The two-character musical by Neil Bartram (music & lyrics) and Brian Hill (book) ran on Broadway for one week in 2009. Maltby also directed. A cast album preserves the score. Regional productions of the delicate show have since sprouted.
The new Muse staging will play Nov. 7, 2010-Jan. 2, 2011, at the Victory Gardens Zacek McVay Theater at the Biograph Theater, 2433 North Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL. Opening night is Nov. 9 at 7:30 PM.
Duffield (Broadway's Cyrano de Bergerac with Kevin Kline) will play eccentric Alvin (Alvin), and Noseworthy (Broadway's Sweet Smell of Success) will play successful novelist Thomas.
The title was chosen by Muse with the help of a committee of theatregoers. The intimate musical concerns a novelist preparing a tribute to his lifelong friend. Maltby, Bartram and Hill are said to be taking a fresh look at the script and score.
Sean Cercone, executive director of Chicago Muse (officially, Chicago Music Theatre), serves as producer of the show. CMT formerly operated as Theatre Building Chicago. Maltby's Broadway directing credits include Ring of Fire, Ain't Misbehavin' and Fosse. He is also respected as a lyricist (Miss Saigon, Song & Dance, Baby, Big, Closer Than Ever and Take Flight). He won a Tony Award for Best Direction for Ain't Misbehavin.
For tickets and information, visit chicagomuse.org or email [email protected].
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A reading committee of 35 theatregoers and artists reviewed and rated more than a dozen shows before ranking The Story of My Life as their top choice for production.
According to CMT, "Chicago Music Theatre is seeking to create a strong collaboration and partnership between theatrical artists and audiences as a means of building an engaged community of passionate advocates in the development and production of new musicals."
"We seek to create an experience that starts long before the house lights dim and the overture begins," Cercone said in a statement. "We believe that providing access and context early in the development process of new musicals will build a community of supporters who are eager champions for these new projects."
Chicago Music Theatre "plans to expand the size and involvement of its member groups in identifying and selecting shows for readings, workshops and ultimate production."
Previously operating as Theatre Building Chicago, the company sold its facility on West Belmont in May in order to focus more resources on the development of musical theatre.
"Our members will be provided hands-on opportunities to interact with theatre professionals in the process of selecting promising new works for readings, workshops, a musical theatre festival and ultimate production," Cercone said. "They will be embraced as authentic contributors to the creation and development process."
