Author: James Donegan

How it Ends from Big Fish

Another song recommended by the great Anne Nathan. I saw Big Fish and liked it (both the film and the musical), but I didn’t remember this song so well. Now I’m in love with it. Anyone who’s experienced loss — if you’ve been there when someone left this plane — can’t possibly forget what it’s like when someone transitions. It is peaceful and quiet. When that quiet was preceded by long illness or pain, it’s a release that is as beautiful as it is painful.

With music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, Big Fish is a heartfelt story about fathers, sons, and the tall tales that shape our lives. This song captures the emotional core of the show, and I’m honored to share my interpretation with you.

🎹 Piano track courtesy of pianotrax.com – used with permission.

🎭 Song: “How It Ends”
🎶 Musical: Big Fish
✍️ Music & Lyrics: Andrew Lippa
📚 Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the film by Tim Burton

Sometimes a Day Goes By : On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

I have to admit that I’d heard this song and kind of thought of it as a standard without ever really listening to the lyrics. When my friend and coach Anne Nathan recommended I look at it, I really heard it for the first time.

It’s at once highly personal and completely universal. A man who’s trying desperately to move on with his life but his loss makes it impossible.

🎵 Song: “Sometimes a Day Goes By”
🎭 Musical: On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
🎼 Music: John Kander
✍️ Lyrics: Fred Ebb
🎹 Piano: Anna Ebbesen

Edges of the World : Fun Home

Ever since seeing Michael Cerveris’s incredible performance, I’ve wanted to play Bruce so badly. The role is an actor’s dream — a funny, charming, witty man for whom you root but also a manipulative, emotionally (and physically?) abusive monster.

We have seen Fun Home Off-Broadway, on Broadway, on London’s West End and in the national tour. And every time, I was reminded of how much I wanted this show in my life.

A few years ago, when the rights first came available, several theaters produced Fun Home, but I was only lucky enough to audition for two of them. This is self-tape I did when I was working in a regional production of Sweeney Todd and couldn’t get back to New York for the in-person appointments. I may not have been cast, but I’m still very proud of this work and hope that I get a shot at the part!

🎶 Song: “Edges of the World”
🎭 Musical: Fun Home
✍️ Music: Jeanine Tesori
🖊️ Lyrics & Book: Lisa Kron
📚 Based on the graphic memoir by: Alison Bechdel