Let Me Entertain You: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This arrangement transforms a single song into a choreography showcase by building in four distinct musical moods and styles. Larry Shackley's work here gives directors a natural framework for varied staging and movement within one number, meaning you get the dramatic payoff of a full production sequence without needing multiple pieces. Young singers stay engaged across 12 pages because the musical shifts keep them from settling into autopilot.

Expect a rush of theatrical energy and playfulness. The piece zips from vaudeville snap to smoothly swinging groove to lilting romantic waltz before exploding into a raucous finale, all within one song. Your singers will feel the thrill of inhabiting different characters and styles, experiencing how the same melody transforms depending on rhythm, tempo, and attitude.

This octavo works for middle school and high school choirs ready to tackle theatrical numbers with movement and staging. It's equally suited to show choir, general chorus, or musical theater ensembles that want to build confidence with a piece that feels like a complete production moment.

• Clarify the beat changes between sections; the transition from 2-beat to swing to waltz to kick line needs crisp, confident leadership from your conducting so singers stay locked together across style shifts.
• The recorded accompaniment is your choreography partner. Use it in staging rehearsals so dancers and singers internalize the rhythm and energy shifts together before moving to live accompaniment.
• Nail the 2-beat opening with crisp articulation and a snappy tempo; this establishes the theatrical energy that carries through the entire piece.
• In the waltz section, encourage singers to float the melody; this style shift requires a change in weight and phrasing, not just tempo.

This is an ideal centerpiece for a Broadway pops concert or musical theater showcase where you want to demonstrate range and choreographic creativity. It also works as a confidence builder earlier in the season, since the variety of styles means different singers get moments to shine and the built-in staging gives the piece natural visual interest. Consider pairing it with other Styne selections or contrasting show tunes to build a cohesive Broadway set.

• Shifting between 2/4 and 4/4 time signatures fluidly
• Singing in swing style with syncopated articulation
• Sustaining tone in waltz meter without losing musical shape
• Coordinating singing with choreography and staging cues
• Maintaining ensemble balance across multiple tempo and style changes