They're Playing Our Song

by Neil Simon

America’s premier funny man and the Tony Award-winning composer of A Chorus Line; collaborated on this hit musical; a funny, romantic show about an established composer and his relationship with an aspiring young female lyricist, not unlike Carole Bayer Sager. Professionally, their relationship works beautifully, but ultimately leads to conflict on the home front. Of course, there’s a happy ending.

Genres: Plays, Musicals

Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Marvin Neil Simon (July 04, 1927 - August 26, 2018) was an American playwright and screenwriter.

He wrote more than 30 plays and he received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer. Simon was one of the most reliable hitmakers in Broadway history, as well as one of the most performed playwrights in the world.
Though primarily a comic writer, some of his plays, particularly the Eugene Trilogy and The Sunshine Boys, reflect on the twentieth century Jewish-American experience.

Reviews

[Jojo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: Sonia and Vernon are both songwriters and hook up to write together. Sonia is constantly late and has this obsession with helping out her ex, Leon. Despite all this, Vernon continues to work with her and eventually the two even date. But because Sonia is such a terrible person (I really truly believe this), things don't work out and they split. Then Vernon is in the hospital in California after getting hit by a car. Sonia shows up to visit him. Back in New York, Vernon arrives at Sonia's and the two decide to give it another go.
Review: I'm sorry but are you kidding me? This woman was insufferable!! Who the hell would put up with someone like this in any capacity?? After just a couple scenes, I didn't understand how this play could go on because why on earth would Vernon keep seeing/working with her?! I just can't. Perpetually late and always running off to her ex? No. So yeah, my gripe is how horrid she was and yet he keeps giving her more chances. Pissed me off. The play itself I guess is okay but I just could not stand the main characters.
Grade: D

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping to like this, as I really enjoy several of the songs from the score. However, I just didn’t like Vernon or Sonia. Sonia was pathetic and was just too obsessed with Leon to be a character I wanted to like. Vernon has sooo many sarcastic lines, he just comes off as an ass.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful romance play about song writing, communicating and trust.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small Musical about a song writing duo.

[Will Farris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This took me forever to read. It was just so boring, and I just didn’t care about the characters. Had some good songs though. My opinion would possibly change if I saw it live.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an awful musical. I decided to read the script and then play the songs when I reached them which led to a strange tonal change at times. It took place in 1979 so there are some very disco-y tunes that doesn't feel like it matches what's being read in the script. There are some songs that I disliked but found them buzzing around in my head long after.

It's not a great book by Neil Simon. There are only two characters (Vernon and Sonia) and their romance is ridiculous even for a romantic comedy.

[Nicolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the music, but the script was a mixed bag. The characters weren't particularly likable and the dialogue was a little manic. It was like getting in a fist fight with one-liners and losing. I think it would be a real challenge to do a successful stage version of this one. That being said, there is something about it that intrigues me.

Tune in here for a discussion on some favorite Neil Simon plays: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...

[Chambers Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a dated book.
But the score still has some real winners.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and memorised!! Simon's witty script hasn't dated at all and the songs are by turn lively and moving. Looking forward to performing it at the end of May 2016.