Preludes Original Cast Lilacs
(Lilacs arrive at RACH's door)
[RACH]
EVERY SUNDAY
I GET LILACS
IN THE MAIL
NO MATTER WHERE I AM
MOSCOW, DRESDEN, OR NEW YORK…
WHITE LILACS
EVEN IN WINTER
WHEN THE TREES ARE FROZEN AND BARE
IMPOSSIBLY THEY COME
LILACS AT MY DOOR
HOW CAN I LIVE UP TO THIS?
SOMETIMES I'M A GOOD MAN
AND SOMETIMES I AM NOT
[NATALYA (bringing in more lilacs)]
A lover, Serge?
[RACH]
No, no, Natalya
Not a lover
Just a lady who likes lilacs I guess
[NATALYA]
And who likes you
[RACH]
She doesn't even know me-
[NATALYA]
-she admires you from afar!
You music must have done something to her
[RACH]
MAYBE SHE'S MY SECRET MUSE
AND SHE'S LETTING IT BUILD UP INSIDE ME
MAYBE EACH LILAC IS JUST ONE PART OF A PUZZLE
AND THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER
THOUSANDS OF LILACS
IN A GRAND CATHEDRAL
WHERE THE SUN COMES IN THROUGH THE FLOWERS
BUT I NEED THEM ALL
EVERY LAST ONE
ONLY WHEN THEY'RE ALL TOGETHER
WHEN THEY'RE FINALLY ALL TOGETHER
ALL THE LILACS WILL COME TO LIFE
THEY'LL SPRING UP AND DANCE A RHUMBA
DANCE ON MY CHEST
AND THEN THEY'LL RACE TO AN OPEN FIELD
AND THEY'LL CLIMB OVER EACH OTHER
AND THEY'LL BUILD THIS GREAT THING
[NATALYA]
OR MAYBE THE LILACS ARE POISONING YOU
MAYBE THE LILACS ARE BLOCKING YOU
MAYBE SHE'S AN ANTI-MUSE
[RACH]
Maybe so
[NATALYA]
Have you been to see Dahl yet?
The hypnotherapist?
[RACH]
Yes
I mean, I'm going to
I mean, I think I already have
[NATALYA]
YOU SHOULD GO
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
I HAVE STUDENTS TODAY
But be back by five, the priest is coming by, to help us get an audience with the Tsar
[RACH]
Priest?
[NATALYA]
I told you this
[RACH]
Yes, yes of course!
[NATALYA]
YOU DO STILL WANT TO GET MARRIED, COUSIN?
[RACH]
COUSIN YES I DO
[NATALYA]
Good. Now go
I have things to do, you know?