Neil Simon's hilariously funny musical comedy about a
neurotic composer and his wacky girlfriend.
Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager
Featuring the Hit Songs "I Still Believe In Love", "They're Playing Our Song", and "Just For Tonight"
When 'They're Playing Our Song' opened on Broadway on February 11, 1977 the occasion marked Neil Simon's first musical in 10 years; Marvin Hamlisch's first Broadway score since 'A Chorus Line' and a return to the theater for Carole Bayer Sager after years of success in the pop field. It was a smash hit.
This Broadway hit opened in London on October 1, 1980 and it was Tom Conti's first musical, also a smash hit.
The show gets rolling when the successful popular songwriter Gersch meets with a new collaborator, lyricist Walsk, in his Central Park West apartment. A bit reserved himself, Gersch is quickly knocked for a loop by the human dynamo that is Walsk, as she simultaneously manifests hero worship for Gersch while seriously eroding his self-confidence with off-handed criticism of his work.
It's sort of fair though, for Gersch has already declared his appreciation of her lyrics -- which she has submitted to him in abundant quantities -- but adds that he is really only in love with one of her titles -- period.
Both admit to a high level of neurosis. While their neuroses seem to feed their creativity, their interpersonal communication is riddled with contradictions, as they simultaneously send positive and negative messages, generating lots of anxiety in a relationship that might otherwise develop into solid love.
The fact that Walsk has an ex-lover, Leon (never seen by the audience), who keeps popping up on the telephone at the most inconvenient moments, doesn't help her relationship with Gersch.
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