[PW] "Send in the Clowns"

[Jim Longo]

Um.....one of SONDHEIM'S musicals.  There are a couple of piano bars in New York City where that would get you killed. ;-)
 
At any rate, the phrase did indeed originate in the circus in the 19th century (to distract audiences when high-wire or acrobat acts went wrong); aside from the appearance in "A Little Night Music", I can't find any reference to it being used in the theater.  Desiree, when she sings it, is making light of the fact that her plans for a happy life with Fredric have just crashed and burned.  If you want to complete the irony, the very next scene is a young girl contemplating what her future will be.
 
Jim Longo
Scott-Macon, Ltd.
New York, NY> Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:34:14 +0100> To: list at project-wombat.org> From: jtthompson at eircom.net> Subject: Re: [PW] "Send in the Clowns"> > >What is the origin of the expression, "Send in the Clowns", as use > >in the theater (not circus)?> >> >(I'm sure that this has been covered before, but I cannot access the > >archives. Are they accessible?)> > It's a song from one of Lloyd Weber's musicals.> _______________________________________________> Project Wombat> list at project-wombat.org> http://www.project-wombat.org/
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