OREM — Lyricist Michael Flanders and pianist Donald Swann rose to fame in the 1950s and '60s with a host of catchy, witty tunes that caught the public's fancy.

Now two local musicians are taking on the task of re-creating Flanders and Swann's show, which includes love songs with a twist.

The armadillo, for example, falls in love with a piece of military equipment. The wild boar is in love with being a boar.

In another, the fates of a honeysuckle vine and a bind weed just don't intertwine.

Flanders and Swann are best known for their songs about animals — from hairy spiders to philosophical clothes and irritated gnus.

Their most famous tune, "The Hippopotamus Song," features a chorus about glorious mud.

"The songs are so clever and so catchy that they stick with you," said Doc Taylor, who will be doing the vocals. "I find myself humming the tunes when I get up in the morning, and I'm still humming them when I go to bed."

Larry Blackburn handles the challenging parts, piano plus harmonizing, singing and even whistling.

"These songs call for much more than a poker-faced pianist who just sits there and tickles the keys," Taylor said. "This music calls for a true partnership."

If you go

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What: "Flanders and Swann and Friends: Relevant Songs for Whimsical People"

Where: Centre Stage, Sorensen Student Center, UVSC Orem campus

When: 7:30 p.m., Nov. 18

How much: free

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