Joe Starts Again

Music by Dean Lotherington

Lyrics by Martin Croft and Mark Fletcher

Meet Joe Thompson.  Joe is about to embark on a search for love and companionship, although, by his own admission, it's a search he's finding daunting.  At 49 years of age and 2 years since his partner died, Joe is ready to move on.  But how?  Not inclined to the social whirl, Joe must find another way to meet the person of his dreams.  He decides to join a dating agency and through the process of making a video to send off to prospective dates, and with the help of the receptionist at the agency, Joe is encouraged to peel back the layers of his life and admit what is truly important to him.  Winner of the Green Room Award for Best Original Musical - Book, Score and Lyrics (Music Theatre), and only Australian participant in the inaugural New York Music Theatre Festival (2004).  First performed at Chapel Off Chapel in 2003.
 

"Of all the thing I've seen this year, anywhere, I enjoyed Joe the most."
-Julie Houghton (3MBS)
 

"It's warm and engaging because it doesn't descent to schmaltz... told with humour and poignancy."
- Joel Crotty (The Age)

For production information on "Joe Starts Again" please click on the link below to refer to the Musicals' Catalogue entry at Australian Musicals.com.
 

Image credit:

(Top left) from OzMade Musicals 2004 featuring Martin Croft (Dean Lotherington in background).