They’re Playing Our Song
Book by Neil Simon - Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager
Zoe Gertz and Justin Smith
With
Jordan Angelides, Octavia Barron-Martin, Kat Hoyos,
Matthew Manahan, Chloe Marshall and Quinton Rofail Rich
Directed by Lisa Callingham
Musical Director David Gardos
Producer Michelle Guthrie
Design Elements Ruby Jenkins
Stage / Company Manager Krystelle Quartermain
Wednesday 14 February at 2pm & 7.30pm
Thursday 15 February 730pm
Friday 16 February 730pm
Saturday 17 February 2pm and 730pm
Sunday 18 February 1pm and 6pm
at
Hayes Theatre Co
They're Playing Our Song is one of Australia’s most loved musicals, With a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carol Bayer Sager and music by Marvin Hamlisch. The musical’s story is based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager, a wisecracking composer finds a new, offbeat lyricist, love, romance and mayhem insures.
Featuring the musical numbers Workin' It Out, When You're in My Arms, and They're Playing Our Song the musical will be directed by Lisa Callingham.
“Lisa Callingham has been in the industry for over 40 years. Spanning the gamut of the musical theatre cannon as performer, choreographer, performing arts mentor and director,” said producer Michelle Guthrie.
“What’s not to love about a sweet, heartwarming musical comedy, put together by the creative team of Neil Simon, Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager,” said director Lisa Callingham. “The script is incredibly witty and full of classic Neil Simon humour, one liners and show business “in-jokes” and along with the wonderful music, truly transports me personally back to the 70’s where the world was full of optimism and anything seemed possible.”
In the role of Sonia the kooky lyricist is the incomparable Zoe Gertz. Known for her multiple award-nominated performance as Captain Beverley Bass in Come From Away, Zoe was last seen at Hayes in She Loves Me and Neglected Musicals’ Big River.
Justin Smith returns to Neglected Musicals as Vernon, the funny but awkward composer making his way through the pop music scene in the mid-seventies. Justin can currently be seen in the TV series The Artful Dodger and was recently Gough Whitlam in The Dismissal at The Seymour Center.
Joining them as the voices of Sonia and Vernon are Jordan Angelides last seen at Hayes in Catch Me If You Can; Octavia Barron Martin who recently starred as Sir John Kerr in The Dismissal and was in Bells Are Ringing and Nice Work If You Can Get It at Hayes; Kat Hoyos who is best known for playing Layla in Here Come The Habibs, and who also toured in Jersey Boys and Hairspray; Matthew Manahan who plays Ben in Network Ten’s Bureau of Magical Things and was last seen at Hayes in Cabaret and recently performed in La Cage at the State Theatre; Chloe Marshall whose Neglected Musicals debut was in Brigadoon and has since performed in Hairspray and with Todd McKenny; and Quinton Rofail Rich who played Stephen in Neglected Musicals IF/THEN, previously having performed in The Deb, Godspell and The Dismissal.
“For me, there’s such romanticism about the music and ultimately, it’s a simple love story… of 2 complex people. I can’t wait for the brilliant cast we’ve assembled to bring this show to life and introduce They’re Playing Our Song to our Neglected Musicals audience,” added Lisa Callingham.
The musical opened on Broadway in February 1979, where it ran for 1,082 performances. The cast starred Robert Klein and Lucie Arnaz. Notable cast replacements included Stockard Channing and Victor Garber. On the West End the musical starred Tom Conti and Gemma Craven running for over 2 years. The original Australian production opened in August 1980 at the Theatre Royal starring John Waters and Jackie Weaver. Seth Rudetsky and Sutton Foster starred in a one night only benefit in 2010 and LA’s Reprise Theatre Company production starred Jason Alexander and Stephanie J Block. Other Australian productions have included the 2003 The Production Company staging with Sharon Millerchip and Ian Stenlake and The Ensemble in 2015 with Georgie Parker and Simon Burke.
Neglected Musicals presents a chosen musical in full with scripts in hand, accompanied by a piano after only one day’s rehearsal.
There have been 26 previous Neglected Musicals presentations: NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, GIRL CRAZY, SEE SAW, MY FAVORITE YEAR, SHE LOVES ME, NICK AND NORA, ON THE 20TH CENTURY, LUCKY STIFF, VARIATIONS, SUPERMAN, DEAR WORLD, THE GOODBYE GIRL, BABY THE MUSICAL, CALAMITY JANE, MAME, ME & MY GIRL, BIG RIVER, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, APPLAUSE,
THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE, IRENE, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, BRIGADOON, BELLS ARE RINGING, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and IF/THEN.
*Cast subject to change without notice
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au or phone 02 8065 7337
Key Facts:
Neglected Musicals is a theatre initiative dedicated to presenting musical theatre that has never or rarely been in Australia. The musicals are presented with scripts in hand, piano accompaniment, after only a day’s rehearsal.
About us:
Contact details:
Michelle Guthrie
Michelle@michelleguthrie.com.au
0412 547 297
