The Goodbye Girl

Book by Neil Simon
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by David Zippel

About the Show

This warm, light-hearted musical comedy, based on Neil Simon's Oscar-winning film, finds an unlikely romance taking off between Paula, a bitter, single mother who has been jilted one time to many, and Eliot, the egotistical actor who shows up on her doorstep with a lease in hand.  Confusion rules the day until Cupid has his way.

Notes from Artistic Director Charles Burr

I saw the Broadway tryout of The Goodbye Girl when it opened in Chicago. I was immediately impressed that it was a type of musical that is all too rare in today’s Broadway theatre: a modern romantic comedy. It has a light hearted book, full of the humor that has made Neil Simon a household name, and a delightful score. The music is by Marvin Hamlisch who wrote A Chorus Line and They‘re Playing Our Song. The snappy, clever but often soulful lyrics are by David Zippel who has written lyrics for Broadway with City of Angels, and for Disney, in the films, Hercules and Mulan.

The Goodbye Girl is based on Neil Simon's well-known film of the same name, about an unlikely romance between Paula, a bitter, single mother who has been jilted one too many times, and Elliot, the opinionated actor who shows up on her doorstep with a lease to sublet her apartment. Set in New York City, this witty and tuneful musical is also a love letter to the city.

I think you will really enjoy this show. The opening number is one of the best character defining songs of recent musicals. The wooing of Paula is a delight and as Elliot asks Paula’s daughter if he can be her dad, well it is one of those wonderful, lump-in-the-throat reasons we go to the theatre.

“Leaves you a bit happier to be alive! The songs have a tuneful brassiness and giddy rhythmic snap and theclever but soulful lyrics are always deeply felt." - USA Today

“Sparkling... first-rate escapist fun” - The Christian Science Monitor

“A home run and major hit! It’s been a long time since you got that goosebump feeling. The American musical has never been in better shape!”
- Pat Collins, WWOR-TV

The Goodbye Girl opened March 4, 1993.

presented with the generous support of: