Merrily We Roll Along (1981)
Words & Music: Stephen Sondheim
Book: George Furth
Premise: The story of three friends is recounted in reverse, from 1976 back to their first meeting as optimistic young college students in 1957. The plot focusses on Franklin Shepard, who we first encounter as a rich and famous songwriter and movie producer, and we track his changing fortunes with best friends Charley Kringas – a playwright and Frank's lyricist – and Mary Flynn, a novelist and theatre critic. We learn that Frank sells out his friends and integrity in the pursuit of wealth and fame.
Background: The musical is based on a 1934 play of the same name by Geroge S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The idea came from a suggestion from Harold Prince's wife Judy that he work on a show about teenagers. Sondheim agreed to write the music and lyrics, and the pair brought on board book writer George Furth, with whom they had worked on Company (1970). The show began previewing at the Alvin Theatre on 8 October 1981 and, after 44 previews, ran for just 16 performances, crippled by harsh critical reviews and audience walk-outs. It heralded the end of the Sondheim-Prince era, with the pair not working together again until Bounce in 2003. The one and only Broadway revival, directed by Maria Friedman more than 40 years later, finally allowed the show to resonate with audiences, winning four Tony awards and enjoying full houses for most of the run.
Major productions/concert performances:
Broadway Production (1981)
Alvin Theatre (now Neil Simon Theatre), 250 W. 52nd St., New York, NY
Previews: 8 October 1981 (52 preview performances)
Opens: 16 November 1981
Closes: 28 November 1981 (16 performances)
Director: Harold Prince
Producers: Lord Grade, Martin Starger, Robert Fryer and Harold Prince, in association with Ruth Mitchell and Howard Haines
Choreography: Larry Fuller
Set Design: Eugene Lee
Costume Design: Judith Dolan
Lighting Design: David Hersey
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Musical Direction: Paul Gemignani
Makeup and Hair: Richard Allen
Sound Design: Jack Mann
Casting: Joanna Merlin
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Jim Walton [replaced James Weissenbach during previews on 19 October]
Mary Flynn: Ann Morrison
Charley Kringas: Lonny Price
Gussie: Terry Finn
Joe Josephson: Jason Alexander
Beth: Sally Klein
Franklin Shepard (age 43): Geoffrey Horne [introduced during previews on 10 November]
Jerome: David Cady
Terry: Donna Marie Elio
Ms. Gordon: Maryrose Wood
Alex / Talk Show Host: Marc Moritz
Gwen Wilson: Tonya Pinkins
Ted: David Loud
Les: David Shine
Mr. Spencer: Paul Hyams
Mrs. Spencer: Mary Johansen
Meg: Daisy Prince
Ru: Forrest D. Ray
Bartender: Tom Shea
Evelyn: Abby Pogrebin
Valedictorian: Giancarlo Esposito
George / The Headwaiter: James Bonkovsky
Girl Auditioning: Marianna Allen
Nightclub Waitress: Liz Callaway
Photographer: Stephen Jacob
Sound Man: Clark Sayre
Waiter: Gary Stevens
Swing / Dance Captain: Janie Gleason
Understudies: David Cady (Frank), Liz Callaway (Mary), David Loud (Charley), James Bonkovsky (Joe), Daisy Prince (Beth), Marianna Allen (Gussie)
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
“The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company
“Merrily We Roll Along (1980)” – Company
“Rich and Happy” – Frank and Guests
“Merrily We Roll Along (1979-1975)” – Company
"Darling!" – Gussie, Mary, Kate [cut during previews]
“Old Friends” – Mary, Charley
“Like It Was” – Mary
“Merrily We Roll Along (1974 -1973)” – Company
“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
“Old Friends” (reprise) – Mary, Frank, Charley
“Not a Day Goes By” – Frank
“Now You Know” – Mary and Company [included a long dance sequence that was cut in previews; no credit is given to the arranger]
Act Two
“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Mary, Charley
“Merrily We Roll Along (1964-1962)” – Company
“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank, and Company
“Merrily We Roll Along (1961-1960)” – Company
“Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Frank, Ted
"Thank You for Coming" – Charley, Beth, Frank, Ted [cut during previews]
"Honey" – Beth, Frank [cut during run, after approximately three weeks]
“Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Frank, Mary
“Opening Doors” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning, Beth
“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, and Company
“The Hills of Tomorrow” (reprise) – Company
Awards
Drama Desk: Outstanding Lyrics (Stephen Sondheim)
Recording
Merrily We Roll Along - Original Broadway Cast Recording
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LP (half-speed master audiophile recording}, 1981 [RCA CBL1-4197] (62:00)
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Cassette, 1982 [RCA CBK1-4197]
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Compact Disc, 1986 [RCA RCD1-5840] (includes "It's a Hit!") (66:38)
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Compact Disc, 2007 [82876 68637-2] Masterworks Broadway Remaster
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Compact Disc, 2011 [88697 90257 2] Masterworks Broadway Digipak (with "It's a Hit!" and "Not a Day Goes By" by Bernadette Peters)
Producer: Thomas Z. Shepard
Engineer: Paul Goodman
Mastering: George Drebot
Recorded: RCA's Studio A, New York City, on 29 November 1981
Liner notes and synopsis: Robert Kimball
Lyrics included
Selections: Overture (3:55), "The Hills of Tomorrow" / "Merrily We Roll Along (1980)" / "Rich and Happy" (10:21), Merrily We Roll Along (1979-1975)" / "Old Friends" / "Like It Was" (3:58), "Merrily We Roll Along (1974-1973)" / "Franklin Shepard, Inc." (5:35), "Old Friends" (4:40), "Not a Day Goes By" (2:24), "Now You Know" (4:11), "It's a Hit!" (4:37), "Merrily We Roll Along (1964-1962)" / "Good Thing Going" (5:40), "Merrily We Roll Along (1961-1960)" / "Bobby and Jackie and Jack" (5:12), "Not a Day Goes By" (2:22), "Opening Doors" (6:54), "Our Time" (4:23), "The Hills of Tomorrow" (2:19)
NB: "It's a Hit" was recorded but not presented on the original release of the album; the first issue of the original cast's recording of the song was in A Collector's Sondheim (1986), which also featured the first appearance of Lee Remick's cut "There Won't be Trumpets", among others previously unreleased or cut songs.
Guildhall Production (1983)
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Silk Street, London
Cambridge Arts Theatre, 6 St. Edwards Passge, Cambridge
Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London
European Premiere
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Opens: 28 March 1983
Closes: 2 April 1983
Cambridge Arts Theatre
Opens: 4 April 1983
Closes: 9 April 1983
Bloomsbury Theatre
Opens: 11 May 1983
Closes: 21 May 1983
Performances: 24
Director: Ian Judge
Producers: Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Choreography: Sheila Falconer
Set Design: Akache
Costume Design: Daphe Newington
Lighting Design: George Owczarski
Musical Direction: Firoz Shapur
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Hutton Cobb / Michael Cantwell (alternated)
Mary Flynn: Clare James
Charley Kringas: Bernard Wright
Gussie: Jenny Dunbar
Joe Josephson: Charles Millham
Beth: Deborah Poplett
Older Frank / Jerome: Paul Mulrennen [Adrian Dunbar credited as Older Frank in Cambridge programme]
Terry: Jacqueline Dankworth
Alex: Gordon MacArthur
Ted: Andy Vintner
Les: Michael Cantwell
Kate: Naomi March
Meg: Juliet Brown
Gossip Columnist: Jane Shaw
TV Reporter: Andrew Grant
Protegé: Jean-Marc Barr
Lawyer: Susan Humphries
Waiter: John Green
Sound Man: David Adair
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
“The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
“Rich and Happy” – Frank and Company
“Transition 1” – Company
“Old Friends”/"Like it Was" – Mary
“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
"Transition 2" – Company
“Old Friends” – Mary, Frank, Charley
"Transition 3" – Company
“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
“Now You Know” – Mary and Company
Act Two
“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Mary, Charley
“Transition 4" – Company
"The Blob" – Gussie and Company
“Good Thing Going” – Charley and Frank
“Transition 5” – Company
“Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Frank, Ted
“Not a Day Goes By” – Frank and Mary
“Opening Doors” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning, Beth
“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary and Company
“The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company
Orchestra
Flute/Piccolo: Catherine Russell
Alto Sax/Clarinet: Peter Whyman
Oboe/Cor Anglais: Ellen Marsden
Flute/Clarinet/Tenor Sax: Jonathan Hess
Alto Sax: Colin Smith
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet: John Yuill
Baritone Sax: Katrina Fountain
Clarinet: Ruth Cawsey
Bassoon: Debra Flaxman
Trumpets: Anne McAneney, Martyn Westerman
Trombones: Alan Berlyn, Adrian Lane
Tuba: Kenneth Ferguson
Horn: Simon Morgan
Cellos: Tamsy Kaner, Juliet Somervail
Basses: Anne Lines, Steve Berry
Guitars: Roy Fleming, John Cockram
Keyboards: Debra Wiseman
Percussion: Chris Baron, Keith Fairbairn
Library Theatre Company Production (1984)
Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, UK
UK Professional Premiere
Previews: 27 January 1984
Opens: 28 January 1984
Closes: 18 February 1984
Director: Howard Lloyd-Lewis
Musical Director: Roger Haines
Assistant Musical Director: Alison Carver
Producers: Manchester Library Theatre Company
Choreography: Paul Kerryson
Set and Costume Design: Chris Kinman
Lighting Design: Tim Wratten
Sound Design: Michael Williams
Musical Arranger: Paul Mitchell-Davidson
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Michael Cantwell
Mary Flynn: Tracie Bennett
Charley Kringas: Martin George
Gussie: Maggie Carr
Beth: Felicity Jane Goodson
Joe Josephson: Howard Ward
Meg: Sophia Winter
Frank's Protege: Anthony O'Driscoll
Frank's Maid: Pepsi Maycock
Frank's Backer/Gossip Columnist: Clare Rimmer
Frank's Press Agent: James Galvin
Frank's Interior Decorator: Michael Gyngell
Mrs Spencer/Movie Star/TV Reporter: Michelle Fine
The Older Franklin Shepard/Frank's Attorney/Mr Spencer: Thom Booker
Talk Show Host/Frank's Yes Man: Paul Kerryson
Orchestra:
Keyboards: Roger Haines
Percussion: Geoff Brain
Trombone: Hywel Lewis
French horn: Alan Tokeley
Guitar/Bass Guitar: Paul Mitchell-Davidson
Saxophone/Flute: Munch Manship
La Jolla Playhouse Production (1985)
La Jolla Playhouse (Mandell Weiss Center for the Performing Arts), University of California San Diego, La Jolla Village Drive, CA.
First production of the show following major revisions by Sondheim, George Furth and James Lapine: "Hills of Tomorrow" cut; "RIch and Happy" replaced with "That Frank"; addition of "Growing Up"; "The Blob" reinstated and expanded
Opens: 16 June 1985
Closes: 7 July 1985 (24 performances)
Producer: La Jolla Playhouse (Artistic Director: Des McAnuff)) , by special arrangement with Music Theatre International
Director: James Lapine
Choreography: Lynne Taylor-Corbett
Set Design: Loren Sherman
Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting: Beverly Emmons
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Musical Director: Michael Starobin
Makeup and Hair: Peg Shierholz
Sound Design: John Kilgore
Projections: Wendall Harrington
Stage Management: Johnna Murray, Chris Fielder
Dramaturge: Ira Weitzman
Assistant Director: David Warren
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: John Rubenstein
Mary Flynn: Heather MacRae
Charley Kringas: Chip Zien
Gussie: Mary Gordon Murray
Beth: Marin Mazzie
Joe Josephson: Merwin Goldsmith
Scotty/TV Newsman: Ralph Bruneau
Terry/Reporter/Audience Member: Joy Franz
Kate/Mrs. Spencer: B. J. Ward
Jerome/Minister: Lawrence Raiken
Dory/Audience Member/Evelyn: Rosalyn Rahn
Ruben/Photographer: Stephen McDonough
Rich Party Guest/George/Mr. Spencer: Dick Decareau
Meg/TV Newswoman: Kathleen Rowe McAllen
Tyler Horton: Ray Gill
Musical Numbers:
Act One
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"Merrily We Roll Along" – Company
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"That Frank" – Guests [new for this prodution, replacing "Rich and Happy"]
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"Old Friends" – Mary and Charley
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"Like It Was" – Mary
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"Franklin Shepard, Inc." – Charley
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"Old Friends" – Mary, Frank and Charley
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"Growing Up" – Frank [new for this prodution]
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"Not a Day Goes By" – Beth [reinstated for Beth, not Frank]
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"Now You Know" – Mary and Company [new lyrics]
Act Two
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"Gussie's Opening Number" – Gussie
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"It's a Hit!" – Joe, Frank, Mary and Charley
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"The Blob" – Guests and Gussie [reinstated and expanded]
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"Growing Up" – Gussie (reprise)
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"Good Thing Going" – Charley, Frank and Company
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"Bobby and Jackie and Jack" – Charley, Beth, Frank and Ted
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"Not a Day Goes By" (reprise) – Beth, Mary and Frank
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"Opening Doors" – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning and Beth
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"Our Time" – Frank, Charley, Mary and Company
Arena Stage Production (1990)
Kreeger Theater, 1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, DC
Previews: 30 January 1990
Opens: 8 February 1990
Closes: 8 April 1990
Producing Director: Zelda Fichandler
Associate Producing Director: Douglas C. Wager
Associate Producer: Guy Bergquist
Director: Douglas C. Wager
Choreography: Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Set Design: Douglas Stein
Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Design: Allen Lee Hughes
Sound Design: Susan R. White
Musical Director: Jeffrey Saver
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Projections: Wendall Harrington
Dramaturge: Laurence Maslon
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Victor Garber
Charley Kringas: David Garrison
Mary Flynn: Becky Ann Baker
Gussie: Mary Gordon Murray
Beth Spencer: Marin Mazzie
Joe Josephson: Richard Bauer
Meg: Deanna Wells
Scotty: Tom Hewitt
Terry: Ruth Williamson
Tyler: Erick Devine
Jerome: Rufus Bonds, Jr.
K. T. Lewis: Melodee Savage
Dory: Dorothy Yanes
Ruben: Thom Sesma
Bunker: John Deyle
Maitre D’: Tom Hewitt
TV Newswoman: Ruth Williamson
Photographer: Thom Sesma
TV Newsman: John Deyle
Mrs. Spencer: Ruth Williamson
Mr. Spencer: John Deyle
First Auditioner: Ruth Williamson
Frank Jr.: George Alexander/Thomas Fox/Leo Charles/Jeffrey Bizub (alternates)
Ensemble: Rufus Bonds, Jr., Erick Devine, John Deyle, Tom Hewitt, Melodee Savage, Thom Sesma, Deanna Wells, Ruth Williamson, Dorothy Yanes
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
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“Merrily We Roll Along” – Ensemble
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“That Frank” – Mary, Frank, Guests
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Old Friends
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“Like It Was” – Mary
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“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
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“Old Friends” – Mary, Frank, Charley
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“Growing Up” – Frank
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“Growing Up (reprise)” – Gussie
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“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
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“Now You Know” – Mary, Charley, Frank, Ensemble
Act Two
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“Entr’acte” – Orchestra
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“Opening (Act Two)” – Gussie
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“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Charley, Mary, Beth
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“The Blob” – Gussie, Ensemble
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“Growing Up (reprise)” – Gussie
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“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank
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“Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Frank, Pianist
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“Not a Day Goes By (reprise)” – Beth, Mary, Frank
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“Opening Doors” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, First Auditioner, Beth
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“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Ensemble
[In early previews, "The Hills of Tomorrow" was performed as an epilogue before being cut; the show also opened with a prologue on the rooftop in 1957. Around the time of this production, Sondheim and Furth were experimenting with different ways to start and end the show; one version, for example, closed with "The Hills of Tomorrow" as Frank Jr's graduation song, with the reunited Frank, Charley and Mary looking on proudly.
Leicester Haymarket Theatre Production (1992)
Leicester Haymarket Theatre, 1 Garrick Walk, Leicester, UK
Previews: 10 April 1992
Opens: 14 April 1992
Closes: 9 May 1992
Producer: Leicester Haymarket Theatre
Director: Paul Kerryson
Set and Costume Design: Martin Johns
Lighting Design: Chris Ellis
Sound Design: Shaun Knowles
Musical Director: Julian Kelly
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Cast:
Franklin: Michael Cantwell
Mary: Maria Friedman
Charlie: Evan Pappas
Beth: Jacqueline Dankworth
Gussie: Louise Gold
Joe: Gareth Snook
Waitress/Evelyn: Julie Armstrong
Terry/Minister: Jon Clairmonte
Meg: Lucy Dixon
K.T.: Kate Copstick
Ru: Philip Day
Mrs. Spencer: Michelle Fine
Bunker: Daniel Gillingwater
Make-Up Artist/Reporter: Deirdre Forrest
Scotty/Mr. Spencer: Matthew White
Dory: Dwan Kastelle
Jerome: Philip Wrigley
Dresser/Secretary: Karen Skinns
Tyler: Alan Mosley
Frank, Jr.: Scott Bradley/Dominic Burr/Matthew Fraser
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
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“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
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“That Frank” – Company
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First Transition – Company
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“Old Friends / Like It Was” – Mary, Charley
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“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
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Second Transition – Company
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“Old Friends” – Frank, Charley, Mary
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“Growing Up (Part One)” – Frank, Gussie
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“Growing Up (Part Two)” – Gussie
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Third Transition – Company
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“Not a Day Goes By” – Frank, Beth
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“Now You Know” – Scotty, Mary, Tyler, Frank, Company
Entr’ acte – Orchestra
Act Two
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Act Two Opening – Gussie
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“It’s a Hit!” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Beth, Theatregoers
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Fourth Transition – Company
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“The Blob” – Gussie, Guests
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“Growing Up” (reprise) – Gussie, Frank
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“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank
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“The Blob” (conclusion) – Company
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Fifth Transition – Company
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“Bobbie and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Frank, Beth
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“Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Frank, Beth, Mary
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Sixth Transition – Company
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“Opening Doors” – Charley, Frank, Mary, Joe
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“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Company
Recording
Merrily We Roll Along - Original Cast / Leicester Haymarket Theatre Production
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Compact Disc, 1994 [TER/Jay Productions CDTER 1225] - UK (74 minutes)
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Compact Disc, 1994 [TER/Jay Productions CDTER 1225] - USA, with extended cuts and dialogue (88 minutes (43' 07" and 45' 12"))
Producer: John Yap
Recording Engineer: John Kurlander
Recorded: Abbey Road Studios, London, on 28-30 April 1993
Selections (US release):
Disc One: Overture (2:38), "Merrily We Roll Along" (3:50), "That Frank" (5:33), Scene (0:31), Transition 1 (1:13), "Old Friends"/"Like It Was" (4:08), "Franklin Shepard, Inc." (5:49), Transition 2 (0:50), "Old Friends" (4:04), "Growing Up" (Part One) (3:59), "Growing Up" (Part Two) (2:59), Transition 3 (0:47), "Not a Day Goes By" (2:15), "Now You Know" (4:25).
Disc Two: Entr'acte (1:31), Act Two Opening (2:00), "It's a Hit!" (4:05), Transition 4 (0:54), "The Blob" (2:35), "Growing Up" (3:06), "Good Thing Going" (2:21), "The Blob" (Conclusion) (1:39), Transition 5 (1:03), "Bobby and Jackie and Jack" (4:44), "Not a Day Goes By" (2:19), Transition 6 (0:35), "Opening Doors" (7:13), "Our Time" (Part One) (4:00), "Our Time" (3:41), Bows (1:36), Exit Music (1:45)
The cut song "Honey" was recorded by Jacqueline Danworth and Michael Cantwell as part of this session but only released by Jay Records on The Musicality of Sondheim CD in 2002.
York Theatre Company Production (1994)
York Theatre at St. Peter's Church, New York NY
Previews: 26 May 1994 (14 previews)
Opens: 9 June 1994
Closes: 17 July 1994 (40 performances)
Producer: The York Theatre Company (Janet Hayes Walker, Producing Director and Molly Pickering Grose, Managing Director) and One World Arts Foundation (W. Scott McLucas, Executive Director and George Rondon, Artistic Director)
Director: Susan H. Schulman
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Orchestral Adaptation: G. Harrell
Choreography: Michael Lichtefeld
Musical Direction: Michael Rafter
Scenic Design: James Morgan
Costume Design: Beba Shamash
Lighting Design: Mary Jo Dondlinger
Projection Design: Wendall K. Harrington
Sound: Jim van Bergen
Casting: Jay Binder
Press Representative: Keith Sherman & Associates
Production Manager: Joseph V. De Michele
Production Stage Manager: Perry Cline
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Malcolm Gets
Charley Kringas: Adam Heller
Mary Flynn: Amy Ryder
Beth: Anne Bobby
Gussie: Michele Pawk
Joe Josephson: Paul Harman
Jerome: Philip Hoffman
Meg/TV Newswoman: Amy M. Young
Bunker/TV Newsman/Minister: Ron Butler
Ru/Floor Monitor/Pianist: Danny Burstein
K.T.: Christine Toy
Terry/Mr. Spencer: Rick Crom
Scotty: Adriane Lenox
Dory/Make-up Artist/Mrs. Spencer/Girl Auditioning: Cass Morgan
Tyler/Stage Manager: James Hindman
Frank, Jr.: Jonathan Flanagan
Orchestra: four players (piano, synthesizer, double bass, and drums/percussion); expanded for the cast recording (as below).
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
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“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
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“That Frank” – Frank and Guests
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First Transition – Company
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“Old Friends” – Mary, Charley
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“Like it Was” – Mary
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“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
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Second Transition – Company
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“Old Friends” – Frank, Charley, Mary
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“Growing Up” – Frank, Gussie
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Third Transition – Company
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“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
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“Now You Know” – Mary and Company
Entr’ acte – Orchestra
Act Two
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Opening – Gussie
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“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Charley, Mary, Beth
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Fourth Transition – Company
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“The Blob” – Gussie and Guests
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“Growing Up” (reprise) – Gussie
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“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank
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“The Blob” (reprise) – Company
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Fifth Transition – Company
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“Bobbie and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Frank, Beth and Pianist
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“Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Frank, Beth, Mary
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Sixth Transition – Company
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“Opening Doors” – Charley, Frank, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning, Beth
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Seventh Transition – Frank Jr, Beth, Mrs Spencer
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“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Company
Recording
Merrily We Roll Along - The New Cast Recording
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Compact Disc, 1994 [Varèse Sarabande VSD-5548] (75:16)
Producer: Bruce Kimmel
Associate Album Producer: Michael Rafter
Recording Engineer: Vincent Cirilli, Eric White, Mike Agostino, Mike Ainsworth
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt
Recorded: Clinton Studios, New York, NY
Selections: Overture (3:05), "Merrily We Roll Along" (4:13), "That Frank" (4:20), First Transition (1:14), "Old Friends" / "Like It Was" (3:25), "Franklin Shepard, Inc." (5:08), Second Transition (0:52), "Old Friends" (3:48), "Growing Up" (6:14), Third Transition (1:01), "Not a Day Goes By" (1:46), "Now You Know" (4:17), "Act Two Opening" (1:47), "It's a Hit!" (3:45), Fourth Transition (0:59), "The Blob" (1:35), "Growing Up" (1:45), "Good Thing Going" (2:31), "The Blob" (Part II) (2:00), Fifth Transition (0:44), "Bobby and Jackie and Jack" (4:35), "Not a Day Goes By" (2:07), Sixth Transition (0:35), "Opening Doors" (7:00), Seventh Transition (1:16), "Our Time" (5:00)
Alto Saxophone: Seymour Red Press
Alto Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute/Piccolo: Les Scott
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, English Horn: Dennis Anderson
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon: John Campo
Trumpets: Dave Gale, Glenn Drewes, Larry Lunetta, Lowell Hershey
Trombone: Bruce Bonvissuto
Drums/Percussion: Glenn Rhian, Jim Musto
Electric Bass: John Beal
Keyboards: Steven Tyler, Tom Fay, Tony Geralis
Awards
1995 Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Revival
1995 Obie Award, Best Direction (Susan H. Schulman)
1995 Obie Award, Best Performance (Malcolm Gets)
Donmar Warehouse Production (2000)
Donmar Warehouse, Earlham Street, London
This production reverted to the original framing device of the original, opening with "The Hills of Tomorrow" and including "Rich and Happy" instead of "That Frank"; however, it also retains "Growing Up" (but no reprise) and "The Blob"; as with the original, an older actor portrays the more mature Frank. It has been reported that Sondheim and Furth were unaware of Grandage's plan to present so much of the original material and that they would have halted production if they had found out sooner; however, Sondheim talks favourably of the Donmar show in Finishing The Hat.
A concert version of this production was staged on 31 October 2010 at the Queens Theatre (now the Sondheim) as part of Sondheim's 80th birthday celebrations, directed by Rob Ashford.
Previews: 1 December 2000 (8 previews)
Opens: 11 December 2000
Closes: 3 March 2001 (71 performances)
Director: Michael Grandage [2010 Concert version: Rob Ashford]
Choreography: Peter Darling
Design: Christopher Oram
Lighting: Tim Mitchell [2010: David Plater]
Musical Director: Gareth Valentine
New Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Peter Darling
Sound: Fergus O'Hare for Aura [2010: Terry Jardine]
Cast:
Franklin Shepard (Younger): Julian Ovenden
Charley Kringas: Daniel Evans
Mary Flynn: Samantha Spiro
Beth Spencer: Mary Stockley
Gussie Carnegie: Anna Francolini
Joe Josephson: James Millard
Meg: Emma Jay Thomas
Franklin Shepard (Older): Grant Russell
Miss Gordon (Gossip Columnist)/Mrs. Spencer: Shona White [2010: Suzie Toase]
Bunker/Mr. Spencer: David Lucas
Scotty: Neil Gordon-Taylor [2010: Stuart Matthew Price]
Jerome: Dean Hussain
Ru/Talk Show Host: Matt Blair [2010: Darren Carnall]
Gwen Wilson (TV Reporter): Zehra Naqvi
Terry: Lucy Bradshaw
Musical Numbers:
Act One
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“The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company
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“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
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“Rich and Happy” – Frank and Guests
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“Old Friends” – Mary, Charley
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“Like It Was” – Mary
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“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
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“Old Friends” (reprise) – Mary, Frank, Charley
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“Growing Up” (Part 1) – Frank, Gussie
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“Growing Up” (Part 2) – Gussie
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“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
-
“Now You Know” – Mary and Company
Entr'acte
Act Two
-
“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Charley, Mary, Beth
-
“The Blob” – Gussie and Company
-
“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank
-
“Bobbie and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Frank, Pianist
-
“Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Beth, Mary, Frank
-
“Opening Doors” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning, Beth
-
“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Company
-
“The Hills of Tomorrow” (reprise) – Company
Awards
Laurence Olivier Awards, Best Musical
Laurence Olivier Awards, Best Actor in a Musical (Daniel Evans)
Laurence Olivier Awards, Best Actress in a Musical (Samantha Spiro)
Critics' Circle Awards, Best Director (Michael Grandage)
Kennedy Center Production (2002)
Eisenhower Theater, The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC
Part of the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration (followed by Passion and A Little Night Music)
Previews: 12 July 2002 (3 previews if press matinee on 14 July is considered the opening)
Opens: 14 July 2002 (officially 13 July)
Closes: 24 August 2002 (11 performances)
Producer: Max Woodward for The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts [James A. Johnson, Chairman; Michael M. Kaiser, President; Eric Schaeffer, Artistic Director; Kay Cameron, Music Supervisor]
Director: Christopher Ashley
Choreography: Karma Camp
Musical Director: Eric Stern
Scenic Design: Derek McLane
Costume Design: David C. Woolard
Lighting Design: Howell Binkley
Sound Design: Tom Morse
Projection Design: Michael Clark
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Technical Director: Neil Fleitell
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Michael Hayden
Mary Flynn: Miriam Shor
Charley Kringas: Raúl Esparza
Gussie: Emily Skinner
Beth: Anastasia Barzee
Joe: Adam Heller
Jerome/Minister: Keith Byron Kirk
Terry/Mr. Spencer: John Jellison
Bunker/Pianist: Edgar Godineaux
Sound Technician/Mrs. Spencer: Peggy Yates
K.T.: Thursday Farrar
Meg/Valedictorian: Tracy Lynn Olivera
Ru: Sean MacLaughlin
Evelyn/Scotty: Sherri L. Edelen
First Girl/TV Newswoman: Amy McWilliams
Makeup Artist/Tyler: Jason Gilbert
Photographer/TV Newsman: Ty Hreben
Stage Manager/Dory: Mary Jayne Raleigh
Frank, Jr.: Justin Pereira
Musical Numbers:
Act One
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“That Frank” – Company
-
First Transition – Company
-
“Old Friends” / “Like It Was” – Mary, Charley
-
“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
-
Second Transition – Company
-
“Old Friends” – Mary, Frank, Charley
-
“Growing Up” – Frank, Gussie
-
Third Transition – Company
-
“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
-
“Now You Know” – Scotty, Mary, Tyler, Charley, Frank, Joe, Jerome, K.T. and Company
Act Two
-
Entr’acte – Orchestr
-
Opening – Gussie
-
“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Mary, Beth, Charley
-
Fourth Transition – Company
-
“The Blob” – Gussie and Company
-
“Growing Up” (reprise) – Gussie
-
“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank
-
“The Blob” (reprise) – Company
-
Fifth Transition – Company
-
“Bobbie and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Frank, Beth
-
“Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Beth, Mary, Frank
-
Sixth Transition – Company
-
“Opening Doors” – Charley, Frank, Mary, Joe, First Girl, Beth
-
Seventh Transition – Frank, Jr.
-
“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Company
An unofficial/aunauthorized recording was circulated on two CDs with a run time of 2:25:19
Original Cast Reunion Concert (2002)
LaGuardia Concert Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
The 1981 cast return for a one-night-only concert performance championed by Lonny Price (the original Charley). Footage of the concert can be found in Price's fascinating documentary movie on the making of Merrily, The Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.
Concert: 30 September 2002 (1 performance)
Producer: Musical Theatre Workshop, in association with Agnes Gund, Daniel Shapiro, Harvey S. Shipley Miller
Artist Director: Lonny Price
Concert Staging: Kathleen Marshall
Musical Director: Paul Gemingnani
Lighting Design: Brian Nason
Sound Consultant: Simon Matthews
Projection Design: Elaine McCarthy
Production Stage Manager: Beverley Randolph
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Orchestra: Anerican Theater Orchestra
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Jim Walton
Mary Flynn: Ann Morrison
Charley Kringas: Lonny Price
Gussie: Terry Finn
Joe: Jason Alexander
Beth: Liz Callaway
Jerome, an attorney: David Cady
Terry, a movie star: Donna Marie Elio Asbury
Ms. Gordon, a rich backer: Maryrose Wood
Alex, a talk show host: Marc Moritz
Gwen Wilson, a reporter: Tonya Pinkins
Ted, a pianist: David Loud
Les, a press agent: David Shine
Mr. Spencer, Beth’s father: Paul Hyams
Mrs. Spencer, Beth’s mother: Mary Johansen
Meg, a starlet: Daisy Prince
Ru, a rock star: Forest Dino Ray
Bartender: Tom Shea
Evelyn Kringas: Abby Pogrebin
George, the headwaiter: James Bonkovsky
Girl Auditioning: Mana Allen
Nightclub Waitress: Janie Walton Scott
Photographer: Steven Jacob
Sound Man: Clark Sayre
Waiter: Gary Stevens
Concert Host: Jason Alexander
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
-
“The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“Rich and Happy” – Franklin, Company
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“Like It Was” – Mary, Charley
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“Old Friends” – Franklin, Charley, Mary
-
“Growing Up” – Franklin, Gussie
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
-
“Now You Know” – Mary, Company
Entr’acte – Orchestra
Act Two
-
“It’s a Hit!” – Franklin, Mary, Charley, Joe
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“The Blob” – Gussie, Company
-
“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Franklin
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Franklin, Ted
-
“Thank You for Coming” – Charley, Beth, Franklin, Ted
-
“Not a Day Goes By” – Franklin, Beth, Mary
-
“Opening Doors” – Franklin, Charley, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning, Beth
-
“Our Time” – Franklin, Charley, Mary, Company
-
“The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company
Derby Playhouse Production (2007)
Derby Playhouse, 15 Theatre Walk, Derby, Derbyshire, UK
Opens: 19 April 2007
Closes: 19 May 2007
Producer: Derby Playhouse
Director: Karen Louise Hebden
Choreography: Fergus Logan
Design: Dan Potra
Sound: Matt McKenzie
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Glyn Kerslake
Mary Flynn: Aliza Lumley
Charley Kringas: Glenn Carter
Gussie: Julie-Alanah Brighten
Joe: Michael Breckley
Beth: Cheryl McAvoy
Ensemble: David Ashley, Michael Beckley, James Bisp, Maurice Clarke, Stephen Hogan, Alexis Owen-Hobbs, Joanna Redman, Ben Sleep, George Cotton, Joe Lavender, Joseph Godfrey, Joshua Tarry
Signature Theatre Production (2007)
MAX Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenie, Arlington, Virginia
Previews: 4 September 2007
Opens: 9 September 2007
Closes: 14 October 2007
Producer: Signature Theatre
Director: Eric Shaeffer
Musical Director: Jon Kalbfleisch
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Karma Camp
Scenic Designer: James Kronzer
Lighting: Chris Lee
Costumes: Robert Perdziola
Assistant Scenic Design: Jeremy W. Foil
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Will Gartshore
Charley Kringas: Erik Liberman
Mary Flynn: Tracy Lynn Olivera
Joe Josephson: Christopher Bloch
Gussie Carnegie: Tory Ross
Beth Spencer: Bayla Whitten
Frank, Jr.: Michael Bannigan
Ensemble: Kate Arnold, Mark Chandler, Matt Conner, Adam Cooley, Rebecca Cznadel, Jenna Edison, James Gardiner, Emily Levey
Musical Numbers
Same as the 1994 York Theatre Company Production
City Center Encores! Production (2012)
New York City Center, 131 W 55th St, New York, NY
Limited semi-staged concert production
Opens: 8 February 2012
Closes: 19 February 2012 (15 performances)
Producer: New York City Center Encores! (Artistic Director: Jack Viertal)
Director: James Lapine
Music Director: Rob Berman
Musical Staging: Dan Knechtges
New Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Original Dance Arrangements: Tom Fay, Arnold, Arnold Gross
Scenic Consultant: John Lee Beatty
Costume Consultant: Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Designer: Ken Billington
Sound Designer: Dan Moses Schreier
Concert Adaptation: James Lapine
Projection Designer: Wendall K. Harrington
Hair and Wig Designer: Tom Watson
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Colin Donnell
Mary Flynn: Celia Keenan-Bolger
Charley Kringas: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Joe Josephson: Adam Grupper
Beth Spencer: Betsy Wolfe
Gussie Carnegie: Elizabeth Stanley
Franklin Shepard, Jr.: Zachary Unger
Tyler: Andrew Samonsky
Terry: Ben Crawford
Scotty: Mylinda Hull
Dory: Rachel Coloff
Ru: Joshua Dela Cruz
Jerome: Michael Winther
KT: Pearl Sun
Meg: Patricia Noonan
Bunker/Dancer: Whit Baldwin
TV Newswoman: Jessica Vosk
Makeup Artist: Marja Harmon
Photographer/Dancer: Charlie Sutton
Dancer: Sean McKnight
Dancer: Karl Warden
Mr. Spencer: Michael X. Martin
Mrs. Spencer: Colleen Fitzpatrick
Minister: Bernard Dotson
Audition Girl: Kenita R. Miller
Evelyn: Leah Horowitz
Ensemble: Whit Baldwin, Rachel Coloff, Ben Crawford, Joshua Dela Cruz, Bernard Dotson, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Marja Harmon, Leah Horowitz, Mylinda Hull, Michael X. Martin, Sean McKnight, Kenita R. Miller, Patricia Noonan, Andrew Samonsky, Pearl Sun, Charlie Sutton, Zachary Unger, Jessica Vosk, Karl Warden, Michael Winther
Musical Numbers:
Overture – Orchestra
Act One
-
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
-
“That Frank” – Franklin, Mary, and Guests
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company]
-
“Old Friends” – Mary and Charley
-
“Like It Was” – Mary
-
“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company]
-
“Old Friends” – Mary, Frank, and Charley
-
“Growing Up” – Franklin and Gussie
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company]
-
“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
-
“Now You Know” – Mary and Company
Entr’acte – Orchestra
Act Two
-
“Musical Husbands” – Gussie and Dancers
-
“It’s a Hit!” – Franklin, Charley, Mary, Joe, and Beth
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company}
-
“The Blob” – Gussie and Company
-
“Growing Up” – Gussie
-
“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Franklin
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company]
-
“Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, and Franklin
-
“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth, Franklin, and Mary
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company]
-
“Opening Doors” – Charley, Franklin, Mary, Joe, Audition Girl, and Beth
-
“[Transition/Merrily We Roll Along” – Company]
-
“Our Time” – Franklin, Charley, Beth, and Company
Recording
New York City Center Encores! presents Merrily We Roll Along
-
Compact Disc, July 2012 [PS Classics PS-1208] (89 mins.)
Producer: Tommy Krasker
Executive Producers: Philip Chaffin, Sean Patrick Flahaven
Production and Mixing: Bart Migal
Recorded: Avatar Studios, New York, NY, on 9-10 April 2012
Selections:
Disc One (45:08): Overture (4:42), “Merrily We Roll Along” (3:54), “That Frank” (5:13), “First Transition” (1:46), “Like It Was” (3:28), “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” (5:21), “Second Transition” (1:08), “Old Friends” (4:40), “Growing Up” (6:41), “Third Transition” (1:10), “Not a Day Goes By” (2:32), “Now You Know” (4:28)
Disc Two (43:52): Entr’acte (2:23), “Gussie’s Opening Number” (2:05), “It’s a Hit!” (3:56), “Fourth Transition” (0:59), “The Blob, “Part I/Growing Up” reprise)” (6:30), “Good Thing Going” (2:12), “The Blob, “Part II” (1:57), “Fifth Transition” (0:38), “Bobby and Jackie and Jack” (4:34), “Not a Day Goes By” reprise)” (2:29), “Sixth Transition” (0:38), “Opening Doors” (7:10), “Seventh Transition” (1:23), “Our Time” (6:53)
London Revival Production (2012)
Menier Chocolate Factory, London
Harold Pinter Theatre, London
Digital Theatre screening
Huntingdon Theatre Company, Boston, MA.
Menier Chocolate Factory
Previews: 16 November 2012
Opens: 28 November 2012
Closes: 9 March 2013
Harold Pinter Theatre
Previews: 23 April 2013
Opens: 1 May 2013
Closes: 27 July 2013
Movie screening
UK: 23 October 2013
Huntingdon Theatre Company
Previews: 8 September 2017
Opens: 13 September 2017
Closes: 15 October 2017
Director: Maria Friedman
Choreography: Tim Jackson
Musical Supervision and Direction: Catherine Jayes
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Dance Arrangements: Jason Carr
Scenic & Costume Design: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design: David Hersey
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Hair & Wig Design: Richard Mawbey
Associate Director: Adam Lenson
Assistant Director: Janet Behan
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Mark Umbers
Charley Kringas: Damian Humbley
Mary Flynn: Jenna Russell
Gussie Carnegie: Josefina Gabrielle
Beth Spencer: Clare Foster
Joe Josephson: Glyn Kerslake
Meg Kincaid: Zizi Strallen
Frank, Jr.: Noah Miller/Tommy Rodger/Joseph West
Tyler: Ashley Robinson
Terry/Mr Spencer: Martin Callaghan
Scotty/Mrs Spencer: Amanda Minihan
Dory: Samantha Mercer
Ru: Matthew Barrow
Jerome: Robbie Scotcher
KT: Amy Ellen Richardson
Bunker/Reverend/TV newsman: Kirk Patterson
TV Newswoman: Joanna Woodward
Swings: Bob Harms, Elana Martin
Orchestra (as credited in the Digital Theatre screening):
Trumpet: Edward Maxwell
Trumpet: Shane Brennan
Trumpet: Ruth Ross
Trombone: Magnus Dearness
Flute/Clarinet/Alto Sax: Bernie La Fontaine
Flute/Clarinet/Alto Sax: Samantha Ellis
Clarinet/Tenor Sax: Emma Fowler
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Bassoon/Baritone Sax: Danielle Hartley
Double Bass: Paul Moylan
Drums/Percussion: James O'Carroll
Musical Numbers:
Same as the 1994 York Theatre Company Production
For the Huntingdon Theatre transfer:
Cast
Franklin Shepard: Mark Umbers
Charley Kringas: Damian Humbley
Mary Flynn: Eden Espinoza
Gussie Carnegie: Aimee Doherty
Beth Spencer: Jennifer Ellis
Joe Josephson: Christopher Chew
Meg Kincaid: Jessica Kundla
Frank, Jr.: Cameron Levesque/Brendan Cole O'Brien
Terry/Mr Spencer: Robert Saoud
Scotty/Mrs Spencer: Amy Barker
KT: Rebecca Gibel
Ensemble: Jessica Kundla, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Rebecca Gibel, Pablo Torres, Patrick Varner, Craig Waletzko, Morgan Kirner, Caleb Damschroder, Bransen Gates, Carla Martinez
Musical Director: Matthew Stern
Lighting Design: Philip Rosenberg
Sound Design: John Shivers, Kevin Kennedy
Associate Set Design: Grace Laubacher
Associate Costume Design: Brian J. Bustos
Production Stage Manager: Emily F. McMullen
Stage Manager: Kevin Schlagle
Wallis Annenberg Production (2016)
Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
Opens: 23 November 2016
Closes: 18 December 2016
Producer: Signature Theatre
Director: Michael Arden
Associate Director: Blake Silver
Choreographer: Eamon Foley
Musical Director: Adam Wachter
Musical Supervisor: Matt Gould
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Lighting Designer: Travis Hagenbuch
Sound Designer: Dan Moses Schreier
Scenic Designer and Costumes: Dane Laffrey
Prop Master: Jeffrey Maloney
Assistant Choreographer: Penny Wildman
Assistant Stage Manager: Anne L. Hitt
Casting Director: Beth Lipari
Cast:
Franklin Shepard: Aaron Lazar
Charley Kringas: Wayne Brady
Mary Flynn: Donna Vivino
Beth: Whitney Bashor
Gussie Carnegie: Saycon Sengbloh
Joe Josephson: Amir Talai
Ensemble: with Eric B. Anthony, Sandy Bainum, Melody Butiu, Doran Butler, Max Chucker, Sarah Daniels, Kevin Patrick Doherty, Laura Dickinson, Rachael Ferrera, Jennifer Foster, Travis Leland, Lyle Colby Mackston, Brent Schindele, Maximus Brandon Verso
Off-Broadway Revival Production (2019)
Laura Pels Theatre, New York, NY
Fiasco Theatre Company's one-act revision (uncredited), incorporating material from the 1981 opening-night version and from the Kaufman and Hart play.
Previews: 12 January 2019
Opens: 19 February 2019
Closes: 14 April 2019
Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Fiasco Theater; For Laura Pels Theatre: Artistic Director: Todd Haimes, Founding Director: Gene Feist, Co-Artistic Director: Noah Broady
Director: Noah Brody
Assistant Director: James Zebooker
Choreographer: Lorin Latarro
Associate Choreographer: Whitney G-Bowley
Assistant Choreographer: Michaeljon Slinger
Musical Director/Orchestrations/New Arrangements: Alexander Gemignani
Set Designer: Derek McLane
Costume Designer: Paloma Young
Lighting Designer: Christopher Akerlind
Sound Designer: Peter Hylenski
Hair & Wigs: Cookie Jordan
Wardrobe: Mary Margaret Powers, Cynthia Jasmin Reyes
Prop Master: Samantha Shoffner
Stage Manager: Jhanaë K-C Bonnick
Assistant Set Designer: Antonio DiBernardo
Assistant Costume Designer: Ashley Rose Horton
Assistant Lighting Designer: Paige Seber
Assistant Sound Designer: Dan Miele
Casting: Jillian Cimini, Carrie Gardner, Stephen Kopel
Cast:
Frank: Ben Steinfeld
Charley: Manu Narayan
Mary: Jessie Austrian
Beth/Meg/K.T.: Brittany Bradford
Joe/Glen Wilson/Mr. Spencer: Paul L. Coffey
Gussie/Mrs. Spencer: Emily Young
Understudies:
Mary/Gussie/Mrs. Spencer: Jennifer Blood
Beth/Meg/K.T./Gussie/Mrs. Spencer: Nicole Ferguson
Joe/Glen Wilson/Mr. Spencer/Charley: Joe Joseph
Joe/Glen Wilson/Mr. Spencer/Charley/Frank: Nicholas Ryan
Orchestra
Conductor: Emily Whitaker
Music Coordinator: Meg Zervoulis
Associate Music Director: Emily Whitaker
Bass: Matt Aronoff
Drums: Janna Graham
Guitar: Hidayat Honari
Piano: Emily Whitaker
Reeds: Ansy François
Reeds: Guiseppe Fusco
Trumpet: Jami Dauber, Jeremy Miloszewicz
Musical Numbers:
“Merrily We Roll Along” – Company
“Rich and Happy” – Frank & Company
“Like It Was” – Mary
“Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley
“Old Friends” – Mary, Frank, Charley
“Growing Up” – Frank, Gussie
“Not a Day Goes By” – Beth
“Now You Know” – Charley, Joe, Mary, Frank
“He’s Only a Boy” – Gussie
“It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Charley, Frank, Mary, Beth
“The Blob” – Gussie & Company
“Growing Up” – Gussie
“Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank
“Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Frank, Mary
“Not a Day Goes By ... Beth, Frank, Mary
“Opening Doors” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Beth
“Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary
New York Theatre Workshop Production (2022)
New York Theatre Workshop, 79 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003
Off-Broadway revival of the 2012 Menier Chocolate Factory production
Previews: 21 November 2022
Opens: 12 December 2022
Closes: 22 January 2023
Director: Maria Friedman
Choreographer: Tim Jackson
Musical Director: Alvin Hough, Jr.
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Music Supervisor: Catherine Jayes
Fight Director: Dave Anzuelo
Intimacy Director: Dave Anzuelo
Set Designer: Soutra Gilmour
Costume Designer: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Designer: Amith Chandrashaker
Sound Designer: Kai Harada
Hair & Wigs: Cookie Jordan
Stage Manager: Jhanaë K-C Bonnick
Producers: Patrick Catullo, Sonia Friedman, Menier Chocolate Factory/David Babani
Cast (full biogs here)
Franklin Shepard: Jonathan Groff
Mary Flynn: Lindsay Mendez
Charley Kringas: Daniel Radcliffe
Gussie: Krystal Joy Brown
Beth: Katie Rose Clarke
Joe: Reg Rogers
Frank, Jr.: Carter Harris/Colin Keane
Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Auditionee: Sherz Aletaha
Claudia/Newscaster/Auditionee: Leana Rae Concepcion
Tyler/Make-Up Artist: Corey Mach
Meg Kincaid: Talia Simone Robinson
Dory/Evelyn/Pianist: Jamila Sabares-Klemm
Bunker/Newscaster/Photographer: Brian Sears
Ru/Reverend: Christian Strange
Jerome: Vishal Vaidya
KT: Natalie Wachen
Terry/Mr. Spencer: Jacob Keith Watson
Understudies: Morgan Kirner, Amanda Rose, Evan Alexander Smith, Koray Tarhan
Musical Numbers:
Same as the 1994 York Theatre Company Production
Awards
-
2024 Artios Award, New York Theatre, Best Musical
-
2023 Off Broadway Alliance Award, Best Musical Revival
-
2023 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical (Jonathan Groff)
-
2023 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical (Lindsay Mendez)
Broadway Revival (2023)
Hudson Theatre, 141 W 44th St, New York, NY
Broadway revival of the 2012 Menier Chocolate Factory production
Previews: 19 September 2023 (20 previews)
Opens: 10 October 2023
Closes: 7 July 2024
Performances: 296 (as of 23 June 2024)
Director: Maria Friedman
Choreographer: Tim Jackson
Musical Director: Joel Fram
Producers: Sonia Friedman Productions, David Babani, Patrick Catullo, Jeff Romley, New York Theatre Workshop
Scenic Design: Soutra Gilmour
Costumes: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting: Amith Chandrashaker
Sound: Kai Harada
Associate Director: Ryan Dobrin
Associate Choreographer: Mandie Rapoza
Hair and Wig Design: Cookie Jordan
Make-Up Design: Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche
Cast
As of the New York Theatre Workshop Production with the addition of:
Mimi from Paramount/Make-Up Artist: Maya Boyd (replaced by Brianna Stoute, 2 April 2024)
Bunker/Newscaster/Photographer: Brian Sears (replaced by Coby Getzug, 26 March 2024)
Frank, Jr.: Max Rackenberg/Brady Wagner (replaced by Calvin James Davis, 7 November 2023; Rocco Van Auken, 23 January 2024)
Swings & Alternates: Morgan Kirner, Amanda Rose, Koray Tarhan; replacements: Gemma Baird, Ken Krugman
Musical Numbers:
Same as the 1994 York Theatre Company Production
