Like I Like It
Last year we did a staged reading of a relatively new musical, Like You LIke It, an 80s musical retelling of Shakespeare's As You Like It. The shepherd people have become Phil and Sylvie, two high school best friends. Their songs are my life. She's in red, he's in blue, they're both in purple. I sang this with the BBF this weekend.
We've been pals a zillion years
But we could be so much more!
Sure, we've been the two musketeers,
But we could be so much more!
I've been the shoulder you can cry on,
And you've been my piece of the rock,
But lately, I admit, I've had my eye on you;
Oh yeah, I know, I mean, what a shock!
I look at you and see a guy
Who could be so much more than a friend.
Look at me - I'm a girl! Hi!
Let me be much more than a friend!
Everybody thinks that we're together -
Let's go prove 'em right,
And then tomorrow night on your pleather couch
We won't be watching Betty White!
Can't you read my neon sign?
Don't you want some more out of me?
Don't you think I'm fine?
There's so much more to me than you see!
More, more, more, and more,
More and more, and then some more and more,
Tackle me down to the floor!
You're, like, the perfect woman -
You came with me to see Star Trek 3.
You're always there beside me,
Watching MTV.
You're my pictionary partner,
And we always win the game.
You're asking for more,
But I want more of the same.
I love your eyes, your smile,
The way you chortle at a joke
Like that time I ragged on Jarro(?)
And you spat out your Coke.
You're my favourite Debby Allen
When we're reenacting FAME.
You deserve so much more,
But I want more of the same.
More of hangin' at the iHop,
More of sharing our dessert,
Of being there for each other
When we're hurt.
Yes, and leaning in to kiss me,
Your hands resting on my face.
Why can't we pick up the pace
And have more?
In a perfect world I'd be Emilio,
You'd be Demi Moore, and we'd be hot.
There's just one little problem:
You're ready. I'm not.
I love you like a sister,
Who else would I adore?
If we ended up together and it ended,
I would lose you, and so much more.
And then Phil comes out to Sylvie.
Oh my God, you're sure?
Wait, you're...no.
Yeah, all right.
All those times we watched
Matt Dillon - duh, okay.
Never had a chance, of course not,
Now it all makes sense - Bette Midler!
Sure, was I dumb, no surprise.
I'm not mad at you.
If you're happy, then I'm happy -
These aren't tears in my eyes.
A friend's better than nothing,
That's my consolation prize.
I'm not losing you,
I'm just watching as my dignity
Withers and finally dies,
But I'll hold on to something;
That's my consolation prize.
So you think you're such a loser?
Thanks a lot.
Is that all I am to you, some turtle wax?
Go and tell it to Pat Sajak
If you want some Rice-a-Roni
Find your own lifetime's supply!
I am not your toy, not a monchichi -
I'm someone no one objectifies.
I thought I was your best friend,
Not a consolation prize.
You're still my consolation prize. / I'm no one's consolation prize.
This is not about you.
And it's not about you.
No, it's not about you!
Yeah, it's not about you!
But if it's not about me...
And it's not about me...
Then it's something that we
Have to go through alone.
Run away from me -
I can't look at you!
Who needs you?
I can cut all our ties.
I wish I hated you,
Wish I didn't care,
Wish I could say it's the end,
But I would have nothing -
No consolation if
I don't have my best friend.
You can listen to little snippets of the songs here if you click "Sylvie's Question," "Phil's Answer," or, my favourite, "Slyvie's Reaction."