The document is an introduction to a theater piece by Bazz Atlas and KS Sheridan titled "Formal Absences". It describes how the two artists have collaborated musically for over 30 years by writing songs together. They had long discussed creating a theater piece but the time was not right until 2006 when they finally did so, which was the most satisfying collaboration they have had. The piece is presented as a multimedia collection that advances through songs when clicked on within the browser window.

1. Formal Absences Bazz and I have been colliding ideas together for more than 30 years. More times than not, songs have resulted. Over the decades, we kept returning to a single discussion: The power of songs to tell two-, three-, and four-minute stories. Given this ongoing conversation--and the nature of our songs--the fact that we didn’t earlier create a piece for the theater puzzled friends and fans. The truth is the time wasn’t right and so we chose to spin our tales in the context of pop recordings. However, in January of 2006, something shifted. What was increasingly obvious to everyone else, became manifest to us: It was finally time to do the theater piece. Speaking for both of Bazz and myself, it’s been the most satisfying collaboration we’ve ever had. We hope you agree. . . --Kevin Sheridan Note: To review this multimedia presentation, click within the contents of the browser window, rather than using the standard browser controls. Doing so will advance you through the collection one song at a time. Introduction A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan

2. Formal Absences Prelude To the Aftermath Atlas/Sheridan Instrumental opening to the work. Overture A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan

3. Formal Absences Intimate Atlas/Sheridan We slip away as we speak, though our friends are near; gathered 'round us in their seats, but somehow far from here . . . We're wide awake and asleep, inside a single dream; though I'm filled with disbelief, I'm certain what this means . . . No stolen glances at your chest, no wondering how you'd look undressed, no imagining bed and all the rest: There's something much more intimate here-- much more intimate than sex . . . (chorus) In an instant you will leave my life, and I'll be left to wonder why . . . Though we may never meet again, I know you’ll be on my mind when I die . . . I’ve lived my life in these four hours, and now I’m left with lonely years . . . I’d give my life for an hour more, I’d do anything to keep you near . . . We're deep inside our passions, connecting everything: Warhol shoes lead to fashion, Cabbages become kings . . . Suddenly our minds unlock, time's also been in flight; there's no way to hide our shock as the check ends the night . . . No stolen glances at your chest, no wondering how you'd look undressed, no imagining bed and all the rest: There's something much more intimate here-- much more intimate than sex . . . (repeat chorus) Act One A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan

4. Formal Absences Autumn Beach Atlas/Sheridan Everybody’s gone, but we’ve stayed on; summer rental turned into home . . . Now there’s longing looks, over second-hand books, and a suddenly silent phone . . . (chorus) Autumn beach, Autumn beach, bridge between the seasons; colder weather is the reason that the tourists have gone . . . Autumn beach, Autumn beach, shimmering in new light: White sand swept clean by a new tide; a tide that sweeps us along . . . Lying in the dunes: bedtime is soon, where we know we’ll be wide awake; In the velvet night those freighter lights stoke our fire and then feed our ache . . . (repeat chorus) You’re down at the cove; I watch from home, when I understand I love you . . . Heading to the sea, I hardly breathe; Everything about life is new . . . (repeat chorus) Act One A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan

5. Formal Absences I Love You Now Atlas/Sheridan Four o’clock in the morning and you’re sleeping by my side; I’m lying in the darkness and I’m glowing with the time . . . Recalling last night’s passion as I look for morning light; you’ve put me in the present: love with first, not second sight . . . I kiss your naked shoulder as I pull your covers up; and brushing back your long hair, hold this moment, give it up . . . (chorus) Don’t wanna treat love like a moth and mount it on a pin; why look for love in crystal balls, or wait there in the wings? I love you now, while we’ve got time, instead of memories; I love you now, who needs a sign? There’s never guarantees . . . There’s never guarantees . . . A thin light fills the bedroom, alabasters our embrace; then reddened by the sunrise, flesh-and-blood’s left in its place . . . The sunbeams stream ‘cross your face, there’s laugh-lines around your eyes; yeah, more than when we started: souvenirs of loving times . . . (repeat chorus) Act One A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan

6. Formal Absences Losing Ground Atlas/Sheridan I went looking for our future, but only found yours; I went looking for our home, but only found yours; I went looking for our plans, but only found yours . . . And when I asked you, you acted so hurt, said it could be worse: we might not be in love at all. . . For a soul mate, a price so small (chorus) I’m slowly slipping away, lost little by little, before I was found; Your careful love’s gaining on me and little by little, I’m just losing ground . . . High-flying hopes now a love knot, and little by little, I’m more alter-bound; Your careful love’s gaining on me and little by little, I’m just losing ground . . . Yeah, little by little, I’m just losing ground . . . You told me how we’d live one life, but you showed me yours; you told me how we’d share one heart, but you showed me yours; you told me how we’d be a family, but you showed me yours . . . And when I asked you, you acted so hurt, said it could be worse: we might not be in love at all. . . For a soul mate, a price so small (repeat chorus) Act One A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan

7. Formal Absences No Rules In Love Atlas/Sheridan She wants a daddy, She wants a lover; She wants a soul mate, but needs a brother . . . She wants it high, She wants it low; She wants to stay, and then to go . . . (chorus) There’s no rules in love: it can be pure and still not enough . . . There’s no rules in love: it can cause tears and it can be rough . . . There’s no rules in love, There’s no rules in love, There’s no rules in love: You’ve still got your fears and it’s still not enough . . . You want it good, You want it bad; You want it happy but find it sad . . . You want it fast, You want it slow; You want to stay, but have to go . . . (repeat chorus) Act One A Theater Piece by Bazz Atlas & KS Sheridan