They're Playing Our Song 1980 - Articles Page 11

Opened: October 1, 1980
Closing: May 08, 1982

They're Playing Our Song - 1980 - West End History , Info & More

Shaftesbury Theatre
Holborn end of Shaftesbury Avenue London

Featuring book by Neil Simon, "They're Playing Our Song" follows the on-again, off-again romance of one very despondent composer and one very ditzy lyricist, as they try to create their own unique love song. Based on the real-life love affair of the show's composer, Marvin Hamlisch, and the show's lyricist, Carole Bayer-Sager, "They're Playing Our Song," ran 1,082 performances on Broadway.



After Sager and Hamlisch scored an international hit with "Nobody Does It Better" (the theme song from "The Spy Who Loved Me"), they began to work on a new musical based on some surprising subject matter -- their own romantic life -- with the most successful and popular playwright of the era, Neil Simon. They came up with an unusual, new form for a Broadway musical: a chamber musical with two main characters supported by a three-person Greek Chorus.



"They're Playing Our Song" had its world premiere as part of the Center Theatre Group series at the Ahmanson Theatre of the Music Center. It starred comic Robert Klein and Lucie Arnaz, who made her Broadway debut in the role and went on to star in Reprise's inaugural season's "Wonderful Town" in 1997.



Carole Bayer Sager has written the lyrics for "Don't Cry Out Loud," "Everything Old is New Again," "Come in From the Rain," "Heartbreaker," and "That's What Friends Are For," and has collaborated with Neil Diamond, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Peter Allen, Michael McDonald, and Burt Bacharach. In 1977 she was romantically involved with Marvin Hamlisch. Hamlisch followed winning three Academy Awards in 1973 for "The Way We Were" and the score of "The Sting", with the score for "A Chorus Line" which won nine 1975 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Score for Hamlisch and lyricist Edward Kleban.

They're Playing Our Song - 1980 - West End Cast

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They're Playing Our Song - 1980 - West End Articles Page 11

James Barbour's Holiday Concert Welcomes Guest Star Stacy Francis 12/12
by Eddie Varley - Nov 30, 2009


Saturday Night December 12th in New York will feature stage veteran, recording artist and concert Diva, Stacy Francis.

NY Philharmonic's Star Studded SONDHEIM: THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT to Feature LuPone, Peters, Cerveris, Patinkin, McDonald, and More, 3/15 & 3/16
by Jeff Dennhardt - Nov 16, 2009


The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

Sands, Osnes & Winningham to Star in BONNIE & CLYDE at La Jolla Playhouse, Performances Begin 11/10
by BWW News Desk - Nov 10, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 - December 20, 2009 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Sands, Osnes & Winningham to Star in BONNIE & CLYDE at La Jolla Playhouse in November
by Robert Diamond - Jul 13, 2009


La Jolla Playhouse announced today the addition of the world-premiere musical Bonnie & Clyde, to its 2009-10 season, replacing The Big Time. This production features music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel), lyrics by Tony Award-winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Song and Dance), book by Ivan Menchell (The Cemetery Club, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and direction by Jeff Calhoun (Deaf West's Big River and Pippin, Grease!). Bonnie & Clyde will run November 10 - December 20, 2009 in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Baryshnikov, Sondheim, Lang Lang Headline Harris Theater's 2009-2010 Season
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 6, 2009


The Harris Theater for Music and Dance today announced its Harris Theater Presents 2009-2010 season. The schedule of Harris Theater Presents events features nine programs, a remarkable thirteen Chicago premieres and includes an impressive and diverse selection of music, dance and conversation by internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles. Highlights of the Harris Theater Presents 2009-2010 season include a rare opportunity to see Mikhail Baryshnikov in a solo dance performance, an evening of insight with the 'Master of the Musical,' Stephen Sondheim, the Harris debut of Lang Lang under the baton of his mentor Maestro Christoph Eschenbach, the Chicago premiere of Orquestra de São Paulo with virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, Kathleen Battle's unusual program of holiday spirituals, and much more.

Brooklyn College Welcomes Composer Marvin Hamlisch 4/25
by BWW News Desk - Apr 25, 2009


Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm. Mr. Hamlisch holds the distinction of being one of only twelve people to win all four major US performing awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) and one of only two to have won all four of those plus a Pulitzer Prize (the other being Richard Rogers).

Marvin Hamlisch Performs An Evening Of Music At Brooklyn College 4/25
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 31, 2009


Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm, including selections from The Way We Were and A Chorus Line, along with tributes to Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Scott Joplin. He will be joined on stage by tenor J. Mark McVey.

Spanger & Carpinello Join Maroulis for ROCK OF AGES, Full Casting Announced, Previews Start at Atkinson 3/17
by BWW News Desk - Mar 17, 2009


The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.

Brooklyn College Welcomes Composer Marvin Hamlisch 3/25
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 12, 2009


Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm, including selections from The Way We Were and A Chorus Line, along with tributes to Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, and Scott Joplin. He will be joined on stage by tenor J. Mark McVey.

2009 Festival Of New American Musicals Held April-July
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 6, 2009


The 2009 Festival of New American Musicals, a four-month musical theatre festival, will be held in April through July, 2009, throughout Southern California. Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein, and Linda Shusett are the Executive Producers of the second annual Festival.

Spanger & Carpinello Join Maroulis for ROCK OF AGES, Full Casting Announced, Previews Start at Atkinson 3/17
by Eddie Varley - Feb 18, 2009


The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.

Brooklyn College Welcomes Composer Marvin Hamlisch 4/25
by Gabrielle Sierra - Feb 12, 2009


Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College welcomes legendary composer/performer and 2008 Theater Hall of Fame inductee Marvin Hamlisch for an elegant evening of unforgettable music on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 8pm. Mr. Hamlisch holds the distinction of being one of only twelve people to win all four major US performing awards (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) and one of only two to have won all four of those plus a Pulitzer Prize (the other being Richard Rogers).

BB King Blues Club & Highline Ballroom Present New Schedule
by Reynard Loki - Oct 8, 2008


B.B. King Blues Club and Grill and The Highline Ballroom, two of the nation's most respected music venues and New York's premier home for Broadway stars and cabaret, present their schedule of performances, with recently added or altered shows.

Walsh, Iconis, Andreas and More Part of Beechman September Lineup
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 21, 2008


It is with great pleasure that The West Bank Café announces upcoming performances to be presented in The Laurie Beechman Theatre. The West Bank Café is located at 407 West 42nd. St., at Ninth Avenue.

Charm City Call Board October 9 - 15
by James Howard - Oct 8, 2007


New this week: A discount to NYC! News of Spotlighters! New audition notices! TWO BEST BETS!

BWW Special Feature: A Look Back at Xanadu
by BWW News Desk - Aug 17, 2007


BroadwayWorld brings you this special feature about Xanadu (and its ties to The Silver Surfer) originally written in 1980 by James Burns. Enjoy...

Broadway Bullet Interview: Williamsburg the Musical
by Michael Gilboe - Aug 8, 2007


We sit down for an Interview with Will Brumley (Co-creator) and Allison Guinn (actor).

Photo Coverage: Theatre World Awards
by Walter McBride - Jun 7, 2006


On Tuesday, June 6th, Liza Minnelli, Ralph Fiennes and more turned out to present Theatre World Awards to twelve stars with recent Broadway debuts to their names

Minnelli, Fiennes, Etc. to Present Theatre World Awards, 6/6
by BWW News Desk - May 31, 2006


Liza Minnelli, Ralph Fiennes and Patricia Neal are the latest additions to the roster of stars who will present the Theatre World Awards on June 6th

2005-6 Theatre World Awards Announces 12 Winners!
by BWW News Desk - May 12, 2006


Twelve performers have won 2005-06 Theatre World Awards for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances.

Arnaz, Price, Etc. Present at Theatre World Awards, 6/6
by BWW News Desk - May 10, 2006


Lucie Arnaz and Jonathan Pryce will be among the presenters at the Theatre World Awards on June 6th

A CHORUS LINE Announces Complete 2006 Cast
by BWW News Desk - Apr 26, 2006


A Chorus Line, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical, proudly announces the 2006 cast.

Groundbreaking Women in Theater: Lighting Designer Beverly Emmons
by Adrienne Onofri - Mar 12, 2005


Emmons, a seven-time Tony nominee, is spotlighted in the second of BWW's special Women's History Month profiles.

'George S. Irving - Still Carrying On' celebrates 60 years in Musical Theatre
by Michael Dale - Jun 16, 2004


From a chorus boy in the original cast of 'Oklahoma!' to a one-man show off-Broadway and a Tony Award in between, George S. Irving has been one of Broadway's most endearing and enduring character men

Other Productions of They're Playing Our Song

1979   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1979   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1980   West End London Production
West End
1981   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1986   Off-Off-Broadway Equity Library Theatre Revival
Off-Off-Broadway

They're Playing Our Song - 1980 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1980 Olivier Awards Actor of the Year in a Musical Tom Conti
1980 Olivier Awards Actress of the Year in a Musical Gemma Craven
1980 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Neil Simon
1980 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Marvin Hamlisch

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