They’re Playing Our Song
My thoughts on They’re Playing Our Song or…love, loss, and some laughs in polyester
They’re Playing Our Song is the story of the romance between Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager. They wrote the music and lyrics based on their relationship. It tries hard and Neil Simon’s book is often witty but this 45 year old musical, like much of 1970’s culture, has not aged well. And the main problem is the score.
I can practically guarantee that you will leave the theater remembering only the title song. The rest are serviceable but entirely forgettable. Music Director M. Shane Hurst and the terrific band keep the pop score popping and it’s mildly pleasant but never exciting.
In the book of They’re Playing Our Song, the Marvin Hamlisch character becomes Vernon Gersch, and the Carole Bayer Sager character is Sonia Walsk. Vernon is an Academy Award winning composer, a bit neurotic and regimented, while Sonia, an up and coming lyricist, is a perpetually late Bohemian sort usually dressed in recycled clothing from theater productions (this is a humorous running gag in Act 1). They are a talented “odd couple” of collaborators who develop a romantic interest in each other and the ups and downs of their relationship is the plot of the show. The show is basically a two hander but there are six others in the cast who are the “inner voices” of the characters and appear frequently throughout the evening.
There are elements of Theatre Frisco’s They’re Playing Our Song that work very well. There’s a fine two level set with an elevated piano and a hidden bed below it by Rodney Dobbs and equally fine lighting from Josh Hensley and sound from Keyes Larsen. Sakura Brunette has come up with delightful, colorful costumes that evoke the period and has great fun with the costumes that are supposedly recycled from various other theatrical productions.
Andi Allen’s flare for comedy enhances her direction here and she knows just how long to let a moment linger for maximum effect in both comedic and more poignant moments. Allen also serves as the choreographer and the movement she devises for the main characters and most especially for the “inner voices” are clever. I have seen this musical four times now and Allen uses those supplemental characters more ingeniously than any previous productions I’ve witnessed. She makes them into a precisely choreographed, smile inducing force.
Vernon’s inner voices are portrayed by Danny Vanegas, Troy Murray, and Nic Hamill and Sonia’s are Audrey Reidling, Delaney Wenger, and Evelynn Wright. These are six exceptionally talented performers many of whom I have seen as leads in other shows.
Simon Heimersson is Vernon Gersch. Heimersson, although battling bronchitis on opening night, came through with style. Heimersson is spot on delivering Neil Simon’s one liners and comebacks. His Gersch is intelligent with a soft romantic side, controlling yet loveable and it is easy to see why Sonia would find him attractive.
DonnaMarie Knight is Sonia Walsk. Knight turns in a totally winning, beautifully sung performance as Walsk. Sonia is kooky and easily distracted but committed to her art. Knight, in Sonia’s weirdly wonderful costumes, is stage energy personified, and she makes Walsk’s eccentricity charming and seductive.
I am never going to be a fan of They’re Playing Our Song, but I am a major fan of the cast and creatives associated with this production. Go and enjoy. There is much to admire. And while it’s not my song, it just might be yours!
*It is rumored that DonnaMarie Knight is going to take a break from performing for a while after this show. That’s all the more reason to get to Theatre Frisco.
photo by Lucas Haupert
