Superspy!: The S-e-c-r-e-t Musical







lyrics by composer & Joel Shatzky;
for Soprano, Mezzo, Tenor, and Two Baritones with Piano
(in two acts, c. 2 hrs.)

18 numbers

1) I Am I - Or Am I?
2) We're Right Because We're Right
3) Why Do I Love Him?
4) The Geneticist's Song
5) The SDI Waltz (arr. of op. 87, text by composer)
6) Deniability
7) Side by Side With Cyanide
8) Just a Little Favor
9) A Girl Without Morals
10) Act I Finale
11) I Am I - Why Do I Love Him?
12) Tell Me, What Is Love?
13) Superspy
14) The Real Realpolitik
15) Superspy - Realpolitik
16) A Cure for Everything
17) The Glorious War Song
18) Act II Finale: An Upbeat Ending


#11, 2, 5, 9, 6, & 13-15 previewed by Helene Williams & composer 3/6/88
at Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra chamber concert and
on "Contrasts" concert series at Tom O'Horgan's in New York;
first complete public reading at First St. Playhouse, Ithaca, NY 3/20/88


revised as one-act cabaret for two people (48')

14 numbers

1) The Real Realpolitik
2) I Am I... Or Am I? - Why Do I Love Him?
3) We're Right Because We're Right Because We're Right
4) The Geneticist's Song
5) The SDI Waltz-also watchable on YouTube in performance of June 23, 1991
6) Deniability
7) Side by Side with Cyanide
8) Just A Little Favor
9) A Girl Without Morals
10) Tell Me, What Is Love? - recorded on Capstone #CPS-8647: Helene Williams sings Songs of Love
also watchable on YouTube in performance of May 24, 2013
11) Superspy - title song; also watchable on YouTube in performance of June 18, 2011
12) A Cure for Everything
13) An Upbeat Ending
14) Superspy-Realpolitik (Encore)

The New Improved Superspy
premiered in 2014 at Medicine Show, 549 West 52 St., Manhattan,
Fri. Feb. 7 at 8pm; Sat. Feb. 15 at 3pm; Sun. Feb. 23 at 3pm.
Click here for Calendar for New Music notice.
Click here for write-up by Ted Merwin in The Jewish Week.
Additional viewer comments:
"A very clever and extremely entertaining show. Williams and Lehrman take us through a generous collection of very witty songs tied together with a theme that advances this spoof of cold war thrillers. The characters, and there are many, are portrayed with tremendous vigor, in accents and impressions that call to mind the comedy of Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, for those who still remember them. The concept may be cold war, but it has been brought right up-to-date about our current politics, with hilarious numbers about drones and the NSA. Great fun and points well taken!"
-- Margery Nathanson
"Everyone who loves hearing beautifully articulated diction and imaginative lyrics, RUSH to SUPERSPY! Helene and Leonard do a marvelous job in this piece. It is a thought-provoking political satire, and while you may not always agree with the points of view, your brain will be constantly activated by this creative couple's imaginative attention to lyrics and composition, reminding one of Noel Coward and Gilbert & Sullivan. Go see it!!!"
--Jacqueline Kroschell
"A thoroughly enjoyable, lighthearted musical, musically and vocally very satisfying. There's tremendous energy and no dearth of social consciousness, with up-to-date topicality, as the performers literally wear their many hats."
-- Renée Vera Cafiero

New order of songs (2013-14):