The Goodbye Girl (musical)

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This article is about the musical. For the 1977 film, see The Goodbye Girl.

Original cast recording

The Goodbye Girl is a musical with a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by David Zippel, and music by Marvin Hamlisch.

Based on Simon's original screenplay for the film of the same name, the plot focuses on egotistical actor Elliot, who sublets a friend's Manhattan apartment only to discover it's still occupied by his friend's girlfriend Paula, an ex-dancer, and her precocious pre-teen daughter Lucy. They arrive at an uneasy truce and attempt to co-habitate as peacefully as possible, despite their differences of opinion and temperament.

After twenty-three previews, the production - directed by Michael Kidd (replacing Gene Saks, who was fired following the Chicago previews) and choreographed by Graciela Daniele - opened on March 4, 1993 at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 188 performances. The opening night cast included Bernadette Peters and Martin Short.

After several previews, a revised version (with new lyrics by Don Black) opened on April 17, 1997 at the Albery Theatre in London, where it ran for less than three months. It starred Gary Wilmot and Ann Crumb.

Original cast recordings for both the Broadway and West End productions have been released.