WPCNR TIN PAN ALLEY. From John Forster. November 9, 2004: Last night at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Philip Cutrone's impression of Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains convulsed the multitudes at the First Anniversary Gala. Mr. Cutrone sang the following song, White Plains, White Plains, composed by John Forster.
HIZZONNER -- Phil Cutrone does an impression of Mayor Delfino, with composer John Forster at the keyboard Monday evening. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
HIS HONOR, Mayor Joseph Delfino, thanks the Common Council Monday evening, after he was lampooned in song by the White Plains, White Plains number. Photo by WPCNR StageCam
White Plains, White Plains!
©2004 Limousine Music Co. (ASCAP) All rights reserved.
Music & lyrics
By John Forster
Hizzoner: I’m sorry I’m late. On the way over I had to stop by a funeral. Actually, two funerals. OK, four funerals and a wedding…at which I officiated. And then I was hungry so I nipped by the Star Diner for some pea soup. But here I am, to talk about my favorite subject in the whole wide world…
White Plains, White Plains,
The pains that you’ve been through,
The fiscal woes, the boarded rows.
But now we start anew.
Your industries are churning,
Your tax base is returning.
White Plains,
What plans we have for you.
Not crazy plans, where development goes nuts.
No, reality-based plans. For a human city, a walking city, where you can cool off in the fountain as you stroll from Starbucks to the Buddhist temple.
Where you can pick up your child at the Day Care Center, your mom at the Senior Center, your glasses at the Vision Center, your frozen dinner at the Diet Center, your test results at the Medical Center…well you get the idea. And you know what? We’re so close.
White Plains, White Plains,
You’ve proven one thing true:
That when we work together
There is nothing we can’t do.
Exciting public spaces,
A waterfront oasis,
A high rise by Capelli,
That includes a kosher deli
(We’re still negotiating that),
A bark park that’s so pretty,
An Israeli sister city,
A repertory theater,
A beautiful 400 seater.
Look at all we’ve done,
Look how far we’ve come
In carving out a little piece of heaven.
Phases 1 and 2 and 3
Have gone so brilliantly
It’s time for Phases 4, 5, 6 and 7.
White Plains, White Plains,
What plans we have for you!
The stadium, the opera house,
The space port and the zoo.
And hosting the Olympics in 2032.
White Plains,
What plans we have for you!
Let’s face it by comparison,
Mamaroneck and Harrison
Are sleepy little hamlets on the sound,
Not like this gorgeous phoenix
That’s risen from a big hole in the ground.
White Plains, White Plains,
Behold! The dream comes true!
White Plains,
What plans we have for you!
©2004 Limousine Music Co. (ASCAP) All rights reserved.
--Presented November 8, 2004 at a Gala Benefit honoring Mayor Joseph Delfino at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. Hizzoner
was played by Phil Cutrone with John Forster at the piano.
John Forster and his spouse at the Gala. Mr. Forster has composed award-winning albums for the Olsen Twins, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on Tom Chapin's album, In My Hometown. He recently wrote book and lyrics for a musical version of Freaky Friday with music by its original author Mary Rodgers. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.
