DrSue Sings Sondheim parody Send Me a Brownie

DrSue Sings Sondheim parody Send Me a Brownie

I’m Susan Horowitz a.k.a. DrSue, and I’m a great admirer of Stephen Sondheim’s work. When I was invited to perform “Send in the Clowns” in a Talent Showcase, I gladly accepted. However, we are currently in a pandemic, and group singing is known to be a high-risk activity. When the producer assigned a group song, I decided to cancel my live participation.

I still love Sondheim’s songs, so I’d like like to share my research, my thoughts, and my funny parody “Send Me a Brownie” (Scroll down for song video and lyrics.)

“Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim

“Send in the Clowns” is beautiful and touching. The song offers the performer and audience a poignant, dramatic moment of irony, rueful sadness, dignity, and at last, hope.

Popularity of “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim

“Send in the Clowns” is one of the few songs from his theatre works that also achieved popular acclaim as an independent song. Some of the famous singers who recorded their own versions include: Frank Sinatra, Bernadette Peters, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Short, and Sarah Vaughan. It also has become a beloved standard in concerts, piano bars (especially those that feature show tunes), and cabaret shows.

What is the secret of the success of “Send In the Clowns”? There are a few reasons: the sentiment (the heartbreaking disappointment of losing romantic love) is universal. The singer is relatable and appealing – in and out of the the story of A Little Night Music.

The language takes us into the elegant world of educated nineteenth century society. We may not use phrases like “Isn’t it rich?” but we understand them. We also enjoy the theatrical references, which are natural to the character, who is an actress. Sondheim’s rhymes are perfect (as always) but don’t distract with cleverness.

On a practical level, “Send In the Clowns” (compared to other Sondheim songs), is relatively easy to sing and can be performed by many popular singers. The melody has a limited vocal range, and it can stay well within the singer’s comfortable chest voice.

The words are easy to pronounce, without the tongue-twisting, breathless patter of some other Sondheim songs, for example, “I’m Not Getting Married Today” from Sondheim’s current Broadway show Company. http://www.companymusical.com

Sondheim composed “Send In the Clowns” for the character “Desiree Armfeldt” in A Little Night Music. The role was originated by actress-singer Glynis Johns, who had a limited vocal range but was an excellent actress. It can be performed by many singers who can act a song without Broadway musical training or vocal chops.

Lovers of American Popular Music can visit and/or join American Popular Song Society https://www.apssinc.org/

“Send in the Clowns” musical A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim

The lyric for “Send In the Clowns” is in fact, a tremendous platform for an acting driven song performance. The lyric (which you can scroll down to read) is sung by the character “Desiree Armfeldt”. Desiree is a touring actress, who had previously rejected a marriage proposal from the lawyer Fredrik. But she has now returned to his hometown and realizes that she wants to commit to their future together. Fredrik, however, is newly married to a much younger bride, who dotes on him (though she refuses to have sex with him).

After Desiree and Fredrik consummate their own reunion in her bed, Fredrik tells Desiree that he is infatuated with his childlike wife and unavailable. Desiree realizes that her dream of commitment with Fredrik is over. She looks at her own theatrical career and love life with rueful irony as she struggles to let him go and maintain her own dignity.

The phrase “Send in the Clowns” refers to the moment in a play where everything is falling apart and somebody makes jokes to divert the audiences. The “clowns” are also the two former lovers, especially Desiree, who feels like a fool.

Clowns are one aspect of comedy, another is parody. Hope you enjoy my parody of “Send in the Clowns” I call it: “Send Me a Brownie” (Scroll Down for Parody and Original Lyric.)

DrSue Sings Sondheim parody Send Me a Brownie

DrSue Sings Sondheim parody Send Me a Brownie

Send Me A Brownie (parody lyric by Susan Horowitz/DrSue)
Isn't it rich? 
Chocolate and square
Soon as the light goes on
You will be there 
Send Me A Brownie

Brownies are bliss
Some won't approve 
I'll put on pound after pound
Till I can't move
I'm getting round
Send Me A Brownie

Romantic love, knocking on doors
I need what's in refrigerators
Don't need no make-up not even a smidge
Brownies are here
Inside my fridge

No ifs ands or buts
Chocolate and nuts
Chewy and gooey with milk 
I don't need beer
Don't need to spread 
Cream cheese on bread
Don't need a schmear 

Isn't it rich? 
Chocolate and square
So deep inside
My fridgidair
Who needs a clown? 
I hate a clown
Send Me A Brownie

Parody Lyric by Susan Horowitz/Dr. Sue

Switch the Musical by Susan Horowitz/DrSue Singer-Songwriter

“Queens of Comedy” by Susan Horowitz (DrSue)

As you can see, I love to perform and write about comedy! Here’s a link to my book “Queens of Comedy” based on my interviews with legendary female comedians!

Dr. Sue Queens of Comedy Book by Susan Horowitz Funny Women Positive Entertainment

In my previous appearance Seth Bisen-Hersh Talent Showcase at Don’t Tell Mama, I sang songs from my original show Switch the Musical. Hope you enjoy!

DrSue /Susan Horowitz Singer-Songwriter “Switch the Musical” at Don’t Tell Mama

Contact DrSue /Susan Horowitz

Contact DrSue/Susan Horowitz through my Social Media Upper Right of Website, or Email drsue at drsue dot com.

“Send in the Clowns” Lyric by Stephen Sondheim

"Send In the Clowns" 

Isn't it rich? 
Are we a pair? 
Me here at last on the ground
You in mid-air.
Where are the clowns?

Isn't it bliss? 
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around
One who can't move 
Where are the clowns? 
Send in the clowns. 

Just when I stopped opening doors
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance at last with my usual flair
Sure of my lines, no one is there.

Don't you love farce? 
My fault I fear
I thought that you'd want what I want
Sorry, my dear 
And where are the clowns? 
Send in the clowns
Don't bother, they're here

Isn't it rich? Isn't it queer
Losing my timing this late in my career
And where are the clowns? 
There ought to be clowns
Well, maybe next year

Disclaimer: 
"Send in the Clowns" Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim is quoted for educational purposes only.