David, I respect your decision not to allow political comments in your classes – I also believe that the Nazi notion of the German “folk” and the Trump notion of the USA as an “Anglo-Saxon” nation are clearly parallel. As you may know, the Anglo-Saxons were Germanic tribes, and the Trump family traces its origins back to Germany. Out of respect for class decorum and keeping focus on the shows, I did not continue the discussion (which might have escalated into an argument) in the “Everyone” Chat. In the future, please address your objections to my comments in a private chat to me – rather than threatening to throw me out of class in a remark addressed to “Everyone.”
I don’t like public threats. I was respectful to you. Please be respectful to me. Sincerely, Dr. Susan Horowitz”
Here is the Teacher’s Email Reply to Me (the bold type is his choice):
“What a strange apology.
Please do not come back to my class. You are not welcome.”
I replied to his E-mail by pointing out that my class post contained no personal attacks or foul language. Then I wrote:
“If you wish to dismiss me from The Broadway Maven , please refund my fee for my All-Access Pass. Thanks, Susan Horowitz”
Here is the Teacher’s E-mail response:
“Your E-mail has been deleted without being read and your address has been put on block. Please do not contact me again.”
Soon after that, I received an Email from his Assistant, stating:
“I’m truly sorry you’ve had a bad experience. Unfortunately, we have a strict no refund policy, so I am unable to issue you a refund.”
After reading the Assistant’s E-mail, I dropped the subject. It seemed to me that she was acting in a professional, courteous way. She apologized to me (as she should); she couldn’t control her boss’s temper and behavior; and she probably wanted to keep her job – whatever her personal opinion.
I’m in a different position. He is not my boss, and he is not paying me. In fact, it’s the other way around. I said what I meant, and I still mean what I said. I never made “Trump” related comments on the other shows because they weren’t appropriate. But Cabaret is a show about a Fascist rise to power – and how authority abuses power.
In the Cabaret film, The Emcee, who is played to devilish perfection by Joel Gray, invites the audience to escape harsh reality and “come to the cabaret.” Sally Bowles, played by equally brilliant Liza Minelli, sings about “Elsie” her fictional girlfriend who escapes her life with random promiscuity and “too much pills and liquor” and winds up dead – laid up in her coffin “like a queen.”
Fortunately, I (and you, my dear readers) have better options. We don’t need to suppress our feelings and wind up feeling depressed or crazed (like Hamlet) or drunk, drugged, and dead (like Elsie).
We don’t need to play a role in a weird power dynamic called: “Teacher vs. Bad Student” or “Authority vs. Scared Subordinate” or “Male vs. Female” or “Pro-Trump vs. Anti-Trump” – or whatever was really going on in that Zoom Class. We don’t need to let someone else define who we are. We can define ourselves in a positive, self-affirming way. We can enjoy our creativity and our relationships with people who really matter.
Please Follow Susan Horowitz (Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment Blog or Facebook, Linked In, etc.) Scroll Up on Right and Click Icons!
Here’s my Entertaining, Educational Video with my Teddly Bear Puppet! (Please Like my YouTube Channel, where you can Comment & Subscribe! 😊)
Be Your True Self – Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment
I recently posted my latest YouTube video about my original musical “SssWitch” www.SssWitch.net
The video story-song includes two songs from “SssWitch” www.SssWitch.net I share some of the story and a brief explanation of the themes and ideas. In my explanation, I say, “Being yourself is True Magic.”
Dr. Sue Sings “SssWitch” songs, tells story, and gives positive advice!
I always invite comments on my YouTube videos, and this time I got one that really touched and inspired me. I’d like to share the comment – with my reaction.
“Yes being yourself is True Magic. So many people living lives of lies… It’s nothing like experiencing the magic of living your truth. That’s what you do Dr. Sue. 💕” –
– source is private (until I receive permission to share)
I was touched to read a comment that showed that the viewer really paid attention and understood what I was trying to say. “SssWitch” is a fantasy musical – a modern twist on Cinderella, with entertaining elements like a funny Witch. It’s also about real human issues – especially the challenge of living an authentic life based on your true feelings and talents.
Sometimes our true feelings are about gender, sexuality, or relationships (past or present). Sometimes our true feelings are about religion or family values – how we were raised and what we really believe and want. Sometimes our true feelings involve telling a friend, relative, co-worker or boss how we really feel.
Sharing our true feelings can be hard, and we sometimes pick and choose what to say and how to say it. But if we don’t share our personal truth with someone we want to be close to, then we can’t have intimacy. (I’ll talk more about this when we get to another song from “SssWitch” called “Won’t You Let Me Love You?”)
My viewer also said,
“So many people living lives of lies… It’s nothing like experiencing the magic of living your truth.That’s what you do Dr. Sue. 💕” –
“Living lives of lies” is unfulfilling and frustrating. It also damages our self-esteem. If we hide our true feelings, then no matter how much external success we may have, we alway know that we are not being valued for our true selves – only for the false mask that we put on to please someone else – someone or something that we imagine as all-powerful and much more important that we are.
I hope that this Blog will offer some helpful ways to look at our lives – plus some entertainment. Just like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, we can become our beautiful, true selves!
SssWitch Logo
Learning to Love Yourself is the True Magic!
Please write to me by posting comments on my Blog or YouTube video Channel:
Here’s my YouTube Channel: www.YouTube.com/drsuecomedian
Here is the link to my SssWitch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lEhcg1yq8
Here is Positive Advice for Your Day!
The real Magic is Transforming Your Life! – SssWitch!
Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D. Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.
Dr. Sue “Queens of Comedy” Book by Susan Horowitz Funny Women Positive Entertainment
“Queens of Comedy” – Book by Susan Horowitz (Dr. Sue) – is based on her personal interviews with Comedy Legends Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg and More – Plus a Witty History of Funny Women!
Hard Cover or Paperback Signed by Susan Horowitz (Author, Entertaining Speaker) E-Mail: drsue at drsue dot com. (Or use Contact Form on Website) Also on Amazon (and More) for more money and no author’s signature.
“Queens of Comedy” Book by Susan Horowitz
“Queens of Comedy” – Book by Susan Horowitz
Buy from Amazon (Paperback, Hardcover, and Kindle)
Dr. Sue Sings Funny Parody “Rudy the Red-Nosed Lawyer” Positive Entertainment
You’re invited to Sing Along to “Rudy the Red-Nosed Lawyer” – a funny parody for the 2020 holiday – and political season! The tune (and part of the title) are based on a favorite holiday song: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by songwriter Johnny Marks based on a 1939 story by Robert L. May.
Here’s my Song-Video – Scroll down for Lyrics!
Rudy The Red-Nosed Lawyer
Has a client known as Trump
Rudy was once a mayor
Now he runs the city dump
Rudy, he loves his garbage
And he thinks collection's sweet
But he forgot one detail
You can't collect from a deadbeat!
On a bright November night
Kamala and Joe
Turned most of the country blue
And said, "Trump, you gotta go!"
Donny said, "I'm gonna sue ya.
Rudy is my legal brain."
Rudy the Red-Nosed Lawyer
And Trump are going down the drain!
"Rudy the Red-Nosed Lawyer"
Parody Lyrics by Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz
Copyright 2020
Please ask permission to use or share.
Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D. Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.
Dr. Sue Sings Original Funny Song about Voting & Thanksgiving Turkey! Positive Entertainment
Every Thanksgiving, I give thanks that I am not a turkey!
This popular holiday celebrates the arrival (and survival) of European immigrants on the North American continent with a Thanksgiving feast. Virginia and Massachusetts boast about hosting the first Thanksgiving. You don’t hear as much from the Native Americans, who were already here. Turkeys are prominently featured on most American Thanksgiving tables and greatly admired – but they are not available for comment.
Why not? What wisdom can we glean from the fate of turkeys? Surely we should learn something after hundreds of years… or at least four years after the 2016 election!
If you think that someone who looks rich and claims to be a “real American” because his ancestors got here a few generations ago, will Make America Great for You, consider the fate of the foolish turkey…who gets plucked!
Enjoy my Song Video “Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy!” Scroll down for song lyrics.
"Life is Just a Bowl of Gravy"
This is a tale of a turkey bird who went to a turkey trot
When anyone asked her "Will you dance?" She answered, "I will not"
I'll only dance with a gentleman who makes my country great
If he's got money I'll call him my honey, and he will be my date.
Life is just a bowl of gravy - saucy and surprising
Life is just a bowl of gravy - and very appetizing!
Suddenly somebody stepped on in who came from pilgrim stock
He said "I'll be candid, my boat has just landed nearby on Plymouth Rock
I sail the Mayflower and I got the power and you look mighty fine
Please do not stall my sweet Butterball and come with me to dine
Life is just a bowl of gravy - saucy and surprising
Life is just a bowl of gravy - and very appetizing!
They went to a fabulous restaurant, she was his dinner date
But when they got there, the table was bare except for an empty plate
The rest of the story is terribly gory - her fate we still recall
If you didn't get here by the Mayflower dear
We're in the same boat - so get out and Vote!
And dance at your own Turkey Ball!
Life is just a bowl of gravy - saucy and surprising
Life is just a bowl of gravy - and very appetizing!
Copyright 2020 Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz (Words and Music)
Written Music is Available on Request
Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz is available as an Entertaining, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Singer-Songwriter, and Teaching Artist. Please Use Contact Form on Website
Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D. Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.
Dr. Sue Song-Video “Wear a Mask Show You Care” with Teddly!
Dr. Sue & ShakesBear (Shakespeare) Funny Video “MacBear”
Dr. Sue visits Battery Park NYC (Virtual Tour) with Teddly!
Susan "Dr. Sue" Horowitz is available as an Entertaining, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Singer-Songwriter, and Teaching Artist. Please Use Contact Form on Website
Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D. Entertaining Motivational Speaker-Author-Educator-Singer/Songwriter.
Dr. Sue & Teddly Sing “Wear a Mask, Wash Your Hands, Stay Apart, Show You Care” Creativity in Quarantine
Dr. Sue Teddly Puppet Wear a Mask
Teddly, my Teddy Bear Puppet, loves entertainment and being with friends (Just like me)! But during the current corona crisis, live entertainment is not happening, and in-person socializing is limited. Friends are often hard to reach, and it’s easy to feel isolated, bored, and lonely.
I needed a way to stay active and connected to a community. I needed to communicate what I am doing, thinking, and feeling. I needed to create, share, and get a response.
I started spending a lot of time on the Internet – especially on Social Media and YouTube. I posted comments, photos, videos, songs, humor, and stories about my life. Facebook friends liked, commented, and began to feel like “real” friends. I also needed a sense of purpose – to feel that I was making a contribution. I created two Facebook groups: New York Strong and Dr. Sue Positive Entertainment – where members can comment and post their own images and videos – and I can do it too. I like costumes and props, so I looked around my home to see what was available.
That’s when I thought about Teddly – a bear puppet stuck in a box in my closet. It was time to come out of the closet – and think out of the box! Teddly began showing up in my Zoom meetings and Social Media photos!
When I needed a haircut (after four months of self-quarantine), Teddly helped me get the message across. I posted a photo of Teddly on my Facebook page with the caption: “Should I cut my own hair? Should I trust Teddly bear with scissors?”
To my surprise, I got loads of likes, comments, and advice – including a reference to Robin Baxter, a talented hairdresser in midtown. She turned out to be clean, convenient, courteous, talented and reasonable!
Teddly also began responding to the news with photos plus humorous comments and short poems. When President Trump promoted Goya Foods in the Oval Office, Teddly posed with a can of beans.
One of today’s most important (and controversial) issues is wearing masks – to protect yourself and others against the novel Coronavirus. The most recent medical studies (cited in The New York Times, July 28, 2020) offers strong evidence that masks offer protection against spreading the virus and becoming infected.
I wanted to convey the importance of wearing a mask, washing your hands, and keeping social distance. But I didn’t want to lecture people and provoke conflict. Puppets are a fun, non-threatening way to communicate, with special appeal to children – and the young-at-heart. I decided to write an original song, sing it with my Teddly Bear puppet, and put the video on YouTube!
Dr. Sue & Teddly Sing: “Wear a Mask, Wash Your Hands, Stay Apart, Show You Care” copyright Dr. Sue
“Wear a Mask, Wash Your Hands, Stay Apart, Show You Care” by Dr. Sue
I’m so glad you ask why I wear a mask It’s so important to do In case you got germs, I don’t wanna get ’em And if I got germs, I don’t wanna spread ’em I’m so glad you ask… thank you for wearing a mask!
Oh please understand, and please wash your hands It’s so important to do We all should keep clean ’cause a germ, well it lingers So wash up like me, though bears don’t have fingers Oh please understand…thank you for washing your hands.
You might be a person, you might be a bear Do it to show that you care….
I’m staying apart, you’re here in my heart I’ll still be your Teddly Bear It’s hard to be smart and keep my resistance I’m keeping my words- I’m keeping my distance I’ll show that I care…thank you from your Teddly Bear.
Dr. Sue’s Funny Review “Mrs. Hamilton the Musical”
“Hamilton the Musical” is a lot of laughs…after the show! I streamed the mega-hit, mega-bucks Broadway show on my computer. Due to the pandemic, Broadway is closed for live entertainment, but “Hamilton” now streams online – if you subscribe to Disney +.
I am in voluntary self-quarantine, so I spend most of my time at home with my computer – or going for morning, solo walks in my New York City park – where I became friendly with the Brookfield Place Security Guard. I always wear a mask indoors, but when I’m outdoors for my early morning, uncrowded walks, I’m less cautious. The Guard is more available before the daytime crowd arrives. We stay six apart and enjoy lively conversations, updating each other on our lives – with encouragement and humor.
The morning after I watched “Hamilton” I encountered my new friend, the Guard. He had not seen the show on Broadway or online, so I summarized the story – with my own comic twist – and here it is!
Hamilton (a US Founding Father), a.k.a. “Mr. Ham” is the lead role. Mr. Ham, immigrates to the pre-USA, fights for independence, invents banking, flirts with his bride’s sister, insults people, and fathers a son – who gets into to a duel to defend his dad’s honor. Mr. Ham tells his son to shoot into the air – which gets him killed.
Mrs. Hamilton is really steamed – especially when Mr. Ham defends his financial honor to his enemies by pointing out that his suspicious check stubs were payments to the hubby of a local hottie for letting Ham and hottie do the nasty in the wife’s bed.
Mr. Ham gets into his own duel, shoots into the air, and gets himself killed.
The musical makes multi-millions – on stage and now…on screen.
The Security Guard and I plan to write a sequel called… “Mrs. Hamilton: I Married a Moron! “
In our version, Mrs. Ham gets the pistol and shoots Mr. Ham in his pee-pee.
She becomes a Founding Mother, and we become billionaires!
Our new, improved version has comedy and a happy ending! We expect it to be a success – on stage, screen and as a sitcom/reality show called… “I Married a Moron!” The married couple will be play by a celebrity wife and a famous US politico husband. Guess who!
We hope to spin-off the sitcom into dance-exercise videos – so you can social distance – and stay in shape! Here is a free sample!
