They’re Playing Our Song

They’re Playing Our Song was based in part on composer Marvin Hamlisch’s own frequently stormy affair with his then lyricist-in-residence, Carole Bayer Sager. In this musical drame à clef, Vernon Gersch, a wise-cracking, neurotic songwriter who likes to spend his time telling his troubles to a tape recorder, and Sonia Walsk, a wise-cracking, neurotic lyric writer whose wardrobe is made up of used theatre costumes, try to have both a professional and a personal relationship despite constant interruptions caused by telephone calls from Sonia’s former lover for whom she still feels great affection. To tell their story the authors hit upon the notion — as in I Do! I Do! — of using only two characters, though in this case each one has three singing alter egos. Four actors succeeded Robert Klein during the Broadway run (including Tony Roberts and Victor Garber), and five succeeded Lucie Arnaz (including Stockard Channing and Anita Gillette). The show’s first road company (with Garber and Ellen Greene) toured months. Sweeney Todd. Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. (Martha Swope)

Music

Marvin Hamlisch

Lyrics

Carole Bayer Sager

Book

Neil Simon