Composing Team Named for Sleepless in Seattle Musical

Michelle Citrin, Michael Garin and Josh Nelson have been chosen by producer David Shor to write the score for a forthcoming musical version of the hit film comedy Sleepless in Seattle. The show, featuring a book by screenplay co-author Jeff Arch and directed by Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), is now aiming to debut on Broadway on Valentine’s Day 2011.

Sleepless in Seattle was first announced in June 2009 with composer Leslie Bricusse collaborating with Arch and Zwick for a projected opening in early 2010. Bricusse, who wrote 18 songs for the show, departed in July, and Shor commented, “We’re looking for a bit of a more contemporary sound.” He discovered Citrin singing “20 Things To Do With Matzah” on YouTube and began corresponding with her via Facebook. She brought in Nelson, and Arch brought in his former classmate Garin. “Who knew that Facebook and YouTube would break the mold to discover new voices for the theater?” Shor said in a statement.

Citrin’s YouTube hits also include “Ross Hashanah Girl” and “Pass the Candle.” She has written and performed her own songs on international tour and for an upcoming album titled “Left Brained Right Hearted.” Garin co-wrote and co-starred in the off-Broadway musical hit Song of Singapore and is a popular performer and pianist at New York City nightclubs. Nelson is a classically trained conductor, vocalist, pianist and double-bassist who has released five CDs of original music.

Sleepless in Seattle centers around Sam, a widower and single father. When Sam's son, Jonah calls into a talk radio program looking for a new mother, Sam ends up getting on the phone and laments about his lost love. Thousands of miles away, Annie hears the program and immediately falls in love with Sam, despite the fact that she has never met him and that she is engaged to another man. Believing they are meant to be together, Annie sets out for Seattle to meet Sam, who, meanwhile, contends with an onslaught of letters from available women equally touched by his phone call.