Bright Lights, Big City (musical)

Bright Lights, Big City is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Paul Scott Goodman, based on the 1984 novel of the same name by Jay McInerney. The musical follows Jamie Conway, a young aspiring writer in 1980s New York City, as he spirals into a world of drugs, alcohol, and fleeting relationships following the death of his mother. He works as a fact-checker at a prestigious magazine but finds himself increasingly disconnected from his work and surrounded by the allure of the city's vibrant nightlife.

The musical explores themes of grief, ambition, identity crisis, and the perils of excess in a fast-paced, materialistic environment. Jamie's journey is marked by his self-destructive behavior and his attempts to escape the pain of his loss. He drifts further from his wife, Amanda, whose own career aspirations create a rift between them.

Productions of Bright Lights, Big City have varied in scale and interpretation. The original Off-Broadway production opened in 1999 at the New York Theatre Workshop. While the original production received mixed reviews, the musical has gained a cult following and has seen numerous subsequent productions in regional theaters and colleges. The score incorporates elements of pop, rock, and contemporary musical theatre styles.