STOP THE WORLD. . !

Many moons ago my family used to go to the neighborhood summer stock theater, spurred on by my brother's playing clarinet in the orchestra, to watch various musicals. One show they mounted, now rarely performed, was Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's Stop the World--I Want to Get Off, with the circus as a backdrop.The title says everything, which may be why the musical didn't flourish.The central character, Littlechap, portrayed in the original show by Anthony Newley, bemoans life's complexities by literally stopping the show to give a monologue about his anxieties. Some memorable songs do move the plot along, including the climatic "What Kind of Fool Am I?", describing how Littlechap learns, too late, that his wife's love had been his raison d'etre and financial success couldn't fill the void.

Produced for the Queen's Theatre, London's West End, in 1961 and later filmed (as a staged production by Warner Bros. in 1966), Stop the World had limited box office success but revitalized Anthony Newley's career. Newley co-starred in the film, Dr. Doolittle, and along with Bricusse wrote the songs and lyrics to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, still a popular favorite. (Moreover another multi-talented performer, Sammy Davis, Jr., benefited from starring in a later production, boosting his television, movie and recording popularity.)

Substantiated by theatre critics, one reason Stop the World-- floundered is that the show opened during the last vestiges of musical popularity. On Broadway, few productions in the 1960's drew in audiences, and even fewer had serious overtones such as West Side Story. Then, why do I remember Stop the World--I Want to Get Off  since I was six or seven when I saw it? Because the show was ahead of its time for the book or story encapsulated the sentiment many feel today.

Let me state that the musical does not advocate suicide only wanting to step away from the madness, to take a moment to vent then see what's truly important. Littlechap also recognizes that having a passion to succeed shouldn't overwhelm your life to the point where you omit your loved ones.

I'd like to see a re-staging of Stop the World--, maybe tweaking some songs and re-inventing the production for our times. Sadly, Anthony Newley has since passed away, and whether Bricusse would endorse a re-staging is unknown; even so their messages in the show remain contemporary: What's the point of "making it" if we ignore those we love? How can we commit to any career or artistic endeavor and sacrifice those who have been there for us during our struggle?

Increasing numbers of workers have been spread thin. Also, ADD/ADHD diagnoses, stemming from genetics, over-stimulation in our technical age and other environmental pressures, keeps many from juggling the stressors of the third millennium. Writers often need isolation to create whereas others need isolation to decompress. Whether you are a taxi driver, firefighter, environmentalist, scientist, musician, manager, working parent or mayor; whether you have ADD, anxiety issues or you're mentally "fit," I'm sure all of us have wanted to slow down this maddening world we live in. If only we could snap our fingers and stop-motion the action, but that power would be abused like an episode from The Twilight Zone.

Quiet time to daydream, to invent, to create, to find direction, to visualize the future as a result of our actions, helps us focus and rejuvenate. It certainly would improve our world though not solve all its problems. Littlechap, the hero of Stop the World--I Want to Get Off realizes there will always be struggles; men (and women) will aspire to achieve, keeping the world running. Nevertheless, he reminds his audience that the brass ring, the ultimate success, shouldn't be dictated by society, individual insecurities/neuroses or an innate need to "show" the world he's a winner (our hero rises through the ranks of factory work to become rich and a politician). Simplifying one's life, not obsessing over material gain, not envying what others' have or resenting what we don't only helps us achieve an inner peace: these are universal truths. Littlechap recalls, in his old age, about his overlooking those life lessons. He has forfeited love for the  false admiration of his peers and the ennui of the bourgeois. To regain his moral center, Littlechap must make a startling sacrifice.

In my view as our world has changed so much since the musical debuted, and trying to save our planet with constructive solutions, not angry tirades that solve little and only antagonize without changing others minds, is a noble cause (Hair, another rare success during the sixties, has a similar theme). We must find a link that unites all that are oppressed by the greed of the few. I believe that the best intentions must start within our own community, within our families, and within ourselves. Because if we get to the edge of this world's madness and want to shout, Stop the World--I Want to Get Off, do so as we remember to love ourselves, partners, children, friends and community. Then you can strive to make an impact on others. Barack Obama has done this on a macro level, arguably with substantial success, but so have the woman who works two jobs at Stop & Shop and the farmer who tends his cranberry bogs.

Yes, there are many who rightfully feel angry about the state of our global community, corporate greed, and social injustice. Still, when they come home at night, I hope they remember that channeling that criticism into useful actions, staying with their platform and forging ahead will make significant change. Never forget, though, that love within our lives will keep that energy moving forward. We may want to get off this world, find refuge in doing so; however, it should never be at the expense of love. For when we reach our later years, do we want to say to ourselves, or sing in Littlechap's case: "What Kind of Fool Am I?"