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They're Playing Our Song
By Joseph N. Feinstein
With a book by master playwright Neil Simon, beautiful music by Marvin Hamlisch, and clever lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, Executive Director Ronn Goswick is presenting They're Playing Our Song as the first production of the second season of the Valley Musical Theatre.
This is a romantic comedy starring Vicki Lewis as Sonia, a lyricist, who meets Scott Waara as Vernon, a composer. Cleverly interwoven in the plot are three male "Voices of Vernon" and three female "Voices of Sonia" who appear intermittently to sing, dance, and move scenery. All this is backed up with a five-piece band under the direction of John Randall.
The play was first produced on Broadway in 1979 and received a Tony nomination as Best Musical for that year. All the expected cleverness of Mr. Simon's dialogue comes through. Sonia's first visit to Vernon's high-rise apartment has her exclaiming about Vernon's Oscar on the mantle. Vernon tells her, "Don't touch it, there's chocolate inside!" Vernon shares his feeling about his therapist when he says, "If you went to his funeral, he'd probably charge you for the hour."
Act One is much more satisfying than Act Two. Its pace is quicker; the songs are more plentiful; the action moves forward; the dialogue is so much crisper. However, Act Two offers us the hit song, "I Still Believe in Love," which was recorded by Johnny Mathis and achieved
platinum status for him. The remaining nine songs in the show, while not among Hamlisch and Sager's best, are very easy to listen to.
The set consists of a piano in an apartment with a New York skyline shining through its windows. Credit Brett J. Banakis for a sophisticated backdrop. Lighting design by John E. D. Bass creates the necessary moods as background for the couple's ever-changing relationship. Phillip Allen's sound could have been tuned up a notch, for when Sonia and Vernon say those sweet nothings to each other, I found myself straining to hear. Dan Mojica's direction and choreography includes some clever and unusual shtick, such as making two "Voices' into headlights of a car. Shanon Mari Mills lovely face, voice, and dance-ability is sure to please. Above all, the beautiful voices of Lewis and Waara will surprise and delight you.
It's a swinging show, which, unfortunately, has too short a run. If you're looking for an entertainment featuring happy songs, some funny lines, and an overall
feel-good mood, this show can still be yours. And don't worry about Leon - everyone survives beautifully.
They're Playing Our Song El Portal Theatre Main Stage 5269 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood. Tel. 213-700-7666 Tickets $35 - $50. Tuesday - Friday @ 8:00 p.m.; Saturday @ 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 2:00 p.m.
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