Once in a Lifetime, Again
an original musical
When Jesse Davidson’s wife of 30 years dies, he is crushed by grief and remorse. He must find a new path as he embarks on the tender, funny roller coaster of searching for love again.
The Story
It was love at first sight when Jesse and Lydia met at a college party in 1974. Soon enough, they were one of many couples in the generation thrown into new gender roles: two careers, shared parenting —and with that, new stresses, conflict, and pressures.
When Lydia dies of cancer in her late fifties, Jesse is devastated by grief and remorse that he had allowed his all-consuming career to take priority over his love for Lydia. After lashing out at work, he is told he must begin therapy.
We meet Jesse as he begins seeing Dr. Carrie Little, a therapist with no patience for bullshit. Through their work, Jesse discovers that he can examine his failings and regrets with unsparing honesty by writing original songs. Finally ready to try again, 65 years old and a bit lost in a dating world with new rules, Jesse sets out on an often awkward, occasionally comic, and tender search to find love anew.
Listen to songs from
‘Once in a Lifetime, Again’
The score includes sixteen original songs, with lyrics and music by Stephen H. Gardner. Click on the tab for links to all the songs.
Artists featured.
The recordings on these links and photos feature the extraordinarily talented actors and musicians we worked with in the course of producing four readings of ‘Once in a Lifetime, Again’.
They have kindly allowed me to use these recordings and photos on this website.
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Logan Medland is a NY-based composer, lyricist, playwright and music director. BROADWAY: DR. ZHIVAGO, CRAZY FOR YOU (national Broadway tour), A BRONX TALE, CATS (national tour), JERSEY BOYS (national tour). Original work as Writer/Composer: FINGERS AND TOES (NY Music Theatre Festival), LOVE GODDESS, THE RITA HAYWORTH MUSICAL (London 2022).
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John Dossett is a Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee who is currently starring on Broadway as the Wizard in WICKED.
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Lyn’s Broadway/National Tours include GYPSY (starring Bernadette Peters), Monty Python's SPAMALOT, Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt, Disney's On the Record.
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Stephen Gardner is a singer-songwriter who wrote the book, lyrics and music to “Once in a Lifetime, Again.” To learn more, visit www.stephenhgardner.com.
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Lisa Kaine is the lead vocalist for “Not My Problem,” a popular bar band based in Connecticut.
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John Mullen is the lead guitarist for “Not My Problem,” a popular bar band based in Connecticut.
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Adam Weiss is the drummer for “Not My Problem,” a popular bar band based in Connecticut.
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Donnie Kehr is a singer-songwriter, musician, and producer. He co-founded the band Urgent on EMI-Manhattan Records and their album ‘Cast the First Stone’ sold over 400,000 copies.
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Kevin Kuhn is the lead guitarist for the Broadway production of ALADDIN, and was lead guitarist on THE LION KING, also on Broadway.
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Lisa Ratner is a composer, record producer, and performer who co-owned East West Music, one of New York’s leading commercial music houses. Her original songs have been performed by Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Vanessa Williams and many other notable performers.
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Fran Southworth is a singer, songwriter, and actress who wrote over 40 songs for “As the World Turns” and as appeared on dozens of television and radio commercials.
Creative Development
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The first version of ‘Once In A Lifetime, Again’ was a solo play with music. A virtual reading during the pandemic featured Broadway actor Bruce Sabath, with music direction by Logan Medland.
Based on excellent feedback from attendees, the show was expanded into a full-length musical with a full cast.
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The first reading of the full-length ‘Once in a Lifetime, Again’ was on-line and featured an international cast. British stage & screen actor Steve North played Jesse Davidson, live from London, accompanying himself on guitar. New York stage actor Lyn Philistine played Carrie Little and the female characters, live from NYC. Laura Lundy of Blue Panther Productions was Creative Producer and Script Consultant. Five new songs were written for the full-length musical.
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Under the direction of Logan Medland, Broadway musical performer Donnie Kehr recorded seven of the original songs in ‘Once in a Lifetime, Again’ at Millrose Studios, New York City.
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Music Director Logan Medland, Writer/Composer-Lyricist Stephen H. Gardner, and Creative Producer Laura Lundy convened for a 5-day script development workshop and private reading at Open Jar Studios, New York City. Jen Wineman directed AEA actors Tait Ruppert and Michele Ragusa.
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An Actors’ Equity Staged Reading of 'Once in a Lifetime, Again' was held at New York City's Pearl Studios In September, 2022. The cast featured:
John Dossett* - Jesse Davidson
Broadway: Currently starring as the Wizard in WICKED, PARADISE SQUARE, WAR PAINT, CHICAGO.
Off-Broadway: DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Film: THE ORANGES, LITTLE MANHATTAN.Michele Ragusa* - Carrie Little and supporting female characters
Broadway: FLYING OVER SUNSET, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, URINETOWN THE MUSICAL.
Off-Broadway: THE BUTCHER BOY, Irish Rep.Jason Smith - Akila, Bass player NYC: SKINFOLK, dir: Mei Ann Teo, BEULAHLAND.
The 4-piece band included Kevin Kuhn, lead guitarist for ALADDIN and THE LION KING on Broadway. The AEA reading for producers and theater professionals was directed by Jay Stern, with Music Direction by Logan Medland, and produced by Laura Lundy, Blue Panther Productions.
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Here are some quotes
from attendees at the readings