They're Playing Our Song 1986

Opened: January 9, 1986
Closing: unknown

They're Playing Our Song - 1986 - Off-Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Master Theatre
Address Unknown New York, NY

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.

Get They're Playing Our Song Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Long-Lost 80's Techno-Pop Band Vivabeat Remastered Reissues Confirmed For March From Rubellan Remasters
by Michael Major - Jan 30, 2024


Rubellan is releasing two separate projects simultaneously — a dramatically elevated edition of Vivabeat's debut album, Party in the War Zone, including ten bonus tracks gleaned from the years after the original release, and The House is Burning, a limited edition, purple and blue colored-vinyl, best-of package.

Boston Rock Legends Nervous Eaters Release New Single and Video 'Talkk'
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 19, 2023


Boston rock legends Nervous Eaters have released a new single and video titled 'Talkk.'

Every Broadway Actor in THE GILDED AGE Season Two
by Michael Major - Nov 19, 2023


The Gilded Age has returned for season two with a fresh lineup of Broadway stars! The first season of Julian Fellowes' series featured over 60 Broadway alums, including Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon, and more. Check out which faces you recognize from the theatre, including new additions like Laura Benanti and Jeremy Shamos.

Interview: Winemaker, Jeff Cichocki of BONTERRA ORGANIC ESTATES
by Marina Kennedy - Oct 11, 2023


Broadwayworld had the opportunity to interview winemaker,  Jeff Cichocki about his career and to learn about Bonterra Organic Estates. 

Interview: Arkansas Concert Producer Dennis Stone Talks About Growing up In the Music Business
by Theresa Bertram - Sep 21, 2023


Sometimes when you travel, the trip is long and boring. There are crying babies, you sit next to someone who snores, and/or you’re lonely. This was not the case with Broadway World’s favorite MC and guest writer Blake Woodson during his recent trip to Denver. Blake had the privilege to sit next to Arkansas Concert Royalty Dennis Stone and decided to seize the moment by getting to know him better.  

Review Roundup: Immersive HERE LIES LOVE Opens On Broadway!
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 20, 2023


Here Lies Love, the new musical from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, officially opens tonight at the Broadway Theatre. Read the reviews!

Beverly Glenn-Copeland Releases 'Stand Anthem'
by Michael Major - Jun 29, 2023


The Ones Ahead is Glenn-Copeland’s first studio LP in almost 20 years and the first since the extraordinary career renaissance triggered by the rediscovery of his now-classic Keyboard Fantasies album. He returns with another preview of the record with the track, “Stand Anthem.”

Beverly Glenn-Copeland Releases 'Harbour (Song For Elizabeth)'
by Michael Major - Jun 8, 2023


The track features vocals from Jeremy Costello, a member of Glenn’s band Indigo Rising. Also out now is the first of three live performance films filmed at Lakewind Sound Studios in Nova Scotia and directed by Posy Dixon who directed the documentary Keyboard Fantasies. Watch a new music video now!

Lucas Hnath, Trevor Nunn, Noel Coward, and More Set For The Orange Tree Theatre's Upcoming Season
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2023


The Orange Tree (OT) has announced its first full year of programming under new Artistic Director Tom Littler. It features world and European premieres by Zoe Cooper and Lucas Hnath; revivals from Mustapha Matura, Noël Coward and Oliver Goldsmith; directors including Trevor Nunn and Matthew Dunster; and Niamh Cusack headlining the first major London revival of Polly Stenham's breakout hit That Face.

PACIFIC OVERTURES, CLOSE UP - THE TWIGGY MUSICAL, and More Set For Menier Chocolate Factory 2023 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2023


With Marjorie Prime currently running at the company's home base in South London and Funny Girl on Broadway, the Menier Chocolate Factory announced forthcoming programming for 2023. Learn more about the lineup here!

La Jolla Playhouse Reveals Complete Programming for 2023 Without Walls (WOW) Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2023


La Jolla Playhouse has announced complete programming for its 2023 Without Walls (WOW) Festival of immersive and site-inspired work.

World Music Institute Announces Spring/Summer 2023 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 25, 2023


WMI celebrates its 38th year in NYC with sixteen performances featuring artists from over a dozen countries.

The Gift Theatre Announces 2023 Season Featuring the Chicago Premiere of MOTHERS & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 22, 2022


 The Gift Theatre has announced its 2023 season, featuring the Chicago premiere of Anna Ouyang Moench’s dark comedy Mothers, directed by Lili-Anne Brown and a revival of Jim Cartwright’s powerful, award-winning drama The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, directed by Devo de Mayo.

The Washington Stage Guild Opens 37th Season With THE GOOD DOCTOR by Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 6, 2022


The Washington Stage Guild will kick off its 2022-2023 season, a “Season of Transitions,” with The Good Doctor by Neil Simon, adapted from the stories of Anton Chekhov, directed by founding member Laura Giannarelli.

Hugh Jackman, Joel Grey, Sharon D. Clarke & More Featured in 92NY Fall Theater Events
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 22, 2022


See Tom Stoppard on Leopoldstadt, Wendell Pierce, Sharon D. Clarke, André De Shields, and Miranda Cromwell on Death Of A Salesman, Joel Grey, Steven Skybell, and Zalmen Mlotek on Fiddler On The Roof In Yiddish and more at 92NY this fall.

Feature: The 101 GREATEST YACHT ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME for Your Summer Playlist - featuring Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and Steely Dan
by Peter Nason - Jun 16, 2022


Reviewer Peter Nason counts down the greatest 101 YACHT ROCK HITS for your summertime listening pleasure.

North Coast Repertory Theatre to Stage AN EVENING WITH GROUCHO
by Marissa Tomeo - Apr 8, 2022


Award-winning actor/director Frank Ferrante re-creates his acclaimed New York and London stage portrayal celebrating America's greatest comedian - Groucho Marx.  You will feel as though Groucho is back, as Ferrante sings, dances and performs classic routines on the North Coast Rep stage, May 2nd & 3rd, 2022 at 7:30pm.

BWW Review: LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL at FreeFall Theatre
by Drew Eberhard - Apr 1, 2022


Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is a play with music written by Lanie Robertson and this production is directed by Wren T. Brown. The musical premiered in 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia and its story recounts some events of Billie Holiday’s life leading up to this performance at Emerson’s four months shy of her death in 1959. Emerson’s is a small bar in South Philadelphia and the time is a midnight performance by Lady Day. Set to the backdrop of a piano center stage and a few cocktail tables around the space, we relive some events of Ms. Holiday’s life as told through stories found deep in her memory but living on the surface as if they just happened yesterday.

Grand Theatre's High School Project Ventures INTO THE WOODS For Its 24th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 24, 2022


Following two years of online programming, the Grand Theatre's renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project returns to the Spriet Stage for its 24th season with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning musical, Into the Woods. 

Broadway Actors in THE GILDED AGE & How You Know Them
by Michael Major - Jan 30, 2022


Meet all of the Broadway actors in THE GILDED AGE! The new series features appearances by Audra McDonald, Denée Benton, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kelli O'Hara, Carrie Coon, Claybourne Elder, Donna Murphy, Katie Finneran, Debra Monk, Taylor Richardson, Douglas Sills, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Patrick Page, Michael Cerveris, and more.

Mabou Mines Announces Winter/Spring 2022 Season Culminating In A Four-Day 50th Anniversary Celebration
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 29, 2021


Mabou Mines today announces its Winter/Spring 2022 season, with the iconic company re-engaging its past to celebrate its 50th anniversary—and presenting new work that continues to vitally push the boundaries of theatrical experience.

25 Theatre Books for Your Fall Reading List
by Team BWW - Nov 6, 2021


Fall has arrived and chilly weather means lots of time to snuggle under your favorite blanket with a great book. You're in luck, because this year, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind.

BWW Interview: Tommy Faragher, Musical Jack Of All Trades, Playing For John Lloyd Young Is SOLID GOLD
by Gil Kaan - Oct 18, 2021


Tommy Faragher, a long-time denizen of the entertainment industry, will next be onstage playing live for JOHN LLOYD YOUNG: SOLID GOLD at Feinstein’s at Vitello’s October 22nd and 23rd. Had the chance to delve into Tommy’s storied resume as a producer, composer, songwriter, arranger, and musician.

BWW Review: BROADWAY BOUND at Beck Center For The Arts
by Roy Berko - Sep 12, 2021


A native New Yorker, Neil Simon is recognized as Broadway's King of Comedy. Following his very successful 1961 production of COME BLOW YOUR HORN, Simon's name on a script basically meant instant box office sell-outs during the era from 1960-1980, the Great White Way's era of comic plays.

HAMILTON, DEAR EVAN HANSEN And More Announced for FSCJ Artist Series 55th Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 16, 2021


This season looks to be very exciting at the FSCJ Artist Series with Broadway productions, concerts, ballets, operas, comedy shows, dance productions, school performances and variety shows.

Videos