FORT LEE, Va. – Fans of the Family and MWR theater group here have gone without live stage performances for more than a year due to the threat of COVID-19.
That wait is over.
In just over a week, the first production of Lee Playhouse’s 2021-2022 main stage season – the Broadway musical “They’re Playing Our Song” – will open at the Lee Theater. Performance dates are Sept. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 8 p.m.; and Sept. 5, 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. All shows are open to the public.
“They’re Playing Our Song” opened on Broadway in 1979 under the direction of Robert Moore. The screenplay is from a story written by Neil Simon, who also created the “Odd Couple” and “Barefoot in the Park.” Carole Bayer Sager (“Arthur’s Theme,” “That’s What Friends Are For”) wrote the lyrics, and Marvin Hamlisch (“A Chorus Line,” “The Way We Were”) wrote the music.
The musical production tells the story about the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager, a wisecracking composer and his newly hired, offbeat lyricist. Initially, the match was not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain.
Described in play reviews as a “funny and charming look at this personal and professional relationship,” the stage show is given further credit by audiences for its “wonderful score filled with memorable songs.”
Shannon Gibson Brown (previously appearing in “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline”) returns to the Lee Playhouse stage in the role of Sonia, the character based on Sager. Eddie Webster makes his theater group premiere in the role of Vernon, the composer based on Hamlisch. Kamaron Carter, Beth Davis, Megan Livingston, TeDarryl Perry, Patrick Siegmund and Kyle Mason Smith round out the talented cast.
The play is under the direction of Frank Foster, a stalwart Lee Playhouse leader. Leilani Fenick is heading up musical direction and Emily Berg-Poff Dandridge is overseeing choreography. The creative team also includes Thomas Hammond, costume design; Matthew Landwehr, lighting; John Redling, sound; Joel Furtick, hair and makeup; and Kathy Dowling, properties. The production stage manager is Heather Davis.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for youth. For reservations or further information, call the box office at 804-734-6629 or 720-0163. The Lee Theater is located at 1100 Mahone Ave, building 4300, adjacent to Burger King. Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals must wear masks in the theater to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
As a reminder to off-post individuals who plan to attend a performance and have not accessed Fort Lee before, there is a vetting requirement for first-time visitors. To receive pre-vetting assistance from the Theater Company, call the box office manager at 804-720-0163 no later than four days prior to the day of the performance you’re planning to attend. Individuals also can complete vetting on their own at the Visitor Control Center near the Lee Avenue Gate. For additional details, visit home.army.mil/lee/index.php/about/visitor-information.
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