Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets): SAB Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the playful antagonism between male and female voices that makes the original so theatrical without requiring elaborate staging or choreography. Sally K. Albrecht's adaptation respects Adler's original wit while giving SAB choirs genuine musical independence, especially when the women's parts take center stage. It's a genuine crowd-pleaser that teaches phrasing, comedic timing, and ensemble blend in a package your singers will actually want to rehearse.

Confident, flirtatious, and unapologetically fun. The melody has a jazz-inflected swagger, and the lyrical content creates an irresistible tension between the two voices. This is a piece that makes singers smile the moment they hear it and gives audiences permission to enjoy pure theatrical delight.

This octavo works especially well for treble-heavy programs or mixed choirs looking for a showstopper that doesn't demand classical voice production. The flexibility of SAB versus SSA voicing makes it accessible for middle school through adult community choirs, and the Broadway source material appeals to singers who want repertoire with immediate personality.

• Treat the text like spoken dialogue set to music. The humor lands only when singers articulate clearly and shape their phrases conversationally, not operatically.
• Emphasize the rhythmic precision of the men's responses to the women's phrases. This call-and-response structure only works if both sections lock in together.
• Work the dynamics gradually. Start the women's initial statements at a moderate level so you have room to build the sassy attitude as the song progresses.
• Let the recorded accompaniment set the groove, then ask your singers to find where they sit within it rather than fighting against the tempo.

Slot this into a pops concert or a program built around Broadway classics, where it can serve as your anchor showstopper without overwhelming the surrounding repertoire. It also works perfectly as a finale number or a break between heavier classical selections, giving your audience a chance to relax and enjoy some theatrical glamour. Consider pairing it with other mid-century standards to build a cohesive period set.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated patterns and jazz-influenced articulation
• Dynamic contrast and phrasing for comedic effect
• Ensemble blend and response across divided choir sections
• Text clarity and conversational delivery at tempo
• Balancing personality with vocal control in popular music styles