“Everybody Wants the Good”

from “Show-Thing: A Musical”

Music by Jack Richman, Lyrics by Charlene Tashnizi, Book by: Willy Krosnyak

(Demo Vocals by Howard Godfrey (he/him), Berklee College of Music ‘25 student

Pianist: Noah Phillips, Berklee College of Music ‘25 student)

A young man named Jamey has spent his whole life living in a make-believe musical world where everyone sings instead of speaks, everything is perfect, and nothing “bad” happens. Now, he has discovered that it was all a lie. As he realizes that there is an exit door for him to wander into reality at last, he grapples with the fact that he must leave his paradise of a home. The decision is not easy, but he comes to learn that he needs to be a real person instead of a cardboard cutout protagonist. He stares at the exit door, reflecting on who he is and what may happen in the unknown. Through his contemplation, he comes to the conclusion that his so-called “paradise” is actually a nightmare. As the final song in this mini-musical, the audience is left questioning what will happen to Jamey as he decides to accept reality and leave the only home he’s ever known.