The Lyrics
The Lyrics
Audition Song Lyrics
"Perfect Enough"
VERSE 1
I used to chase perfection,
Someone else’s expectation.
I'm not perfect, I’m not flawless —
I’m just a work in progress.
Each scar, each tear, each fall I take,
Reminds me I’m not some mistake.
So I face the world ahead of me
And grow right where I’m planted.
CHORUS
Cause I am me… perfect me.
And I’m just about as perfect,
As perfect can be.
I am me… perfect me.
I am Flawless Faultless, Absolute
I’m Rad, I’m Fleek I’m Dope On Point
I am Me
Yes I’m absolutely perfect
And that’s enough for me
Act 1 Song Lyrics
I. We Know You’ll Shine
Verse 1
Every morning starts the same,
Sometimes joy and sometimes pain.
We’ll see the world take root in you,
Learning love, we never knew.
You’ll find your voice, you’ll find your way,
And you will listen when we say —
You never know what lies ahead,
But you’ll keep faith in what we’ve said.
Chorus
We know you’ll shine, we know you’ll fly,
You’ll paint with laughter in the sky.
When strong winds blow, you’ll learn to bend,
You’ll find your courage once again.
We know you’ll shine —
We know, we know, we know you will shine.
Verse 2
We dream of perfect, then learn what’s true,
The world gets hard, but you’ll push through.
We plant the seeds, then step aside,
And trust your heart to be your guide.
Chorus 2
We know you’ll shine, we know you’ll see,
You’ll grow from roots into a giant tree.
When strong winds blow, you’ll learn to bend,
You’ll find your courage once again.
We know you’ll shine —
We know, we know, you will shine.
Bridge
One day you’ll go where we can’t go,
You’ll chase the dreams we used to know.
And as your story finds its start,
You’ll carry home inside your heart.
Final Chorus
We know you’ll shine, we know you’ll grow,
Wherever winds of living blow.
If storms arrive, you’ll still be strong —
You’ve had that courage all along.
You’ll bloom with laughter, love, and time,
Our faith in you, a steady sign.
We know you’ll shine —
We know, we know, you will shine!
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II. She’s Perfect (Listen Here)
Soft piano and strings. Two parents gaze lovingly at their new baby.
MOTHER (spoken, in awe)
She’s perfect!
FATHER (spoken, beaming)
Absolutely perfect.
MOTHER (spoken)
And her name must be everything she is.
FATHER (spoken)
Yes — her name must be absolutely perfect.
(music begins softly, rocking rhythm)
VERSE 1 — MOTHER
Every curl, every sigh, every finger and toe,
Every dream we’ve ever dreamed is wrapped up in you.
You’re the proof of every prayer,
A work of art, a Molière —
Oh, you’re perfect… absolutely perfect.
VERSE 2 — FATHER
Tiny hands, button nose, a heart as pure as gold.
You’re perfect and precious — it’s true, or so we're told.
She’ll dance before she walks. And sing before she talks —
You’ll fix your own dinner and walk to school by yourself—
MOTHER (spoken, firm but loving)
Uh… NO.
BRIDGE — BOTH
She’ll bloom just like her name someday,
And chase the clouds away!
MOTHER (sings, tenderly)
A name to match her perfect grace —
A name everyone will embrace —
(Music swells. Lights bloom gold and lavender as they lift the baby.)
ENSEMBLE (reprise)
She’s perfect — absolutely perfect!
And her name must be everything she is
She’s perfect — absolutely perfect!
And her name must be absolutely perfect
Perfectly Perfect, she was...
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III. Chrysanthemum (Listen Here)
CHRYSANTHEMUM (singing)
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Verse 1
I like the way it sounds, whispered quietly,
Spoken out loud or spoken privately.
I like the way it sounds when my dad calls out,
"Dinner is served, we’re having sauerkraut."
Chorus
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
MOM (singing) Thirteen letters on your birthday cake…
DAD (singing) Took you five years to spell it for goodness' sake!
MOM & DAD (singing)
We know it’s perfect and it’s cool,
It’s not like any other name at school!
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
(Bridge)
And oooooh… I’m perfect …. just like my name!
And oooooh…. it’s perfect…. just like me!
Verse 2
I like the way it looks on an envelope,
And even looks sweet carved in a cantaloupe.
I like the way it looks when I scribble it down,
With my big fat orange coloring crayon.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh we like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Oh we like the way it sounds…
Oh we like the way it sounds…
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IV. Jane Is a Very Nice Name
CHRYSANTHEMUM (singing, dreamlike)
Jane is a very nice name,
A name that comes with no shame.
Four letters is nice, I can spell that name twice,
Jane is a very nice name…
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V. My Name Is Just the Perfect Length (Listen Here)
(children sing this as they circle around, taunting Chrysanthemum)
Chorus
My name is just the perfect length (sung by group one kids)
My Name is just the perfect length (sung by group two kids)
My name is just the perfect length (sung by group one kids)
My Name is just the perfect length (sung by group two kids)
Verse 1
Not too many letters… that is always better.
Short and sweet and keep it neat
3 or 4 letters, your name’s complete
Chorus
My name is just the perfect length (sung by group one kids)
My Name is just the perfect length (sung by group two kids)
My name is just the perfect length (sung by group one kids)
My Name is just the perfect length (sung by group two kids)
Verse
A rose by any other name, will still smell just as sweet.
But Chrysanthemum is way too long,
a name like that doesn’t fit in song
Chorus
My name is just the perfect length (sung by group one kids)
My Name is just the perfect length (sung by group two kids)
My name is just the perfect length (fade out)
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VI. Worst Nightmare of My Life (Tap Your Fears Away) Listen Here
NARRATOR: (Vincent Price style)
When nighttime casts its eerie gloom,
And dreams invade your silent room,
When shadows stretch and softly creep,
Strange things can happen while you sleep…
(whispers overlap: night…mare… shhh… she’s dreaming…)
CHRYSANTHEMUM:
Am I the only flower in a field of weeds,
Hoping that someone please intercedes.
I spin, I run, I scream — you scream!
Is anything real inside this dream?
They circle ’round and chant my name,
Twisting my name like an awful game.
They smelled me, they picked me, ‘til every petal was gone
This dream is on the verge of a nightmare marathon.
CAMEO KIDS: (rapid-fire, one after another)
Kid 1: I showed up at school — with my homework still at home!
Kid 2: Everyone was staring at me — ’cause I wasn’t wearing clothes!
Kid 3: The dentist said “What’s happened?” all my teeth had fallen OUT!
Kid 4: I tripped… I slipped… I FELL off a cliiiiiff!
Kid 5: A dragon chased me through the town —
Kid 6: Well last night I was chased by a clown!
ENSEMBLE:
Nightmares here! Nightmares there!
Nightmares, nightmares everywhere!
MOM:
We heard you tossing in your bed — distressed! Disturbed! Uneasy!
DAD:
So we brought your favorite board game — a quick game of Parcheesi!
CHRYSANTHEMUM:
…Seriously?
MOM:
A shuffle here, a ball-change there—
And poof! your worries disappear!
DAD:
Just tap your feet….uh tappity -tap,
Those scary thoughts go snappity snap!
MOM & DAD:
Yes you can tap your fears away!
ENSEMBLE:
Tap ’em away! Tap ’em away!
ENSEMBLE:
Tap your fears away!
ENSEMBLE:
Tap ’em away! Tap ’em away!
ENSEMBLE:
Tap your fears away!
Dance Break (Chaos builds — overlapping voices)
Kids (various):
“My feet won’t stop!”
“I’m tapping too fast!”
“Why are my legs doing this?!”
CHRYSANTHEMUM:
…Mom? Dad?? Hello?? THIS ISN’T WORKING!!!
ENSEMBLE (shaky):
Tap your fears away…
(music shifts)
Tempo increases gradually; Staging grows chaotic; kids moving in clusters or circles. Chrysanthemum is centered on bed, surrounded
(Lights SNAP to a new eerie dream color palette)
ENSEMBLE (whisper chant around her):
“Dream… dream… dream… dream…”
CHRYSANTHEMUM (center stage, final plea):
“I don’t want nightmares,
or tapping routines
I just want out of these terrible dreams!”
(Bed completes a full spin. Ensemble forms a spiral closing in, Curtain begins to slowly close)
CHRYSANTHEMUM (peeks through curtain gap / or over bed edge):
“Someone get me out of this DREAM!!!”
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Act 2 Song List
VII. Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk (Listen Here)
Verse 1
We lined up for the lunchroom, with our lunch card in hand.
The pizza was cardboard, the chicken was bland.
The vegetables soggy, and the rice was sand.
The cheeseburger they served us was mystery meat.
The smell was confusing, And not of our choosing —
The noodles were cold, and the cheese was oozing
Chorus
Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk.
Standing in line and now I wanna turn back!
Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk.
Lunch is looking at me, and it wants to attack!
Chorus
Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk
Standing in line and now I wanna turn back!
Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk
Lunch is looking at me, and it wants to attack!
Verse 2
The pizza’s in a weird shape — Rectangle, not triangle.
The nachos were spicy, The punch a bit icy.
The French fries were cold, and the cost - too pricey!
Bridge (¾ - dreamy)
I’m dreaming of trading, A deal I’d gladly make —
For mom’s homemade brownies, a slice of birthday cake.
A bagful of candy, a piece of pumpkin pie
Anything but mystery meat — I promise I’ll try!
Final Chorus
Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk —
Standing in line and now I wanna turn back!
Fish Sticks and Chocolate Milk —
Lunch is looking at me… and it wants to attack!
(Repeat softly… fading out… “and it wants to attack… and it wants to attack…”)
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VIII. Playground Disaster (Listen Here)
Play–GROUND! (Hey!) Di–SAS–TER!
Merry–Go–ROUND! Go FAS–TER!
Round and Round — someone’s gonna die...
My fingers are slipping — now watch me fly.
Swings fly high, chains might break,
Jump too soon — a big mistake.
Slides burn hot — midday sun,
You scream “too late!” — the damage is done.
Play–GROUND! (Hey!) Di–SAS–TER!
Merry–Go–ROUND! Go FAS–TER!
Round and Round — someone’s gonna die...
My fingers are slipping — now watch me fly.
A girl came chasing — I made my dash —
Ran with my blanket and fell with a CRASH!
Broke my arm, but I could stand,
Learned to write with my left hand!
Play–GROUND! (Hey!) Di–SAS–TER!
Merry–Go–ROUND! Go FAS–TER!
Round and Round — someone’s gonna die...
My fingers are slipping — now watch me fly.
Tether Ball smackdown — smashed my face,
Crawled in the crab-race — scored last place.
Four square, kickball — Hide and Seek
Always picked last — Am I a freak?
Play–GROUND! (Hey!) Di–SAS–TER!
Merry–Go–ROUND! Go FAS–TER!
Round and Round — someone’s gonna die...
My fingers are slipping — now watch me fly.
Verse 4 - RITA & JO
Jump rope lasso — jump rope tangled,
Skin meets gravel — my face got mangled.
WENDELL
Cut my finger on a rusty pole…
(spoken / screamed) Noooooooo help! I’m bleeding to death!
Play–GROUND! (Hey!) Di–SAS–TER!
Merry–Go–ROUND! Go FAS–TER!
Round and Round — someone’s gonna die...
My fingers are slipping — now watch me fly.
Watch me fly…Watch me fly.
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IX. Nap Time Is My Time
Comedic Broadway-style solo — bright classroom chaos fading into jazzy calm
Verse 1
The morning’s been rough, I’ve faced them before,
But this time is different — what else is in store?
Children running and screaming, revived and alive,
It’s only 8:30… and will I survive?
Chorus 1
Nap time — is my time,
The best time of the day!
Classroom lights will go off, where silence is boss, And chaos drifts away.
Nap time — is my time,
My forty-two-minute dream.
I don’t have to talk, I don’t have to listen —
Just my cup of coffee with cream.
Verse 2
I will grade all their papers and check my email,
Create bonus points so that no one will fail.
All the crayons will be sorted, the lessons all written,
And maybe some time with my coffee… and sittin’.
Because nap time — is my time!
Bridge + Tag
(whispered, to the audience)
Shhhhhh… no one move… They’re finally asleep.
Don’t breathe too loud —
This peace is mine to keep.
(spoken-sung, gently guiding the audience)
Breathe in… (inhale)
Breathe out… (exhale)
Try it — everyone!
Breathe in…
Breathe out… isn’t that nice?
Shhhhhh… listen…
Do you hear that?
Isn’t that nice?
Tag (to audience, big grin)
Yes, learning is nice, and counting is fun,
And playing at recess out in the bright sun —
But nap time — is my time…
The best time of the day!
Chorus
Nap time — is my time,
The best time of the day!
Classroom lights will go off, where silence is boss,
And chaos drifts away.
Nap time — is my time,
My forty-two-minute dream.
I don’t have to talk, I don’t have to listen —
Just my cup of coffee with cream.
(Button — teacher takes a triumphant sip of coffee as the class begins to stir, lights fade.)
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X. Warm Ups with Mrs.Twinkle (No instrumentation needed - Live vocalization)
La-la-la-la-la
Sing-sing-sing-sing-sing
Do-Mi-So-Mi-Do
etc.
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XI. Perfect Enough
We all have names that tell a tale,
Of who we are and who we’re not.
A melody, a family song,
A bloom that will not hide.
And though the world may whisper,
Or tease what they don’t see,
There’s beauty in the broken parts —
And strength in being me.
VICTORIA:
Will I remember my lines?
RITA:
Do I focus on the flaws?
JO:
Is my name way too short?
WEMBERLY:
Do I worry too much?
LILLY:
Will they like my purple purse?
CHESTER & WILSON:
Will my friend be there for me?
(Small swell — classmates gather closer to Chrysanthemum)
ENSEMBLE (softly):
Perfect doesn’t mean the same,
We all have different names.
We’re scared, we’re brave, we learn, we grow —
Look past our imperfections and you will see us glow.
(brief instrumental measure — piano/strings shimmer into final chorus)
…Yes, I’m perfect enough to be me!
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XII. Chrysanthemum (Reprise) (Listen Here)
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
MOM (singing)
Thirteen letters on your birthday cake…
DAD (singing)
Took you five years to spell it for goodness' sake!
MOM & DAD (singing)
We know it’s perfect and it’s cool,
It’s not like any other name at school!
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
(Bridge)
And oooooh… I’m perfect …. just like my name!
And oooooh…. it’s perfect…. just like me!
Verse 2
I like the way it looks on an envelope,
And even looks sweet carved in a cantaloupe.
I like the way it looks when I scribble it down,
With my big fat orange coloring crayon.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh we like the way it sounds.
Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, oh I like the way it sounds.
Oh we like the way it sounds…
Oh we like the way it sounds…
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Credits
Original Tunes and Lyrics - Michael Hill
Sample Accompaniments - Jordache Grant, Michael Hill
Vocals - Michael Hill, Tiffany Nickerson, Jordache Grant