In spite of several Tony nominations and more than 1,000 performances on Broadway, “They’re Playing Our Song” probably hasn’t made anyone’s top 10 (or even top 25) list of favorite musicals. Nevertheless, Beef & Boards’ current production, starring David Schmittou and Sarah Hund as musician Vernon Gersh and lyricist Sonia Walsk, packed the house for an entertaining evening of easy-listening song and dance.
The story, written by playwright Neil Simon, is loosely based on the on-again-off-again romance between Vernon and Sonia, as real-life song-writing duo Marvin Hamlisch and Carol Bayer Sager, who wrote the music and lyrics for the show. Staid and upright character Vernon is looking for a new songwriting partner, and who should answer the call but flighty and free-spirited Sonia?
The great puzzle of this plotline, however, is how nerdy, uptight Vernon ever falls for the chaotic and brash Sonia. For example, in the opening scene, Sonia arrives late (a recurring theme) and immediately invades Vernon’s personal space (and life) with an ex-boyfriend she simply can’t leave behind and detailed discussions about how their relationship should be. He wants to write a song, and she wants to talk feelings. It doesn’t make for a very likely working partnership.
The fast-paced dialogue has all the rhythms of Neil Simon’s familiar “badda-bing” humor, but Schmittou occasionally seemed to struggle with the timing, especially on joke punchlines. As for Hund, in addition to creating a mildly annoying character, she had some trouble with the lower registers of some of her songs, particularly “Workin’ It Out” early in the show.
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The characters struggled with chemistry. Except for the poignancy of the song lyrics, it was difficult to believe that Sonia had any feeling for either of the men in her life. Aside from continually taking calls from ex-boyfriend Leon — to Vernon’s annoyance — and dropping his name into nearly every conversation, it was hard to believe there was any heartbreak to recover from. And as the romance between Vernon and Sonia continued, their clashing personalities made a relationship between the two inconceivable.
An exceptionally delightful moment in the show came mid-way through the first act when Sonia and Vernon try to build on their working relationship as musician and lyricist by going out to dinner. As they sit in the restaurant together, first Vernon, then Sonia hears a song each has written in the past being played on the radio. Their reactions during “They’re Playing Our Song” are as real and joyful as kids getting just what they wanted on Christmas morning, as puppies let loose in the yard, as happy as artists knowing they’ve created something that will last. Vernon leaps from his seat and admonishes the room to “Shh! Shh! Shh!” so everyone can listen. Sonia stands on her chair and dances around the room during the playing of the song she wrote. Their joy is palpable and contagious. And it’s at this moment in the show that we finally begin to like quirky Sonia and nerdy, straight-laced Vernon and perhaps see what they claim to see in each other.
“They’re Playing Our Song” has 1970s written all over it, and it was clear that the Beef & Boards production leaned toward that time period with its set, costumes and fabulous ‘70s hair. The setting — most of the show took place in Vernon’s apartment — was a grand piano in a sitting room with a leather love seat and chair just as you might imagine for a songwriter’s home.
Despite its being a B-list musical, it is still — as always — an enjoyable evening at Beef & Boards. “They’re Playing Our Song” runs through Feb. 3. Visit beefandboards.com for more information.
