This is a perfect example of how a piece of entertainment has entered into pop culture without actually being very good. “Gone in 60 Seconds” is a very forgettable movie except for one element: Eleanor.

In the movie, Nicholas Cage is a car thief and his entire career he’s tried to steal a 67 Shelby but for one reason or another, can’t quite get it right. It’s always hard, it’s always ridiculous. He nicknames the car “Eleanor”. And it is now a reference used by fans of Mr. Cage and otherwise.

Including me. And in every show I’ve ever been in, I have had an Eleanor. Sometimes it’s a song, sometimes, it’s a particular piece of dialog, sometimes it’s even another actor. In Joseph it was the Hoedown scene. In “Another Story” it was the whole last scene. And in “Jekyll & Hyde” it is “Alive.”

I’m guessing I’m not giving anything away here when I say that Jekyll creates a formula he thinks will separate good from evil, which it does, but it allows his darker side to take over, which it does, and goes on a rampage. Edward Hyde is the name his dark side gives himself, (does anyone know why?) and asks the question in a euphoria that can only come from complete freedom, “What is this feeling of power and drive I’ve never known? Feeling like this, feeling alive!”  It’s a fast-paced, high-intensity, introducing the most volatile character in all of musical theater. And I’m blowing it!

It drives me crazy, too. Two verses, a chorus, and I can’t get the lyrics right to save my mother’s life. In my mind I think, it’s because of the new blocking and the intensity, and you’re trying to be perfect at it too early. It’s only early August. Then my other mind thinks, Loser. You’ve worked on this since June and you still can’t get it? Talk about your primitive duality of man.

It’s my Eleanor. I expect that I’ll get it right. If I don’t, I have a contingency plan. Hyde is so amazed at his transformation that he keeps looking at his hands in astonishment. Well, if I can’t get these lyrics, I’ve got two long forearms that make great crib sheets (don’t ask me how I know this.)