Tell Me Why (From "A Man of No Importance"): Piano/Vocal/Chords
Tell Me Why (From "A Man of No Importance") Sheet Music Preview

Tell Me Why (From "A Man of No Importance"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

Ed. Lisa DeSpain

Item: 00-PS-0010490
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$4.99

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Description
For aspiring and professional singers who love Broadway, Alfred's Singer's Library of Musical Theatre presents an elegant collection of the best-loved musical theatre songs in their original keys, authentically transcribed from their original vocal scores. Perfect for study, and equally suitable for the most important auditions and performances, each volume is dedicated to a specific vocal range, and contains dozens of songs from a variety of shows that span decades of theatre history. Multiple volumes are available for each of four vocal ranges: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano/Alto, Tenor, and Baritone/Bass. Authoritative historical and contextual commentary, audition tips, and 16-bar cut suggestions for each song make it the most useful and relevant song library of its kind.

Titles: My Own Best Friend (Chicago) * Back on Base (Closer Than Ever) * That Mister Man of Mine (Dames At Sea) * A Little Brains, A Little Talent (Damn Yankees) * Something of My Own (Dessa Rose) * Ladies (Destry Rides Again) * I Know the Truth (Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida") * Holding to the Ground (Falsettos) * Think of Meryl Streep (Fame: The Musical) * A Little Girl From Little Rock (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) * Lazy Afternoon (The Golden Apple) * What Is a Woman? I Do, I Do) * Old Friend (I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road) * Last Midnight (Into The Woods) * Moments in the Woods (Into The Woods) * Somewhere That's Green (Little hop of Horrors) * West End Avenue (The Magic Show) * Tell Me Why (A Man of No Importance) * Take It on the Chin (Me and My Girl) * Like It Was (Merrily We Roll Along) * The Music Still Plays On A New Brain) * Mad About the Boy (Oh! Coward) * It's a Fine Life (Oliver!) * How Can I Wait? (Paint Your Wagon) * Zip (Pal Joey) * My Cousin in Milwaukee (Pardon My English) * Notice Me Horton (Seussical the Musical) * Wonderful, Wonderful Day (Seven Brides For Seven Brothers) * What Nice Idea (Two Gentlemen of Verona) * If You Hadn't but You Did (Two on the Aisle ) * Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz) * Millwork (Working).

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Over The Rainbow from The Wizard Of Oz

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Additional Details
Series: Singer's Library of Musical Theatre
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 224
SKU: 00-PS-0010490

More about this title

About the Composer: Stephen Flaherty

Stephen Flaherty is a composer whose work spans Broadway, film, and concert music. He has written scores for shows including Ragtime, Anastasia, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet, earning Tony nominations and establishing himself as a distinctive voice in contemporary musical theatre.

Flaherty's compositional approach balances accessibility with harmonic sophistication, creating songs that work equally well in intimate audition rooms and large theatres. His melodies tend toward singability without sacrificing emotional depth, making his scores valuable for singers at all levels who want to explore contemporary musical writing.

Why we love this

This single song gives you access to a score written by a composer whose theatrical instincts are impeccable. "Tell Me Why" from A Man of No Importance carries the warmth and character specificity that define Flaherty's best work, making it a rewarding choice for singers who want material that feels both performable and dramatically grounded.

What to expect

The song carries an intimate tenderness, with the kind of harmonic language that feels modern without being cold. There's a theatrical warmth here, a sense that the character has something real at stake when asking "tell me why."

Who it's for

This is for singers preparing auditions or recitals who want contemporary material that demands vocal maturity and interpretive intelligence. It works equally well for professionals refreshing their audition book and advanced amateurs seeking songs beyond the standard canon.

How to get the most out of it

  • Study the original context of the scene. Knowing where this song lives in the show's narrative will inform your phrasing choices and emotional coloring, especially in how you handle the lyrical passages.
  • Locate the song's emotional center before diving into technique. Flaherty writes for character, so discovering what this moment means to the person singing it will make the music feel alive rather than polished.
  • Pay attention to where the accompaniment gives you room to breathe and where it locks you into a tempo. Use those distinctions to shape your interpretation without pulling the music out of shape.

How to use it

This fits naturally into a cabaret or audition recital focused on contemporary musical theatre, particularly one that emphasizes character-driven songs over pure vocal display. It also pairs well with other Flaherty material or with songs from contemporary Broadway shows that value storytelling.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing contemporary harmonic language with fluency and ease
  • Building character specificity through lyrical interpretation
  • Managing dynamic control in intimate musical theatre moments
  • Understanding how accompaniment and vocal line interact in modern theatre composition

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