A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

They're Playing Our Song

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  1w, 1m

Book by Neil Simon
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager

A funny, romantic show about an established composer and his relationship with an aspiring young female lyricist, not unlike Carole Bayer Sager. Professionally, their relationship works beautifully, but personally they hit a few bumps: romance blossoms, conflict rears its head, and comic sparks fly.

They're Playing Our Song

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 1m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Suggested Use
    • Scene work
    • Competition or audition material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Four 1979 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book
    Nominee: Five 1979 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Book and Music
They're Playing Our Song

Details

Summary
America’s premier funny man and the Tony Award-winning composer of A Chorus Line collaborated on this hit musical; a funny, romantic show about an established composer and his relationship with an aspiring young female lyricist, not unlike Carole Bayer Sager. Professionally, their relationship works beautifully, but personally, romance blossoms, conflict rears its head, and comic sparks fly.
History
They're Playing Our Song made its world premiere at the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. The show subsequently premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on 2 February 1979. Produced by Emanuel Azenberg, directed by Robert Moore and choreographed by Patricia Birch, the production featured Lucie Arnaz and Robert Klein.
Keywords
Performing Groups
VERNON GERSCH – An established composer
SONIA WALSK – A young lyricist
VOICES OF VERNON GERSCH – 3 men
VOICES OF SONIA WALSK – 3 women
VOICE OF PHIL THE ENGINEER

Two principal roles, plus small chorus

  • Time Period Present Day, 1970s
  • Setting New York City, Long Island & Los Angeles
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Absolutely beguiling... full of blithe good humor, hilarious jokes and witty, pointed characterizations.” – New York Post

“Engaging light entertainment.” – New York Daily News

“Neil Simon was at the top of his playwright-crafting game when he wrote the book for They’re Playing Our Song.” – Laude News, Read More

“It is fun and it is funny, full of blithe good humor, hilarious jokes and witty, pointed characterizations... The concept of the musical is absolutely beguiling... Simon has gotten himself another odd couple even odder than his first and is at his most sprightly and acidly comic.” – New York Post

[A] charmingly melodic comedy showcasing the meeting, collaboration and love affair of the well-matched neurotic composing duo.” – Chicagoland Musical Theatre

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

They're Still Playing Our Song
by Michael Weber
July 8, 2019

Music

Song Samples

Fallin'
Workin' It Out
If He Really Knew Me
They're Playing My Song (His)
They're Playing My Song (Hers)
Right
Just for Tonight
Entr'acte
When You're In My Arms
If He Really Knew Me (Reprise)
I Still Believe In Love
Fill In the Words
They're Playing Our Song (Finale)

Act I

“Fallin’”– Vernon
“Workin’ It Out” – Vernon, Sonia and Voices
“If He Really Knew Me” – Sonia and Vernon
“They’re Playing Our Song” – Vernon and Sonia
“If He Really Knew Me (Reprise)” – Vernon and Sonia
“Right” – Sonia, Vernon and Voices
“Just for Tonight” – Sonia

Act II

“When You’re in My Arms” – Vernon, Sonia and Voices
“I Still Believe in Love” – Sonia
“Fill in the Words” – Vernon and Voices
Finale & Bows – Company

Piano-Conductor

1 Reed 1 (Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 Reed 2 (Flute, Alto Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone)
1 Reed 3 (Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone)
2 Trumpets 1&2
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Harp
2 Guitars (2 books)
1 Fender Bass
1 Keyboard 2 (Fender Rhodes)
1 Percussion (Timpani, Glockenspiel, Bells, Claves, Cabasa, Congas, Triangle, etc.)
1 Drums
3 Violins (3 books)
1 Viola
1 Cello
  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Small

Licensing & Materials

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Music Rentals

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1 Piano-Conductor
5 Vocal Book

1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
2 Trumpets 1&2
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Harp
2 Guitars
1 Fender Bass
1 Keyboard 2
1 Percussion
1 Drums
3 Violins
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Piano-Conductor
5 Vocal Book
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Authors

Neil Simon

Neil Simon

American playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon (1927-2018) is widely regarded as one of the most successful, prolific and performed playwrights in theatre history. In addition to Lost In Yonkers, which won a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize, his plays and musicals include Come ...

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Marvin Hamlisch

Marvin Hamlisch

June 2, 1944—August 6, 2012

As composer, Marvin Hamlisch won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, three Golden Globe awards and the Pulitzer Prize (won by A Chorus Line). Only Hamlisch and Richard Rodgers have won a “PEGOT” ( ...

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Author

Carole Bayer Sager

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