Red Ribbons: The Rock Opera

It started with Countess Odessa, who I've associated with The Eagles's Hotel California since she was an alu-fiend madame in a New Orleans-inspired fantasy setting.

I was mostly joking when I suggested Love Child by Diana Ross and the Supremes for Marco. With slightly more dignity, there's Randy Travis's C&W On the Other Hand.

When I was listening to a CD and spontaneously decided that Beatrice Caligari was I Am a Rock by Simon and Garfunkel, I thought maybe I should try to come up with a bunch of rock songs as themes for the Red Ribbons cast.

Angelo got paired with the Eurythmics's Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). Although the first thing that suggested itself was actually more an "Angelo and Beatrice's Theme," Evanescance's Bring Me to Life.

Francesca realized that Only the Good Die Young and promptly went out to do some bad-girl things.

I haven't been able to come up with something for Gianina yet. I thought Stop! In the Name of Love might work until I read the verses. There may be things that Gianina will want to stop Antonio from doing lest she fall out of love with him, but she's OK with Zola.

I keep changing my mind about Sal. "My Way" was too 'old,' so what about another Billy Joel number? My Life is about, I think, a younger guy, striking out on his own and tired of getting flack for it. Maybe a little too angry, though... work continues!

I've never actually heard Springsteen's No Surrender, but Moe suggested it as a good song and it looks like it might fit Elsa all right. But I don't think I've seen enough of Elsa to really make that call yet.

I got a suggestion for Antonio: "Billy Joel's 'Under Pressure.'" Now, did that mean Billy Joel's Pressure, or Queen's Under Pressure? I think I'd tend to go with Billy, but I'm a part-Italian Jersey girl so I'm biased. For a song sung by the character, instead of about the character, I'd go with "Pressure." In Act I, it introduces him as a tough old Lord's Hand well-suited to lecture someone without "scars on [his] face" about working under pressure. By Act III, he's holding onto that persona for dear life and not coping too well with some other kinds of pressures.

Ellen Locke Still Hasn't Found What She's Looking For. Do you think it's even in Vodacce for her to find?

Browsing songs by The King, looking for inspiration, I unexpectedly found something for Mateo Bianco: Elvis's Dirty, Dirty Feeling. The title made me thing of Antonio, but those lyrics? Mateo. Who knew Elvis was so creepy?

One-hit wonder Animotion's Obsession looks to be a near fit for Pietra, although I don't think she wants her father in bed. Otherwise, yeah.

That's all I've got at the moment. Feel free to send me your own suggestions!