They're Playing Our Song - Is it revivable?

[Glitter and be Gay]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:32am

I can't answer this question as I am completely biased. I love this show and the score and directed a production of it way back in 1988 for a tiny dinner theater in Colorado. I realized then that the show was stuck in a '70's timewarp with a Neil Simon book and score by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, and didn't attempt to update it. I embraced the time period and spoofed it in the costumes and set design while staying true to the book and score. And it went over big with an audience just a few years removed from the time period and used to a steady diet of Rodgers and Hammerstein et al. They had no clue what this show was about when they bought their tickets, nor any idea of idea what camp was, but they loved it just the same. They may not have gotten the lava lamp in Sonia's apartment, but they loved, loved, loved Vernon in Travolta's Saturday Night Fever suit doing the Hustle and ending with the title song production number with Travolta's signature pose from the movie.

I did a search of the board before posting this, and I didn't find a thread devoted to this show. Just a smattering of posts here and there in a few threads. It's a forgotten gem, IMO.

Again, I am completely biased, but with the right casting and direction it could be an Encores hit. Or a reasonably successful off-Broadway revival. I don't know if it could make it on Broadway, but then nobody expected Xanadu to last a week mining the late disco era, and look how that turned out.

Thoughts?

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:37am

I'm not sure if it's really revivable, but I LOVE the show! it's one of my favorites.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:51am

"Right, every thing about this feels right, everything is perfectly fine....." I love this show! With such a small cast, seems like it could be do-able. "I'll keep on dreaming 'cause I still believe in love"- Glitter and be Gay (love that name by the way)- now I have these songs in my head! mom

[DeadParrot2]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:57am

I remember there was actually a touring production of the show a few years back, starring Erin Moran, "Joanie" of "Happy Days" fame. I had a friend who got to play one of the backup singers.

[supportivemom]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:01am

I saw Lorna Luft in the touring company. She was wonderful! mom

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:06am

Why wouldn't it be revivable?

[alterego]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:32am

The only thing that would stop this being revivable are some pop culture references, eg The Bee Gees.

A great part of this show 's success I think can be credited to Douglas Schmidt's wonderful set - the revolve, sliders and the projections - it was the engine that made the whole thing glide. I've seen productions without that set, and while they were enjoyable the show didn't shine. There was a posting here (somewhere) that actually showed the floor plans for the set.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 5:53am

One of my all time favourite shows! I had the pleasure of seeing the London production on 8 or 9 occasions back in 1980 and also the Australian production. The London cast included a very young Michael Ball as one of the backing singers (alteregos). London had a very successful run just short of two years with 3 cast changes. It hasnt been done in the UK since 1989 when it did a short tour. It would need a little updating to be staged today as Alterego mentioned with regards to references to 80s pop culture. Then again the Bee Gees are still very well known today. I hope this happens one day BUT with that wonderful set maybe just a little updated. Have to go play the London CD now!

Updated On: 1/18/08 at 05:53 AM

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 10:53am

YES!

It IS...and SHOULD BE!

With a little dusting off and a few small changes, this could play for MANY years in the right off-broadway theater.

BRING IT ON!

Updated On: 1/19/08 at 10:53 AM

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:10am

Hmmmm references to corn cribs and Captain Billy's Whiz Bang in The Music Man didn't keep that from being revived. I think a contemporary audience might be able to decipher a BeeGees reference.

[JRybka]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:38am

It would be so much fun to cast it.
I saw it with Lucie and Robert and then I saw it again recently when they revived it for one night at THE KENNEDY CENTER. I had such a good time!

You could really get a good cast.

Maybe
Emily Skinner and Raul Esparza.

I know they are the go to people right now but they could vocally do a great job with it.

[bkonbroadway]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 11:46am

It's being done as an equity showcase off-off Broadway in February at The Producer's Club. It's going to be a very minimalistic production using only Vernon and Sonia. More to come on that.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:01pm

The should use the original sets. They were GORGEOUS. The apartment was amazing. I went to see the OBC at least six times and always "Oooooo'd" when the show began.

[jennafan]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:16pm

Great show. I saw it last year in North Hollywood, CA.

The bad thing was, you could have shot a bullet through the theatre. It wasn't even 1/4th full. The audience was so few it was actually sad. I felt bad for the performers. I don't think this is a show that would sell out, anywhere it's performed. It's sad, but true.

[amoni]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:49pm

It doesn't need to be updated. All you need after the overture before the curtain rises is an AM radio recording with Cousin Brucie doing his DJ patter with the date and weather and the audience would know it takes place in the 70's. It's a time capsule of that time. Believe it or not, there are people still alive now, who were alive in the 70's, not everything has to be about today. I would pay serious money to see Rosie and Nathan do this. And before the Rosie bashers take over, she has been in love with this show since a kid and has great respect for it, so she would be great in it.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:51pm

Except in a full Broadway revival with some of todays top Broadway talent. Thers no way it wouldnt work. (with tweaks!)

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 12:57pm

Deborah Gibson said in today's Diva Talk (on playbill) that she would love to do They're Playing Our Song.
Deb Does Diva Talk

[morosco]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:21pm

The drawing on the top is the National Tour. The original Broadway set is on the bottom.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:27pm

I don't know much about it, but I don't see why a certain era ties it to not being revivable (gotta say, when I glanced over the list quickly I thought it said "reviewable" and my answer was the same...why not?). I mean look at The Ritz. Not my favorite by any means, but it's DEFINITELY tied to an earlier era.

[Timmer]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 1:40pm

What do you mean, stuck in a 70s timewarp?

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 2:32pm

Yea!!! Rosie was in love with 'Taboo' in London and look what a mess she made of that!
I would like to see it done in its own time, the 70s. There is no reason why it shouldnt work in that capacity. The 70s has been hip for years now.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/18/08 at 5:11pm

I recently saw the Lucie Arnaz and Robert Klein "They're Playing Our Song in Concert"...it was terrible.

[alterego]

Posted: 1/19/08 at 1:17am

Rosie can't sing, remember? Nathan Lane is all wrong too. About 15 years ago there was talk of a production with Robert Downey jnr as Vernon.

Oh wickedboy2 please don't play the London Cast recording, Tom Conti is AWFUL on that.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 1/19/08 at 4:15am

What would ever possess anyone to suggest Rosie to croak the songs in this show? She may love Broadway and Broadway loves her but seriously....

[kyleorlando]

Posted: 1/19/08 at 5:24am

"I would pay serious money to see Rosie and Nathan do this."

Oh. My. Zeus.

We were playing "who should do..." last night over drinks and someone responded Rosie and Nathan in "They're Playing..."!

I'd pay to full price to see that!