Lucie Arnaz grew up absorbing such sage show biz advice from her parents that she qualified for a starring role in her first Broadway vehicle. The witty Robert Klein was her co-star in the smash hit “They’re Playing Our Song,” the script written by Neil Simon and based on the amusing professional relationship of the show’s composer, Marvin Hamlisch, and lyricist, Carole Bayer Sager.
This week, Arnaz, Klein and Hamlisch reprise favorite scenes in “They’re Playing Our Song — Again!” as NSO Pops conductor Hamlisch rounds out the season with music and comedy that remain fresh and appealing 27 years later.
“The show was so well-written by Neil Simon, and the music was marvelous,” Arnaz says. “I’d always loved Carole’s lyrics, and I knew Marvin casually but never worked with him until then. It was an incredible experience to make my Broadway debut singing music by such a great team and delivering the words of a master playwright.
“They’re all such pros. Performing onstage gave me a different view of theater than I had from my background in TV sitcoms. In both cases, I learned my craft from the best.
“We’ve done this program several other times with Marvin and it was very well received, so we hope the Washington audience enjoys it also. We call it the Senior Tour. Marvin does 30 minutes of his wonderful songs, Robert cracks everyone up for 30 minutes and then I follow with 30 minutes of what I do onstage.”
After honing her theatrical career during her teens on “Here’s Lucy,” Arnaz has never been out of the limelight. Between stage shows, films, television documentaries, nightclub gigs and award ceremonies, she has raised five talented and caring children with her actor/writer/producer husband Laurence Luckinbill.
One of their joint projects, the 1996 TV documentary “Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie,” was awarded an Emmy. So little from her parents’ vast collection could be included that Arnaz was inspired to compile a CD-ROM incorporating all of the valuable personal and professional memorabilia.
That project led to a second CD-ROM, “How to Save Your Family History, a 10-Step Guide,” to help others preserve their own family records. Shortly afterward, she and her brother, Desi Arnaz Jr., earned an Emmy nomination as executive producers of the “I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special” on CBS.
The vivacious Lucie Arnaz rarely stood in the wings until her highly acclaimed performance as Muriel Eubanks in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” came to an abrupt halt because of a knee injury. The operation was successful, but the healing process took far longer than anticipated. She returned to the cast shortly before the show ended its Broadway run in October.
Following the Thursday concert, Hamlisch will treat the audience to another of his popular “More with Marvin” sessions, joined by his special guests. What points will Arnaz bring up during the discussion?
“I’m best working off the top of my head,” she says. “Yesterday, Larry and I were asked to speak to the grad students at NYU. The professor told us to just show up as if we were invited out to dinner. The first few questions came slowly, but before long, every hand was waving. I love to speak extemporaneously. That’s why, for my next job, I want to replace Rosie on ‘The View.’ ”
IF YOU GO …
NSO Pops and conductor Marvin Hamlisch present Lucie Arnaz and Robert Klein in “They’re Playing Our Song — Again!”
» When: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday
» Venue:Kennedy Center Concert Hall
» Tickets: $20 to $80
» Info: 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or www.kennedy-center.org
