Lee Adams Follow

"Welcome to the theatre, to the magic, to the fun
Where painted trees and flowers grow, and laughter rings fortissimo
And treachery's neatly done.
Now you've entered the asylum, this profession unique
actors are children playing hide-and-ego-seek.

So welcome, Miss Eve Harrington, to this business we call show.
You're on your way to wealth and fame
Unsheathe your claws, enjoy the game
You'll be a witch but they'll know your name from New York to Kokomo
So welcome to the theatre, my dear, you'll love it so!

Welcome to the dirty concrete hallways
Welcome to the friendly roaches, too
Welcome to the pinches form the stangehands, it's the only quite thing they do!
Welcome to PHiladelphia critics
Welcome to Librium and Nembutal
Welcome to a life of laryngitis
Welcome to dark toilets in the hall

Welcome to the plot you thougth would run for years.
Welcome to a world of fears and cheers and tears.
So, welcome to the theatre with some luck you'll be a pro.
you'll work and lsave and scratch and bite
You'll learn to kill with sheer delight
You'll only come alive at night, when you're in a show.

So welcome, to the theatre-you fool, you'll love it so!"