BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO ... you know it! And so did Neil Sedaka. The musical of the same name, featuring other top easy-listening tunes by Sedaka, will get its London premiere in the new year....
The London premiere of Breaking Up is Hard to Do, a comedy musical with a book by Ben H. Winters and Erik Jackson, music by Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield and Phillip Cody with musical arrangements by Tom Kitt is being produced at London’s Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, from 29 March through to 23 April 2017, with press night on 31 March at 7.30pm.
This musical features eighteen songs by pop icon Neil Sedaka including “Stupid Cupid”, “Laughter in the Rain”, “Solitaire”, “Oh! Carol”, “Calendar Girl” and of course the unforgettable title track “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”.
Set during the 1960 Labour Day weekend at “Esther’s Paradise Resort Hotel” in Catskills, New York it features friends Marge and Lois from Brooklyn, looking for a good time and romance. They are hoping to find “Where the boys are” as Marge has been jilted at the alter and doesn’t want to be “Solitaire” so takes Lois to her honeymoon destination. Catskills is a resort which showcased young entertainers and Neil Sedaka met his wife of 54 years, Leba, at her Mother’s hotel there and contributed many of his own ventures into the book.
Jordan Murphy will direct the production with musical direction from Oliver Hance and Casting by Harry Blumenau for Debbie O’Brien Casting. The production is produced by Joseph Hodges Entertainments.
Inevitably two boys come along and the foursome together with Esther and the local comedian whisk us to 1960s colours and costume and the heat of Neil Sedaka’s singable catchy tunes. You WILL leave humming one of your favourites, but which one? Casting to be announced.
