Theatrical Review: “They're Playing Our Song”

 Written by: Neil Simon
Music and Lyrics by: Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager
Directed and Choreographed by: Carmela Guiteras Mayo
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA is currently presenting their production of the musical “They're Playing Our Song” written by Neil Simon with music and lyrics provided by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager. The play was first presented at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in December 1978 until the production was moved to the New York City Theatrical District known as “Broadway” to open at the Imperial Theatre on February 11, 1979 featuring comedian Robert Klein and Lucie Arnaz (daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz). The play is based upon the relationship Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager once had.

The play begins with a musician named, “Vernon Gersh” (as portrayed by Brian Bowman) waiting for the arrival of a lyricist named “Sonia Walsh” (as portrayed by Sarah Ferguson) in order to work on writing some songs together. There are many roadblocks to the relationship becoming a successful one and, to imply each character’s egotism may be somewhat responsible for this, the play personifies their egos on stage. They are presented as Female Ego # 1 (as portrayed by Dana Bartolomeo), Female Ego # 2 (as portrayed by Morgan Mack), Male Ego # 1 (as portrayed by Saquan Williams), and Male Ego # 2 (as portrayed by Kyle Dylan Conner). The play takes its audience on a tour de force of how the relationship develops from two professional song writers who barely like one another to a couple who realizes a deep and profound love transcending all of life’s situations.

The play was written during the late 1970s when musical theater was mostly seen as a means to enhance box office sales by simply entertaining audiences with some pleasant characters and songs. “They're Playing Our Song” reflects the times it was written as it seems to had been created in order to capitalize on the popularity Neil Simon and Marvin Hamlisch enjoyed during that time. In other words, the collaboration between the theatrical icons didn’t occur simply to make good theater but also to make good money for the theaters who would present it.

So, with this in mind, the play is very successful in enhancing the mood of its audience with it lighthearted qualities and humorous aspects. While this reviewer didn’t particularly enjoy the instances when the flow of the play was interrupted for the sake of singing a song, I did find the performances pleasing and the interpretations of the characters well approached. There were several issues the play did skim over which I would have liked seen further explored, but that would make “They're Playing Our Song” a very different play and may not have achieved the financial success it was intended. Incidentally, Carole Bayer Sager is best known for co writing the song, “Groovy Kind of Love.”

However, there is one aspect of the play this reviewer would like to speculatively explore and that is the seemingly different construction of the first and second acts. As mentioned earlier, “They're Playing Our Song” was created through a collaboration between two theatrical Icons. Neil Simon remains a defining force in comedic theater while Marvin Hamlisch is similarly regarded in the musical theater. Both has received several well deserving awards for the extremely talented endeavors and meaningful contributions to the performing arts. Yet, when such magnitudinous figures comes together, there are bound to be some egotistical repercussions which effects the work they’re endeavoring to produce.

Upon observing the play “They're Playing Our Song,” this conflict of personalities seemed to had been resolved by giving dominance of each of the play’s acts to one another. It seems the first act was given to Marvin Hamlisch as it contains more musical number and less comedic lines while the second act was given to Neil Simon which has fewer musical pieces and was a bit more funnier. While this speculation may not reflect the reality of the creative process from which the play was produced, it does remain to be a fun thing for a reviewer to do while watching a light hearted play such as this one.

The Shawnee Playhouse production of “They're Playing Our Song” written by Neil Simon with music and lyrics provided by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager was Directed by Carmela Guiteras Mayo and Staged Managed by Jackie Mariani. Amy Rau served the production as its Music Director. David Shappert served as the Production Manager while Jame Russo and Jacob Wexler served the production as its Technical crew. Missy Benefield served as the production’ costumer. Special thanks was shared by the production and were given to The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, The Pocono Medical Center, BreeAnn Connellis, Scotty McIntosh, Sue Jordan, and Jim Lynch.

The Shawnee Playhouse producers are Ginny and Charlie Kirkwood with Midge McClosky serving as the playhouse’s Executive Director. The Group Sales Manager is Mary Horn while Becky Haskell serves as The Shawnee Playhouse’s Sales and Marketing Director. The Box Office Staff includes Barbara Ross, Christina McManus, Stacey Mattern, and Ariel Hudak.

Although this reviewer would have liked to had seen a few of the issues touched upon in “They’re Playing Our Song” explored a bit more deeply, I found it a likable play to view with some very nice acting presented upon the Shawnee Playhouse stage. As mentioned earlier, the work is a very light piece which allows one to be merely entertained so they could forget the realities of their day to day experiences. And, on occasion, this can be a good thing.

The Shawnee Playhouse Production of “They’re Playing Our Song” continues its run until September 1st. Future presentations at The Shawnee Playhouse will include their productions of “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits” running June 15th to September 2nd, “Aladdin, Jr.” running June 21st to August 24th, “The Shawnee Story” running June 23rd to September 1st, “Cats” running June 29th to August 25th, and “High School Musical, Jr.” running July 5th to August 25th. Please contact The Shawnee Playhouse at 570-421-5093 or Explore their website at www.theshawneeplayhouse.com for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Those who enjoy the Passionate Art Lover level of membership in The Forwardian Arts Society are offered a $3.00 discount off the admission fee of The Shawnee Playhouse Feature and Headline Productions.

Photograph provided by The Shawnee Playhouse.