No. 2 This is just great, Jim
From the mini-opera THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, performed by Gabriel Manro. For Lyric Soprano, Baritone and Piano. Duration: ~12 minutes. If you would like to perform the opera, please contact Jonathan Price.
Jonathan Price is an American composer for new opera, musical theatre, film and concert works.
Lyrics
(SHE runs offstage toward Madame Sofronie. JIM enters from opposite, looking in windows, trying to find a gift for DELLA. HE is wearing an overcoat, a suit and tie. JIM is carrying a brown paper bag and a briefcase. HE pulls out his pocket watch, which has no chain, and looks discouraged. HE puts the watch back into his pocket.)
JIM
So, this is just great, Jim.
What are you going to do now?
You were ready to buy Della such a nice gift.
Something beautiful just for your wife.
Something sweet and special that she deserves.
I had planned this for quite awhile.
I had thought it was taken care of.
If things went as planned, I could have surprised her with a dress.
A dress that made her feel like a queen.
Or a handsome purse to take the place of that
beat up bag she carries.
But it all changed…
I didn’t see it coming.
But, I should have seen it coming.
Yes, I should've…
But, I didn’t.
My Christmas bonus was different this year.
We all knew it wasn’t a great year…
But we worked hard!
And rumor was that we would still be getting a small bonus…
I was counting on that...
But here is what I got…
(HE lifts up the bag and shakes it towards the sky.)
What do I do with this?
I know, I know it’s the thought that should count.
I know I should be happy for what I have.
I have a job.
I have a beautiful wife who loves me.
I have a roof over my head,
And I'm not starving like others,
But nevertheless...
(HE pulls his watch out of his pocket and looks at it.)
I’m running out of time…
The stores will be closing.
(HE puts the watch back into his pocket.)
What can I do?
This is the one time of year I look forward to
expressing all my love and thanks for
being a good wife… and I failed.
(With head down, JIM walks away from the department store windows and comes across a pawnshop, offstage. HE stops, thinks for a few seconds then looks up. HE pulls out his watch again, but doesn't open it.)
Maybe I have all the time I need, after all.
(HE smiles and walks offstage, into the pawnshop.)
Comments
The artist currently doesn't allow comments.
