Samantha Jacobson

Voice 5

Melissa Ghandour

October 8th 2019

“Always Starting Over”

My first song of the semester is “Always Starting Over” from If/Then. This is a musical

with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. This is a modern musical that

came to premiere at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on March 30th 2014.

If/Then is the story of 38 year old Elizabeth as she searches for a fresh start after

divorcing her husband. Two new friends she meets in New York City both suggest very different

paths they believe that Elizabeth should take; one being to take on the nickname “Liz” and try

new things and the other to go back to her college nickname “Beth” and start making smart

career choices and professional connections. The musical shows the audience both scenarios and

what might happen to Elizabeth on either path. On Liz’s path she meets an army vet named Josh

and starts a life with him. They eventually marry and have two kids together before Josh is killed

on his third tour of duty in the army. On Beth’s path she gets close with Lucas but eventually

breaks things off and focuses on her work. At the end of this path she meets an army doctor

named Josh who has just returned from his third tour in the army.

The original production of this show starred Idina Menzel as Elizabeth. Menzel is known

for many roles, the first of which being Maureen in Rent. She received a Tony nomination for it

in 1996. Since then she has also starred in projects such as Wicked, Glee, Frozen, The Wild Party,

etc. She won the Tony for Elphaba in Wicked in 2004.

 I think this character is so complex because of the two different paths she may or may not

take. It shows the two different sides to her while most other characters keep that other side

internal. It is almost as if the character is more exposed as Elizabeth as a whole person. I think

the most important analysis method is the moment before for this song. The moment before

Elizabeth sings “Always Starting Over” she learns that Josh, the man that she risked everything

to build her whole life around has been killed in the active line of duty. This is very important to

Liz so she can take this song to take it all in and focus on what she can do to move forward.

In the song I think there are a few defining lines that speak a lot to the character and her

development. In the beginning of the song she says “even so, I would love you all over again”.

This means that even though this life did not turn out entirely in her favor, she does not regret the

choices she’s made. Another line that I find really important is “all of the choices that made me,

me”. This is similar to the first line in that she is happy with her choices she’s made but it takes it

a step further by saying that all of these choices she’s made, everything that defined which path

she would be on made her the person she is today and I think she is grateful of that.

I don’t think I am ready to play this character in the next 5-10 years because of all of the

life experiences Elizabeth has had and her age but definitely in the next 10-15 years. It is

definitely in my vocal range and a brilliant and complex character.