In My Life

"Honest to God, I don't know where it came from," first-time Broadway composer Joe Brooks says when pressed about the origin of his show In My Life. "I just sat down and started to write it."

It is an existential musical about a boy and girl who fall in love in contemporary Manhattan, but with a catch—the boy has Tourette Syndrome and the girl suffers from insecurites that make romance unlikely. As if that weren't enough to make this new tuner stand out from the crowd of new fall shows, it should also be noted that In My Life doesn't exactly all take place in New York City. "It happens on two planes," Brooks, who also directs the piece, explains. "One half of the show is here on earth and the other half is in this other place, which we call heaven."

Playing the female half of the lovers is Jessica Boevers, last seen in the earthbound role of Ado Annie in Oklahoma!. "It's about how love can triumph over affliction or fear or illness. Love can conquer all. It's really a beautiful story. There's a deep optimism and romanticism in everything Joe writes." Proof positive—Brooks penned the syrupy Oscar-winning song "You Light Up My Life."

"The story blindsides you," adds Christopher J. Hanke, who will make his Broadway debut as the tic-ridden romantic lead He's reading the bestselling mystery Motherless Brooklyn—which features a character with Tourette Syndrome—for research . "Halfway through, you realize, 'Oh my God. These two lovers can actually work it out in a weird way. It's exciting."

As for Brooks, he has complete confidence in the power of the project: "When we did a workshop last year, people walked out crying. Men, women, sobbing. This show has a huge power."

IN MY LIFE WHERE: Music Box Theatre, 239 West 45th Street WHEN: Starts September 30, opens October 20