Bit by bit, putting it together Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art Every moment makes a contribution Every little detail plays a part Having just a vision's no solution Everything depends on execution Putting it together (That's what counts)
Ounce by ounce, putting it together Small amounts, adding up to make a work of art First of all you need a good foundation Otherwise it's risky from the start Takes a lot of earnest conversation But without the proper preparation Having just a vision's no solution Everything depends on execution The art of making art, is putting it together Bit by bit
Note by note, working on projection Lips, teeth, throat, looking for a moment to inhale Keeping the emotional connection Even when your fellow actors fail Pointing at the subtext by inflection Helping your director reach perfection Even though you have a strong objection To the way he's handling the direction
Art isn't easy Every minor detail Is a major decision Have to keep things in scale Have to hold to your vision
Even though you're feeling apprehensive That you're looking bland and inoffensive And you wish your wardrobe was extensive Don't forget that Spangles are expensive
The light, Ralph A little to the right, Ralph It isn't very bright, Ralph And must it be so tight, Ralph Thank you, he does that every night
Beat by beat, losing inhibition Head, hands, feet, trying to relax, but not too much Trying to lay out the exposition But without exposing it as such Trying to perform but not audition Trying to establish recognition Trying to persuade the electrician That he should destroy the competition
Art isn't easy Every word, every line Every glance, every movement You improve and refine And refine each improvement
Bit by bit, putting it together Piece by piece, working out the vision night and day What it takes is time and perseverance Dealing with details along the way Dealing with Producer's interference Waiting for the Author's disappearance Filling up the holes with animation Covering the flaws in the construction Wiping all the scenic ostentation Knowing it's a "Macintosh" production Working for a tiny compensation Hoping for a thunderous ovation The art of making art is putting it together Bit by Bit Part by Part Fit by Fit Start by Start, Stride by Stride Kick by Kick, Glide by Glide Schtick by Schtick, Side by Side by Side by Side by Side by Side. And that is the state of the art.