Laura doing a concert version of Tales From the Bad Years

grannygreaser · Senior Member

Laura doing a concert version of Tales From the Bad Years

Laura Mom · Senior Member

Sunday evening concert? Right after a two show day and a four show weekend? That sounds difficult for everyone involved. Perhaps with as many people involved as there are it will not be too much for any single person. Good thing they'll have Monday to recoup although it seems like there's things to do on lots of Mondays too. Last Monday night Laura got to sing "Hopelessly Devoted" at Carnegie Hall for a NY Pops anniversary type of concert. She sat the second half of the show by Cathy Rigby, someone she has hugely admired--especially as Peter Pan, since Laura, too, got to do the role Peter Pan in the past. Laura said it was just a stunning experience to sing at Carnegie Hall! I hope this event will be fun too. Wish I lived closed by so I could go see it. I hadn't even heard about this yet!

Eris · Guru

Laura was great last night. She only sang one song but she did it beautifully.

-- Edited by Eris at 01:28, 2008-05-06

gramps3 · Senior Member

It didn't do much for me. I think it was a poor choice of song for her.

Stan/Gramps3

singingdoc · Veteran Member

Wow, that song and Laura's performance touched me deeply. I have a 24 yo son who is temporarily back living at home. This song reminded me of how difficult it must be for him to give up some of the freedom he's experienced and to live with our expectations. Laura conveyed the real angst such a move engenders. In so doing, I suspect (no, I know) that she's made his mother and I more empathetic to our son's situation.

slackerbacker73 · Veteran Member

I thought she sounded really good! I had a hard time understanding the words when she started singing, but I think maybe that was due to the audio.

Laura Mom · Senior Member

Wow! Singingdoc, I'm with you! Of course we're in the same age bracket, but who can't remember being that age and wanting to be on your own but life not always allowing that? Difficult circumstances sometimes come our way. And if you were returning home having to swallow a whole lot of pride--even more difficult. I loved the song and how I miss hearing that voice around my house! But, I wish Laura her wings and not difficult circumstances that would bring her back home. Laura has a step sister just 6 months older than she is whose husband left for Iraq yesterday for a year deployment and they just had a new baby March 5. That is difficult circumstances. We will help but this daughter too will make her own way. Again, I loved the song. It really touched my heart. Thanks so much for posting it! This is why I love watching this board--I can be more a part of my daughter's life!

Laura Mom · Senior Member

Here are the written words to Laura's song since some of them are hard to discern.

HOW TO RETURN HOME

YOUR BARE FEET SLIDING ON THE OLD WOODEN FLOORBOARDS,

HOME JUST AS YOU LEFT IT BUT STILL YOU'RE SHAKEN,

LIKE WALKING INTO A MUSEUM SOMEHOW OUT OF TIME.

IT'S ALL THE SAME EXCEPT THE GIRL IN THE HALLWAY,

WHERE SHE'S BEEN AND WHO SHE WILL RIPEN INTO,

YOUR CHILDHOOD'S ON THE OTHER SIDE

OF A SPRAWLING DIVIDE TOO WIDE.

TAKE SILENT BREATH.

HOLD IN THE CHANGE.

TELL YOURSELF YOU STILL LIVE HERE.

TAKE YOUR BAGS UPSTAIRS.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU'LL GET THROUGH TODAY.

COUNT THE HOURS.

TAKE A SHOWER.

WASH YOURSELF AWAY.

THE HOUSE IS PULSING WITH AN ALIEN HEARTBEAT.

WAS IT ALWAYS HERE BUT YOU NEVER LISTENED?

IT'S CALLING YOU TO BE

THE GIRL THAT YOU WERE WAY BACK THEN AGAIN.

TAKE A SILENT BREATH.

HOLD IN THE CHANGE.

TELL YOURSELF YOU STILL LIVE HERE.

TAKE YOUR BAGS UPSTAIRS.

PUT AWAY YOUR CLOTHES, TAKE IT NICE AND SLOW.

BE THEIR DAUGHTER.

NOTHING'S HARDER WHEN NOBODY KNOWS

HOW TO RETURN HOME.

HOW TO RETURN HOME

AND HOW TO SURVIVE.

THERE'S NO WRITTEN GUIDELINES.

HOW TO GO BACK,

HOW TO SHOW UP AND UNPACK.

HOW TO SHOW UP.

HOW TO GROW UP.

HOW TO TAKE A BREATH.

TAKE A SILENT BREATH.

HOLD IN THE CHANGE.

TELL YOURSELF YOU STILL LIVE HERE.

TAKE YOUR BAGS UPSTAIRS.

YOU STILL SHARE A NAME BUT YOU'RE NOT THE SAME.

YOU DON'T FIGHT IT.

YOU DON'T HIDE IT.

IT'S A WHOLE NEW GAME OF HOW TO RETURN HOME.

HOW TO RETURN HOME.

HOW TO RETURN HOME.

YOUR BARE FEET SLIDING ON THE OLD WOODEN FLOORBOARDS,

HOME JUST AS YOU LEFT IT BUT STILL YOU'RE SHAKEN.

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theaterfan · Newbie

I thought it was beautifully done. It really is fantastic to see how much Laura has grown as a performer and a vocalist since I first saw her perform in community and high school productions.