Joe Brooks' In My Life Opens 0n Broadway Oct. 20

By Andrew Gans
20 Oct 2005

Christopher J. Hanke and Jessica Boevers in a scene from In My Life.
Christopher J. Hanke and Jessica Boevers in a scene from In My Life.
Photo by Joan Marcus

In My Life, the second new musical of the Broadway season, officially opens at the Music Box Theatre Oct. 20. Previews for the production, which features a score and direction by Oscar winner Joe Brooks, began Sept. 30.

Produced by Watch Hill Productions and TBF Music Corporation, In My Life features musical staging by Richard Stafford. The company includes Jessica Boevers as Jenny, Christopher J. Hanke as J.T., Roberta Gumbel as Liz, Chiara Navarra as Vera, David Turner as Winston, Michael J. Farina as Al, Laura Jordan as Samantha, Roberta Gumbel as Liz and Michael Halling as Nick. The ensemble comprises Courtney Balan, Carmen Keels, Kilty Reidy and Brynn Williams.

The musical, according to production notes, is a "romantic musical comedy about two young lovers who are unwitting participants in God's first reality opera."

Broadway newcomer Joe Brooks is the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Song for "You Light Up My Life," from the film of the same title which he wrote, directed and produced for Columbia Pictures. He also wrote and arranged the score of the movie.

According to Billboard "You Light Up My Life" was the most successful single record in the history of recorded music, selling more than seven million copies and staying at number one in the country for more than three months. The hit song will not be heard in the score to In My Life. Song titles do include "Life Turns on a Dime," "It Almost Feels Like Love," "Perfect for an Opera," "What a Strange Life We Live," "Doomed," "Sempre Mio Rimani," "I Am My Mother's Son," "Volkswagen," "Headaches," "When I Sing," "Secrets #1," "In My Life," "A Ride on the Wheel," "Didn't Have to Love You," "When She Danced," "Not This Day," "Floating On Air" and "On This Day." Brooks' other film work includes writing the scores for the Oscar-winning films "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis" and "Marjoe," which won the Best Foreign Film and Best Documentary, respectively, and serving as composer, lyricist and arranger for "The Lords of Flatbush."

Brooks composed and co-wrote the lyrics for Metropolis: The Musical, which was presented at London's Piccadilly Theatre. The show has been seen in regional theatres across America and is expected to have a New York premiere in spring 2006, directed by Richard Foreman.

The creative team for In My Life also includes Allen Moyer (scenic design), Catherine Zuber (costume design), Christopher Akerlind (lighting design), John H. Shivers (sound design), Wendall K. Harrington (projection design) and Tom Watson (hair and wig design).

Broadway's Music Box Theatre is located in Manhattan at 239 West 45th Street. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. Tickets are $26.25-$101.25 and may be purchased by phoning (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.