Once in a Lifetime, Again
an original musical
After his wife's death, Jesse is racked by guilt for choosing career over love. A meltdown forces him into therapy, where songwriting becomes his doorway into truth. Armed with hard-won insight and shaky courage, he stumbles into the bewildering dating world—a comic, tender quest to find a second great love.
Listen to songs from
‘Once in a Lifetime, Again’
The score includes fifteen original songs, with lyrics and music by Stephen H. Gardner. Click on the tab for links to all the songs.
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 who has little patience for his skepticism and unwillingness to engage. 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 occasionally awkward, often comic, and always tender search to find love anew.
Proven on a New York stage
After its run at the 2026 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in New York City, Once in a Lifetime, Again the reviews were outstanding. Indeed, most shows would be delighted to emerge with just one quote from a reviewer that could be used to promote the show. We are proud to provide the full unedited text from each of three reviews.
“Grief instead straps on a guitar and steps up to the microphone”
—Opening Night Online Reviews
Full production: August 2026
In August, Once in a Lifetime, Again played New York's AMT Theater as a 2026 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival winner. Photos, cast, and creative team from our this run.
The Making of a Musical
From first reading to festival stage, see how Once in a Lifetime, Again has grown, and why its story is far from finished.
A note from the writer
"Hey Boomers – it's 10:00. Do you know where your relationship is?" Stephen H. Gardner on the generation, and the questions, that inspired the show.
What’s Next
The logical next step up after the well-received performances at the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival would be a full run at regional theater or New York based off-Broadway or off-off Broadway theater. We’d love to talk to theaters that support new work, and we have enhancement funds lined up for the right organization and opportunity.
If you are a producer or are connected with any such theater and are interested in learning more about “Once In a Lifetime, Again,” please contact Stephen H. Gardner directly at 917-679-2459, or steve@onceinalifetimeagain.com. We would be pleased to send you a script and/or a link to the archival recording of the Broadway Bound Festival production.
“Definitely worthy of a larger stage”
—Laurie Lawson, Electronic Link Journal