Ben Toth and Sam Forman to Compose New Score for Sleepless in Seattle Musical

Composer Ben Toth and lyricist Sam Forman have signed on to write the music for the forthcoming musical adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle, according to Deadline.com. As previously announced, the musical will include a book by Jeff Arch, who co-wrote the movie’s screenplay alongside Nora Ephron, and Lonny Price is set to direct, as previously reported. The production is scheduled to make its world premiere at California’s Pasadena Playhouse in June 2013. No casting has been announced.

Sleepless in Seattle is the story of Sam, a widower living in Seattle whose young son calls a radio talk show and convinces his father to talk about his grief. Women from all over the country are moved by his story, including a Baltimore newspaper reporter named Annie, who writes to Sam and suggests they meet at the top of the Empire State Building.

A reading of the musical was performed in 2011 with Tony nominee Robert Torti as Sam and Broadway alum Brandi Burkhardt as Annie. Directed by Joel Zwick, the reading featured a different score with songs by Michelle Citrin, Michael Garin and John Nelson.

Toth served as the composer for Twelfth Night off-Broadway, and has co-written songs with Steven Sater (Spring Awakening) and Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde). His film scores include Liberal Arts and Patrimony. Forman is the lyricist for Broadway’s Next Season and the lyricist and co-book author of I Sing! His plays include The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall, The Grille Room and Please Stop Talking.