Many in the theatre believed that composer Joseph Brooks — who penned the international hit "You Light Up My Life" — had put his own money into the musical. That, however, is not the case. Although Brooks penned both In My Life's score and book and also directed the production, he did not invest in the musical.
The musical's producer, according to the New York Post, is Fred Whittemore, a former executive at Morgan Stanley. The New York daily said Whittemore decided to keep his name out of the Playbill — which lists producers as Watch Hill Productions and TBF Music Corp. — because he did not want to be bombarded by other shows seeking backers.
Whittemore has also invested in Broadway mountings of Guys and Dolls, The Who's Tommy, The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun and Chicago. In the Playbill biography for Watch Hill Productions, it states, "[The] principal of [Watch Hill Productions] was inspired to support this musical when he heard the most original and memorable score that has come to Broadway in decades."
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." 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.
