Twelve years ago, I was strolling through a video store (!) on the Upper West Side that is long since gone, and I fell in love . . . with a story.

It was the story of a man who, while strolling through a hotel on Mackinac Island, fell in love with the portrait of a woman, who was long since gone.

And yet somehow he found a way to be with her . . .

It’s the story of Somewhere in Time, of course, the movie and novel by the incomparable author Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes, and so many more).

I rented the movie that night I found it in that Upper West Side shop . . . watched it . . . twice . . . and started working on getting the rights to adapt it into a musical the very next day.

It took me five years to get those rights.  But get them I did, and seven years later, I’m thrilled to tell you that Portland Center Stage (in Portland, OR) will present the world premiere this Spring.

I’m also super excited to announce that Scott Schwartz will be directing, John Carrafa choreographing, and Alexander Dodge designing the sets (the rest of the team, as well as the cast, will be announced before you can say, “Is it you?”).

The score is by Emmy Award Winner Doug Katsaros (composer) and Jonathan Larson Award Winner (and nationally ranked crossword puzzle solver) Amanda Yesnowitz (lyricist).  And yours truly is writing the book.

Performances begin on May 28th with a limited run of only 5 weeks.  Because this story is so loved by fans all over the world (check out the fan site here), we expect tickets to be in high demand, so you can get yours now by clicking here.

If you’ve seen the movie or read the novel then you know . . . it just feels like a musical.  And when I tested the title at a focus group a few years ago along with some others names of shows I was working on, it was by far the one that the group was most excited to see.

The whole team has loved putting the show together so far, and I can’t thank Portland Center Stage and Chris Coleman enough for falling in love with the story like I did . . . and to the incredible Richard Matheson, for entrusting it to me and this team.

Like I said at the beginning of this blog, I’ve been working on this idea for awhile.  But now, just like the lead character when he arrives at that hotel and sees that portrait of Elise McKenna . . . the journey has truly begun.

I look forward to giving you an inside peek at the process along the way (sign up here to get all the updates) . . . and I look forward to seeing you in Portland.

And who knows what city we’ll end up in after that.  Maybe something a little closer to home would be nice.  🙂

Here’s hoping you fall in love with our story . . .

Get tickets here.

Check out the official starter website here.

Read the official announcement here.

(Got a comment? I love ‘em, so comment below!  Click here then scroll down to say what’s on your mind!)

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FUN STUFF:

– Get Your Show Off The Ground!  Workshop coming up on 11/17.  Only a few spots left.  Register today.

–  Win 2 Tickets to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf!  Click here to enter!