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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:

merrily playbill_edited.jpg
Merrily_Broadway_1981

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

  • LP (half-speed master audiophile recording}, 1981 [RCA CBL1-4197] (62:00)

  • Cassette, 1982 [RCA CBK1-4197]

  • Compact Disc, 1986 [RCA RCD1-5840] (includes "It's a Hit!") (66:38)

  • Compact Disc, 2007 [82876 68637-2] Masterworks Broadway Remaster

  • 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.

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Lonny Price, Ann Morrison, Jim Walton and Sally Klein
Merrily OBCR.jpg
Merrily_Guildhall

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

Merrily_Guildhall_Cambridge.jpg
Guildhall programme for Merrily from the Bloomsbury Theatre
Merrily_LibraryTheatre

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

Library Theatre Company programme for Merrily We Roll Along
Merrily_LaJolla

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

  • "Merrily We Roll Along" – Company

  • "That Frank" – Guests [new for this prodution, replacing "Rich and Happy"]

  • "Old Friends" – Mary and Charley

  • "Like It Was" – Mary

  • "Franklin Shepard, Inc." – Charley

  • "Old Friends" – Mary, Frank and Charley

  • "Growing Up" – Frank [new for this prodution]

  • "Not a Day Goes By" – Beth [reinstated for Beth, not Frank]

  • "Now You Know" – Mary and Company [new lyrics]

Act Two

  • "Gussie's Opening Number" – Gussie

  • "It's a Hit!" – Joe, Frank, Mary and Charley

  • "The Blob" – Guests and Gussie [reinstated and expanded]

  • "Growing Up" – Gussie (reprise)

  • "Good Thing Going" – Charley, Frank and Company

  • "Bobby and Jackie and Jack" – Charley, Beth, Frank and Ted

  • "Not a Day Goes By" (reprise) – Beth, Mary and Frank

  • "Opening Doors" – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning and Beth

  • "Our Time" – Frank, Charley, Mary and Company

Merrily La Jolla

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

  • “Merrily We Roll Along” – Ensemble

  • “That Frank” – Mary, Frank, Guests

  • Old Friends

  • “Like It Was” – Mary

  • “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley

  • “Old Friends” – Mary, Frank, Charley

  • “Growing Up” – Frank

  • “Growing Up (reprise)” – Gussie

  • “Not a Day Goes By” – Beth

  • “Now You Know” – Mary, Charley, Frank, Ensemble

 

Act Two

  • “Entr’acte” – Orchestra

  • “Opening (Act Two)” – Gussie

  • “It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Charley, Mary, Beth

  • “The Blob” – Gussie, Ensemble

  • “Growing Up (reprise)” – Gussie

  • “Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank

  • “Bobby and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Beth, Frank, Pianist

  • “Not a Day Goes By (reprise)” – Beth, Mary, Frank

  • “Opening Doors” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, First Auditioner, Beth

  • “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.

Merrily Arena Stage poster.jpg
Victor Garber, Marin Mazzie, David Garrison and Becky Ann Baker; photographer Joan Marcus
Merrily_Arena Stage
Merrily_LeicesterHaymarket

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

  • “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” – Frank, Charley, Mary

  • “Growing Up (Part One)” – Frank, Gussie

  • “Growing Up (Part Two)” – Gussie

  • Third Transition – Company

  • “Not a Day Goes By” – Frank, Beth

  • “Now You Know” – Scotty, Mary, Tyler, Frank, Company

 

Entr’ acte – Orchestra
 

Act Two

  • Act Two Opening – Gussie

  • “It’s a Hit!” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Joe, Beth, Theatregoers

  • Fourth Transition – Company

  • “The Blob” – Gussie, Guests

  • “Growing Up” (reprise) – Gussie, Frank

  • “Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank

  • “The Blob” (conclusion) – Company

  • Fifth Transition – Company

  • “Bobbie and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Frank, Beth

  • “Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Frank, Beth, Mary

  • Sixth Transition – Company

  • “Opening Doors” – Charley, Frank, Mary, Joe

  • “Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Company

Recording

Merrily We Roll Along - Original Cast / Leicester Haymarket Theatre Production

  • Compact Disc, 1994 [TER/Jay Productions CDTER 1225] - UK (74 minutes)

  • 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.

Merrily Leicester Haymarket.jpg
Merrily Leicester Haymarket CD.jpg

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

  • “Merrily We Roll Along” – Company

  • “That Frank” – Frank and Guests

  • First Transition – Company

  • “Old Friends” – Mary, Charley

  • “Like it Was” – Mary

  • “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley

  • Second Transition – Company

  • “Old Friends” – Frank, Charley, Mary

  • “Growing Up” – Frank, Gussie

  • Third Transition – Company

  • “Not a Day Goes By” – Beth

  • “Now You Know” – Mary and Company

Entr’ acte – Orchestra
 

Act Two

  • Opening – Gussie

  • “It’s a Hit!” – Joe, Frank, Charley, Mary, Beth

  • Fourth Transition – Company

  • “The Blob” – Gussie and Guests

  • “Growing Up” (reprise) – Gussie

  • “Good Thing Going” – Charley, Frank

  • “The Blob” (reprise) – Company

  • Fifth Transition – Company

  • “Bobbie and Jackie and Jack” – Charley, Frank, Beth and Pianist

  • “Not a Day Goes By” (reprise) – Frank, Beth, Mary

  • Sixth Transition – Company

  • “Opening Doors” – Charley, Frank, Mary, Joe, Girl Auditioning, Beth

  • Seventh Transition – Frank Jr, Beth, Mrs Spencer

  • “Our Time” – Frank, Charley, Mary, Company

Recording

Merrily We Roll Along - The New Cast Recording

  • 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)

Playbill from the York Theatre Merrily
CD of the York cast recording
Merrily_YorkNY

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

  • “The Hills of Tomorrow” – Company

  • “Merrily We Roll Along” – Company

  • “Rich and Happy” – Frank and Guests

  • “Old Friends” – Mary, Charley

  • “Like It Was” – Mary

  • “Franklin Shepard, Inc.” – Charley

  • “Old Friends” (reprise) – Mary, Frank, Charley

  • “Growing Up” (Part 1) – Frank, Gussie

  • “Growing Up” (Part 2) – Gussie

  • “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)

​​

Programme from the 2000 Donmar production of Merrily
Sondheim at the Donmar programme, including Merrily We Roll Along
Merrily_Donmar
Merrily Concert 2010

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

​​

Poster for the Kennedy Center Merrily
Sondheim Celebration Tshirt
Merrily_KennedyCenter
Merrily_CastReunion

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

​​​​

Playbill for the Cast Reunion Concert at the Lincoln Center
Poster for the Merrily documentary movie Best Worst Thing
Merrily_Derby

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

​​

Aliza Lumley, Glyn Kerslake and Glenn Carter in Merrily We Roll Along at the Derby Playhouse in 2007
Merrily_Signature 2007

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

Merrily Signature poster.jpg
Merrily_Encores

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)

Playbill/programme for Merrily at City Center Encores
Encores Merrily We Roll Along CD
Merrily_Menier

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


Merrily at the Menier.jpg
Merrily at the Pinter.jpg
Merrily Digital Theatre.jpg

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

Merrily_Wallis_advert.jpg
Merrily_Wallis
Fiasco

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

Merrily Fiasco.png