Customer Reviews

They're Playing Our Song - Original Broadway Cast

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

An excellent no-frills musical from the 1970's with an impeccable pedigree - music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and a script by Neil Simon (allegedly based on the actual Hamlisch/Sager relationship). The stars were Robert Klein and a dazzling Lucie Arnaz (daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz). The only other cast members were three boys and three girls - basically backup singers and dancers - who had the habit of suddenly appearing from within the scenery to act as the leads' alter egos.

The plot was simple enough - egotistical and mega-successful composer takes on a new lyricist - a kooky, insecure incurable romantic still bruised by a recently ended affair. Of course, the two are totally different and dislike each other on first sight. But anyone who has ever seen a musical knows they are destined to end up together.

This musical with just two characters worked because of the rapid-fire dialogue, the fast-paced direction, the clever sets, the larger than life performances, and the songs. I'm always surprised that songs from They're Playing Our Song have not become standards because it is such a solid and inventive score. The uptempo title song and others such as "Workin' It Out" had the same sort of catchy hooks as the disco music of the time. But better than that, the show was filled with soulful and reflective ballads such as "Fallin'", "If He Really Knew Me", "Just For Tonight", and "I Still Believe In Love". In fact, the score is much stronger - and stands much better on its own - than the one from Hamlisch's other great success A Chorus Line.

Lucie Arnaz lit up Broadway with her performance in this show and it's easy to hear why on this CD. A lesson current producers could learn from They're Playing Our Song is that a musical doesn't have to be big to be good.

By the way, there is also a recording available of the London cast in which Tom Conti conclusively proves that the Brits are no better at doing American accents than Dick Van Dyke was at being a cockney in Mary Poppins!

I was 4 years old when this play hit broadway. My parents went to see the play and brought home the album. My sister and I use to listen to it over and over again. What a wonderful display of what broadway can really do!! On a recent trip to broadway, fast forward 24 years, I was reminded of my experience with these songs and thought to look for the CD on line. I am beyond happy that I have found it and order 3 copies . . one for my mom, my sister, and me!! They will continue to play their song in my home for years to come and hopefully my future children will learn to love it just as much as I do without ever seeing the play!! This album is truly a classic . . .there is not one song that I don't love!

THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG is one of the more delighful musicals penned during the 'wilderness years' of the late-70's. It starred Lucie Arnaz and Robert Klein as two unlucky-in-love song writers who end up falling in love with each other.

The score, by Carole Bayer Sager with music by Marvin Hamlisch (A CHORUS LINE) bridges the gap between pop and traditional Broadway music, and includes the numbers "Fallin'", "If He Really Knew Me", "Right" and the Title Song.

Lucie Arnaz spins gold with all her numbers but is most charming in "Just For Tonight" and the 11 o'clock number "I Still Believe in Love".

This musical played a sell-out Broadway season before being mounted in London as well as in Australia, with the latter production starring Jacki Weaver.

I have seen tons of Broadway shows since the mid 70's. I can truly say that this is one of my very favorite cast albums. It is absolutely wonderful. It gives me such a melancholy, sad yet happy feeling. It is a great musical. Buy it NOW!

I saw this on Broadway when I was 18. The music was (and is) lively and fun. I like all the songs, but "Fallin'" and "If He Really Knew Me" really stand out for me. A few years ago, Lucie came to Minneapolis to perform at a benefit for the HIV Drop-In Center I worked for, and sang all her songs from this show. It brought back the excitement of the show, and she was so nice.

I was in a record store when I heard "falling" I had to ask the store clerk what they were playing over the PA. The song just blew me away. I have yet to see the actual play, but I've played the soundtrack thousands of times. By reading the jacket cover I could somewhat follow the story, but even without the play, the songs come through. Because the songs deal with universal themes of romantic insecurities, the cost of taking risks, and the desire to connect with that special someone, the story need not be relevant. Buy this CD. You won't regret it.

I first saw this musical on my 21st birthday in Chicago (with Victor Garber and Lucy Arnaz) and have just HAD to own the album since that night (which only made me wish I had seen Robert Klein in the role) ... so I've just ordered my fourth copy - the others were worn out! The music is delightful and you'll have no problem following the changing roles of the two leads ... from feuding egomaniacs (who just happen to write beautiful music together) to the lovestruck couple that first can't live with each other, and then can't even write without each other. It's a beautiful love story and an album that will have you playing it again and again ... just to learn the words so you can sing along!

I was happily surprised at the simplicity and heart-felt music and lyrics...the show is charming!

Many years ago, I saw this performed by Lucie Arnaz and her real-life husband, Lawrence Luckinbill, in Wash., D.C.

A year or so ago, Robert Klein appeared with conductor Marvin Hamlisch and the Washington National Symphony Pops at the Kennedy Center, and Klein performed one of the songs from this show.

I was fortunate to see the Broadway musical back in the late 1970s. The love story of Marvin Hamlich and Carole Bayer Sager was done so well, I wish they would remake it again.