The Smallest Thing (from "First Lady Suite"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

LaChisua's songs reward close listening and repeat performance. His harmonic language sits somewhere between classical art song and contemporary pop sensibility, giving singers rich material to explore while remaining singable in a studio or rehearsal setting. For pianists, the accompaniments balance rhythmic specificity with interpretive freedom, making each song feel fresh on every run-through.

LaChisua's songs inhabit a world of emotional specificity and harmonic sophistication. You encounter intimate moments of vulnerability, flashes of wit and irony, and full emotional commitment, often within the same piece. The music feels both contemporary and timeless, rooted in character psychology rather than formula.

This collection serves singers preparing audition material from contemporary musical theatre, pianists building an accompaniment library for coaching or rehearsal, and music students studying how a major composer approaches character-driven songwriting. Voice teachers and musical theatre programs will find 39 distinct pieces across various styles, moods, and vocal ranges within this single resource.

• Study the chord symbols alongside the notated piano part to understand LaChisua's harmonic choices; this awareness shapes phrasing and color.
• Approach the lyrical material as text first; the music follows the emotional arc of the words, so clear diction and storytelling intention matter as much as vocal technique.
• Let the piano accompaniment breathe and respond to the singer's phrasing rather than pushing through at a strict tempo, especially in the more introspective songs.
• Identify the specific moment or emotional turning point in each song and build your interpretation around that climax, rather than treating the whole piece as one dynamic level.

Cast this collection as a master class on contemporary musical theatre songwriting, or curate selections for a cabaret-style performance that showcases the breadth of LaChisua's storytelling. Individual songs work beautifully as audition material, while grouping pieces from the same show offers singers a chance to explore a composer's work across an entire project.

• Interpreting contemporary theatrical melody with classical art song sensibility
• Balancing harmonic complexity with clear lyrical communication
• Working with piano accompaniments that require both precision and flexibility
• Understanding character motivation as a foundation for musical phrasing
• Reading chord symbols and using them as a guide to harmonic context and color