RIALTO CHATTER: Simon's 'SONG' Gets Starry Reading, Toronto & Broadway Runs Eyed

Current MARY POPPINS star Christian Borle and Sherie Rene Scott led a private industry reading late last week of the musical THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG.  

Dancap Productions, the Toronto based producing team that currently presents the Canadian productions of JERSEY BOYS and THE TOXIC AVENGER, presented the reading which was directed by Tony winner Kathleen Marshall.

Composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager joined with Neil Simon in 1978 to bring their "almost" real life story to the musical stage. Dancap Productions Inc. confirmed the reading, adding that "revivals in both Toronto and New York are possible but speculative for the moment." No official confirmation of any transfers is available at this time and it must be noted that the project is in the very early stages of development.

Anastasia Barzee, Stacie Morgan Lewis, Lindsay Mendez, Richard Todd Adams, Richard Roland and Matthew Shepard were also featured in the Dancap reading.

Dancap Productions Inc. is dedicated to producing the best of Broadway-style theatre created in collaboration with acclaimed artists and award-winning creative teams that will engage theatre lovers in Toronto, throughout Canada, and around the world. Dancap Productions Inc. is committed to providing audiences with memorable theatrical events while offering patrons access to unique promotional and membership opportunities to enhance their theatre-going experience.

Produced by Emanuel Azenberg, the musical originally had its world premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in December 1978. After eleven previews, the Broadway production, directed by RoBert Moore and choreographed by Patricia Birch, with Robert Klein and Lucie Arnaz (in her Broadway debut) in the leading roles, opened on February 11, 1979 at the Imperial Theatre.

An original cast recording was released by Casablanca Records.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.