My short musical, “It’s the End of the World & I Love You” is being performed this week at the Kuala Lumpur Short & Sweet Musical Festival 2017. It’s being directed by fellow writer and director Terence Toh — though he admits this is his first hand at directing a musical. I think he’ll do great.

 

I’m so sad that I won’t be able to see it live. But hey, there’s always video. And to commemorate the week, I’d like to leave the lyrics of the entire 10-minute musical below for your perusal. It’s a piece that is a lot of fun. I hope to get to produce it myself again in the future. Here you go. Enjoy!

It’s the End of the World and I Love You

A Short Musical

 

Lyrics by Mark W. Sasse

Music by Mark W. Sasse

 

Synopsis: In the split second before an atomic bomb destroys the world, two lovers sing a 10-minute musical.

Cast of Characters:         Husband & Wife

(optional) Ensemble

 

HUSBAND

Are you ready, dear? Wow, you look fantastic

WIFE

Thank you, dear, I’m nearly ready to go.

BOTH

And you made the reservations, right? I thought …

Now what do you suggest we do? Calm down. Calm down.

I thought I gave that job to you. Calm down. Calm down.

WIFE

I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go.

HUSBAND

Take a deep breath we’ll go with the flow?

Maybe the night will surprise us.

WIFE

I don’t like to be surprised.

(Suddenly an atomic explosion rings out and they witness a mushroom cloud forming in front of them. He is standing in awe, and she in disbelief.)

 

HUSBAND

It’s the end of the world, and I love you!

it’s the end of our life; full payment is due;

It’s the end of the world and I love you

so hold my hand, love

walk to our new life above

 

To the forest’s edge; it’s just a short trip

we’ll have a front row seat at the apocalypse

I’ll wear my best tie; you wear your red dress

cause there’s obviously no way out of this mess

we’ll kiss once more at the fireworks display

a gas mask is the accessory of the day

cause how can we compete with nuclear fission

someone dropped a bomb and completed their mission

I’m just a wishin’

they would have missed

but since they didn’t

why not kiss?

(one last time)

It’s the end of the world, and I love you!

It’s the end of our life; nothing more we can do;

It’s the end of the world and I love you

I’m happy to know, I’m here with you when life is through

 

WIFE

Pause.

There’s so many things that I enjoy about him,

He’s sweet, he’s kind

His kisses are sublime

But I hope you can tell by his latest thought

That at times he can be a complete idiot!

 

I can’t accept this fate

I have 50 years left I will not be moved

Just what is a mushroom cloud?

When I have resolve and rage in my heart.

Rage, rage, rage against the night,

And you could do more than just want to kiss (so typical)

Don’t go without a fight,

We fight for more than a moment left in time

Defiance, Defiance, Defiance, Defiance

Don’t resign to fate

Our more than 50 years still ahead (you listening?)

I want grandchildren

I want to hold them tight, safe secure, first we must endure,

Rage, rage against the night

And wipe that silly expression off your face (so comical)

This song we must re-write

This dress is meant for so much more than just an Ash Wednesday party,

Defiance, defiance, defiance, defiance!

 

HUSBAND

Calm Down Calm down

What is it dear?

WIFE

A thought I cannot bear.

 

You see fireworks I see flames

You see a final kiss, I see pain,

You say chill and I say run

You say stay, but I’m Attila the Hun

 

HUSBAND

You see ending I see your lips

You see crying I see a last kiss

You see heartache but I’ll admit

One moment with you is not so easy to quit

 

This might indeed be what we call the end

So let’s do what we couldn’t if we were just friends?

 

WIFE
You see a requiem, I see escape,

HUSBAND

You see a glimmer, but I see a drape,

WIFE

You see a final kiss, but I’ll admit

BOTH

One moment with you is not so easy to quit

HUSBAND

You should ask her about Y2K.

WIFE
Don’t bring that up.

HUSBAND

She built a bunker where we could stay,

WIFE
Would you shut up?

HUSBAND

And ever since she’s been putting canned beans away,

A case and a half every other day.

WIFE

Nothing wrong with a little foresight,

HUSBAND

You call that little?

WIFE

If we can get there you’d be contrite,

HUSBAND

I’d rather kiss.

WIFE
Would you rather be blown to smithereens,

Or live comfortably underground on 20 years of beans?

HUSBAND

She has 3000 pinto and 2000 black soy

Enough in itself to power fat man and little boy,

she thinks she can stop that from what it will destroy

by merely phoning Olympus like she’s Helen of Troy

WIFE

What do you want from me?

HUSBAND

Look danger in the mouth,

and smile when it’s near,

you’ll always be surprised of how few things that you fear,

if you eat a frog first thing in the morning,

a mushroom cloud will surely seem quite boring,

So purge your thoughts,

forget your past,

release your hopes,

and concentrate on the blast,

its magnificent power,

like the beating of my heart,

grip my hand and we’ll be split apart

WIFE

Just, just a moment ago

I was standing here my future all planned out when this

Cloud shielded my view

Of my futuristic fantasy of

1.7 kids and 2.7 dogs and

Years of PTO and teenager BO

But this big bang nightmare

ruined my eveningwear

HUSBAND

What’s wrong?

WIFE
It’s not the bomb.

HUSBAND

Then what’s wrong.

WIFE

I’m not that strong.

HUSBAND

What’s wrong

WIFE

This little song

HUSBAND

What’s wrong

WIFE

It’s not so long

HUSBAND

What’s wrong

WIFE

We don’t belong,

HUSBAND

What’s wrong

WIFE
Caught in this song

HUSBAND

What’s wrong

WIFE
This great big bomb

HUSBAND

What’s wrong?

WIFE

Does not belong

In our love song

HUSBAND

(speaking) What’s wrong?

WIFE

Tonight of all nights was the night of all nights

When I would tell you you’re having a son.

HUSBAND

A son?

WIFE
It’s okay. We can all go together now

 

To the forest’s edge; it’s just a short trip

To our front row seats at the apocalypse

HUSBAND

I’ll wear my best tie;

WIFE

I’ll wear my red dress

BOTH

cause there’s obviously no way out of this mess

we’ll kiss once more at the fireworks display

a pacifier will be the accessory of the day

cause how can we compete with nuclear fission

someone dropped a bomb and completed their mission

I’m just a wishin’

they would have missed

but since they didn’t

why not kiss?

(one last time)

It’s the end of the world, and I love you!

It’s the end of our life; nothing more we can do; (I finally understand what you’ve been going through.)

It’s the end of the world and I love you

I’m happy to know, we’re a family when our life is through.