The Story of My Life, according to a casting notice, will be produced by Chase Mishkin, one of the producers of the new Broadway musical Passing Strange.
Story features music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and a book by Brian Hill. The production will feature musical direction by David Holcenberg. Leonard Solloway is the show's general manager.
Tony Award winner Brent Carver and Jeffrey Kuhn starred in the world premiere of The Story of My Life at CanStage in Toronto in fall 2006. Michael Bush directed that production. At that time composer-lyricist Bartram told Playbill.com, "We started writing The Story of My Life because we wanted to explore the nature of lifelong friendships and how those relationships that develop during childhood can change the trajectory of our lives. We also wanted to write an intimate story. Something that, we hope, everyone can relate to on some level." Hill added, "We've each had people who have affected our lives profoundly, even though we may not have known it at the time. Essentially this show is a tribute to them."
The Story of My Life, according to the casting notice, is described as such: "[This new musical] tells the story of Thomas Weaver, a successful writer who returns to his hometown to deliver the eulogy at the funeral of his lifelong friend, Alvin Kelby. Unable to find the appropriate words to celebrate his friend's life, Thomas pages through the story of their lives together, from their unconventional introduction to their ultimate estrangement, in search of his role in his friend's untimely death."
Thomas is described as a "successful and charismatic writer of inspirational stories who has embraced success at the expense of his personal life. The play follows his journey from a carefree six-year-old to a conflicted and emotionally blocked 35-year-old." Alvin is a "youthful, childlike and sensitive free-spirit with a unique perspective on life. Also possesses an undercurrent of serenity. His adoration for his friend is complete and unconditional." Maltby, known as the lyricist partner of composer David Shire, wrote songs for the musicals Closer Than Ever, Big, Baby and Take Flight. The latter made its world premiere in London and will be seen in September at New Jersey's McCarter Theatre. Maltby has also directed the Broadway productions of Ring of Fire, Fosse, Ain't Misbehavin' and Baby. He won the Tony for his direction of the original production of Ain't Misbehavin'.
