Scopophilia

MUSICAL INTRODUCTION

[Excrucio, who has been concealed in the scaffolding over a dance rehearsal, tumbles gymnastically through the gridwork to the stage, which the dancers are vacating. Lisa Strata glances at him, their eyes locking for a second, and then she too departs. Unknown to Excrucio, the Chorus remains nearby, kibbitzing, and adding the "Uh-ohs!" in the middle of each recitation of the song's title.]

EXCRUCIO
Floating past, her image is
Like a vision in white!

CHORUS
(Is she even mortal?)

EXCRUCIO
The day's dreary voyages?
Why cannot I take flight?

CHORUS
(Can you even do that?)

EXCRUCIO
Hades heard the breath of spring
Made Persephone his bride.

CHORUS
(He's a man of letters!)

EXCRUCIO
Why else to read lit'rature,
Both nature and nurturer?

CHORUS
(But to make us better.)

EXCRUCIO
Gods in heaven save me from
The lowlife cur that I've become
From sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!
The "male gaze" objectifies
Those female hips and female thighs.
It's sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!
Cues from nature sparking plans--
Like lions' manes and peacocks' fans--
It's sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!
Here at evolution's goal
I can't resist the siren's call of sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!

I exhort her skillful dance
And intelligent mien!

CHORUS
(Should you go and get her?)

EXCRUCIO
How can I, Excrucio,
Meet fair Lisa Strata?

CHORUS
(You could write a letter!)

EXCRUCIO
Though humiliation waits
At the end of my course,

CHORUS
(Down this road you have been!)

EXCRUCIO
I can't halt or neutralize
An irresistible force!

CHORUS
(You could be more Spartan.)


EXCRUCIO
Gods in heaven save me from
The lowlife cur that I've become
From sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!
The 'male gaze' objectifies
Those female hips and female thighs.
It's sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!
Cues in nature sparking plans--
Like lions' manes and peacocks' fans--
It's sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!
Here at evolution's goal,
A hot dog makes me lose control. It's sco--Uh-oh!--pophilia!