Mimosa vs. Flourish

My musical Flourish, with music by Danny Ursetti, was originally called Mimosa. “It sounds like it’s about brunch,” was a common response. This didn’t bother me in the slightest because I knew the show was so delightful that, once the people who thought they were seeing a show about brunch got over their initial disappointment, they’d be ecstatic that they’d stumbled in. But I heard their concern and added a tag to clarify. Mimosa became Mimosa: The Disobedient Plant. 

Then, this past spring, I attended the Lortel Awards and noticed that all the nominated shows — with the exception of Bigfoot — had titles that made them sound worthy and weighty. I realized that it was going to be impossible to convince potential producers that a show called Mimosa: The Disobedient Plant wasn’t frivolous. Or TYA. 

So, the next day, I conjured my friend and mentor William Finn, the grandmaster of titles, and asked him what I should call it. He asked, “What’s it about?” I said, “All flourishing is mutual.” And the title Flourish popped into my head. I’m not sure it came from Bill. 

Flourish felt good for many reasons. First, in my imagination, Mimosa, the protagonist, who is a dancer, ends every dance with a flourish. Second, the understanding that “all flourishing is mutual” is central to the show. Third, I like that the word is a command; that marquees and posters would be commanding people to Flourish in brightly colored, playful Italics. Finally, I think Flourish makes clear that the show is about something of import.

Of course, once I changed the name, all the people that knew the show as Mimosa, and liked that title, were upset. “Mimosa” sings better. It sets the tone. The word feels fun, and light, like orange juice and bubbles. They did not respond to the sound or feel of the word Flourish. 

As for me, I like both. There are valid arguments for both. I change my mind all the time. 

The possibility that neither is right also occurred to me recently.

I’m surprised that I haven’t been able to settle on one over the other. 

If anyone reads this blog, feel free to jump in.

Common and Extraordinary

It’s been about a year and a half since we released the Regretting Almost Everything concept album featuring the glorious Beth Leavel and inimitable Jeff Blumenkrantz. Because of Beth, Jeff, and our producers Kathy Sommer and Matt Anthony, the album is wonderful. And I’m proud of the songs Danny and I wrote. And the show, too.

William Finn told me to write what only I could write: The story of a long marriage. A story of extraordinary moments masked by the mundane.

I believe there’s a tendency to confuse what is “common” with what is “ordinary.” What I mean is, I think people reflexively assume that what is “common” is, by definition, also “ordinary.”

But that’s so, so wrong. Falling in love is common, but it’s not ordinary. Having a child is common, but not ordinary. Sex is common but, when done well, not the least bit ordinary. In fact, falling in love, having children, and sex are among the most extraordinary things we experience as humans. And that’s what Regretting is about.