'They're Playing Our Song' at TriArts Sharon Playhouse - My Review

The TriArts Sharon Playhouse is currently presenting a wonderful production of They're Playing Our Song and I had a complimentary ticket to opening night. This cute little musical features a brilliant book by Neil Simon and the music was written by the late great Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. TriArts decided to do this warm and funny comedy that on Broadway starred Lucie Arnaz and Robert Klein as a way to honor the life and work of Mr. Hamlisch.

The show is loosely based on the real-life relationship of Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. Sager and is essentially a two character play set in the late seventies. Vernon Gersch, a wisecracking slightly neurotic composer, finds a new and offbeat lyricist named Sonia Walsk. Initially the match is not one made in heaven, but in the able hands of Neil Simon hilarity ensues as the two attempt to work together. It has been called a musical version of Simon's classic The Odd Couple. Everyone remembers the title song, but some of the other pieces are even better in my opinion.

Above the title billing goes to Eric Morris and Lauren Marcus in the roles of the composer and lyricist, but six of the ten talented college students interning at TriArts play their "voices" in their heads. Phillip Colgan, Garrett Hill and Jake Satterfield, who were all impressive in Spamalot, play the voices of Vernon. Jane Kivnick, Emily Neuberger, and Kaylee Verble, who also worked very hard in Spamalot, play Sonia's "girls." These students have to sing, dance, as well as move lots of scenery throughout the show and they all make it look easy. The scene that the guys do with Vernon involving toy pianos that they actually play while wearing hospital gowns is perfection.

Mr. Morris has most recently appeared in "Blue Bloods" and "Golden Boy" and appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! He has often collaborated with TriArts Artistic Director and the director of this show John Simpkins. Here he was simply wonderful as the award winning composer; he is a quadruple threat in that he can act, sing, dance and play the beautiful onstage grand piano during the scenes when his character is composing music. It sounded as if the accompaniment was coming from the stage as opposed to the pit and I quickly checked the monitor of the conductor at the back of the house to confirm that the actor was actually playing. Well played.

As Sonia, Lauren Marcus is adorable and perfectly "flaky." Constantly tardy, always on the move and the complete opposite of the composer, she is a whirlwind. Ms. Marcus is also a singer/songwriter and this probably helped her to develop her character so well. The costumes that she wears that were designed by Michelle Eden Humphrey seal the deal; she is supposed to be dressed as a cross between "Annie Hall and a gypsy tea reader" and must include costumes that the character has inherited from friends. I couldn't wait to see what she (and her "voices") would come out in next.

The set by Erik D. Diaz is functional and looked much like New York City in the seventies; it is well-lit by Chris Dallos. The last minute addition of the drink cart insured that the ice didn't melt. The car that breaks down on the way to Quogue, LI is merely implied.  I got to see Stage Manager Thomas J. Coppola during one of the numerous set changes. The choreography was done by MK Lawson and the musical director of the tight small orchestra was by Caleb Hoyer.

This is a touching two-act musical that is not often produced in the area. I enjoyed it very much, mostly because of the strong performance of this talented cast. I always admired the work of Marvin Hamlisch and am glad to see that TriArts brought back this show as a tribute to him. I wish Sharon was not so far away.

Click here to listen to the podcast of the interview on Backstage with Johnny O with the two lead actors.