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Merrily We Roll AlongOpening Date: April 23, 2013
Closing Date: July 27, 2013 Air date: October 23, 2013 Medium: cinema and online Where to watch: Digital Theatre (UK only) |
Stage Production Notes
Based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s play of the same name, Merrily We Roll Along follows a group of friends in their endeavors to make a living as artists. In a unique twist, the story is told in reverse time order — starting in the present with middle aged characters, and moving backwards in time until the characters are teenagers about to start college.
The show marked Stephen Sondheim’s second collaboration with writer George Furth, and his eighth collaboration with director and producer Hal Prince.
Despite the luminous creative team, the original Broadway production was beset with problems. During the previews, the choreographer and leading man were replaced, press reports noted continual issues with the book, audience members left after the first act, and opening night was pushed back twice.
After Merrily We Roll Along finally had its official opening, the show received terrible notices, and word of mouth did little to help low ticket sales. Writing for the New York Times, Frank Rich stated “Mr. Sondheim has given this evening a half-dozen songs that are crushing and beautiful… But the show that contains them is a shambles.”
The original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along closed after just 16 performances and 44 previews. A recording of the original Broadway cast was made the day after closing, and released shortly afterwards. The recording has since become a favorite amongst musical theatre enthusiasts.
Over the years, Sondheim and Furth re-worked the book and score, and Merrily We Roll Along has enjoyed multiple regional productions in the United States, and around the world.
In March 2012, the Menier Chocolate Factory in London announced a revival of Merrily We Roll Along as part of its 2012-2013 season. Directed by Maria Friedman, the London production opened on November 16, 2012 and instantly became a smash hit. It was filmed by Digital Theatre and released worldwide (see Filmed Live Production Notes below).
Over 10 years after its West End opening, the Menier Chocolate Factory production transferred to Broadway, where it opened at the Hudson Theatre for a limited engagement in October 2023. The Broadway production starred Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez and won multiple Tony Awards including Best Revival, Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role In A Musical (Jonathan Groff), est Performance By An Actor In A Featured Role In A Musical (Daniel Radcliffe), and Best Orchestrations. The Broadway production was filmed live by RadicalMedia (Hamilton and Come From Away) in June 2024. A release date has not yet been set.
Original cast member Lonny Price directed a touching documentary about the show’s original Broadway production, Best Worst Thing That Ever Happened. The documentary premiered to rave reviews in November 2016, and is available for download on iTunes.
Based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s play of the same name, Merrily We Roll Along follows a group of friends in their endeavors to make a living as artists. In a unique twist, the story is told in reverse time order — starting in the present with middle aged characters, and moving backwards in time until the characters are teenagers about to start college.
The show marked Stephen Sondheim’s second collaboration with writer George Furth, and his eighth collaboration with director and producer Hal Prince.
Despite the luminous creative team, the original Broadway production was beset with problems. During the previews, the choreographer and leading man were replaced, press reports noted continual issues with the book, audience members left after the first act, and opening night was pushed back twice.
After Merrily We Roll Along finally had its official opening, the show received terrible notices, and word of mouth did little to help low ticket sales. Writing for the New York Times, Frank Rich stated “Mr. Sondheim has given this evening a half-dozen songs that are crushing and beautiful… But the show that contains them is a shambles.”
The original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along closed after just 16 performances and 44 previews. A recording of the original Broadway cast was made the day after closing, and released shortly afterwards. The recording has since become a favorite amongst musical theatre enthusiasts.
Over the years, Sondheim and Furth re-worked the book and score, and Merrily We Roll Along has enjoyed multiple regional productions in the United States, and around the world.
In March 2012, the Menier Chocolate Factory in London announced a revival of Merrily We Roll Along as part of its 2012-2013 season. Directed by Maria Friedman, the London production opened on November 16, 2012 and instantly became a smash hit. It was filmed by Digital Theatre and released worldwide (see Filmed Live Production Notes below).
Over 10 years after its West End opening, the Menier Chocolate Factory production transferred to Broadway, where it opened at the Hudson Theatre for a limited engagement in October 2023. The Broadway production starred Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez and won multiple Tony Awards including Best Revival, Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role In A Musical (Jonathan Groff), est Performance By An Actor In A Featured Role In A Musical (Daniel Radcliffe), and Best Orchestrations. The Broadway production was filmed live by RadicalMedia (Hamilton and Come From Away) in June 2024. A release date has not yet been set.
Original cast member Lonny Price directed a touching documentary about the show’s original Broadway production, Best Worst Thing That Ever Happened. The documentary premiered to rave reviews in November 2016, and is available for download on iTunes.
Filmed Live Production Notes
In March 2012, the Menier Chocolate Factory in London announced a revival of Merrily We Roll Along as part of its 2012-2013 season. The show opened on November 16, 2012 and instantly became a smash hit.
Sondheim himself lavished praise on the production, describing it as “the best I’ve seen.” The critics were equally enamored. The production received more five star reviews than any other production in West End history. The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer wrote that “as a piece of craftsmanship Merrily We Roll Along dazzles,” while The Guardian’s Michael Billington praised Maria Friedman’s superb direction and the performances of the cast.
After a sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Merrily We Roll Along transferred to the West End. It opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited engagement run in April 2013.
Merrily We Roll Along won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The production was filmed by Digital Theatre and distributed by Cinema Live in the UK, and SpectiCast and Fathom Events in the US. Cinema screenings took place in the UK in October 2013, and in early 2014 in the United States.
It is not entirely clear where, or when, Digital Theatre captured Merrily We Roll Along on film. Some sources claim it was during the show’s final performances, which would have been July 2013 at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Other sources state it was filmed at the Wyndham’s Theatre in September 2013.
Like the stage show, the live capture received rave reviews. Writing for Playbill, Steven Suskin claimed the filmed version was “the most successful [production of Merrily We Roll Along], without reservation.” Suskin also noted that the filming “enhances, rather than detracts from, the performance.”
The film was released in more than 1000 cinemas around the world, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Russia, and the United States.
Merrily We Roll Along was the first Digital Theatre film to be screened in the United States. The one-night-only screening took place on October 23, 2013. The screening was sold out in advance, and late-night screenings were added to help meet the demand for tickets.
Starting in December 2013, Digital Theatre made the film available for digital download for almost a year. On October 22, 2014, Digital Theatre held a “final online global watchalong,” encouraging viewers to share the viewing experience by tweeting with the hashtag #MerrilyOnScreen. After the global online screening, the film was removed from the site.
Due to licensing agreements, Merrily We Roll Along is only available to view in the UK on Digital Theatre.
In March 2012, the Menier Chocolate Factory in London announced a revival of Merrily We Roll Along as part of its 2012-2013 season. The show opened on November 16, 2012 and instantly became a smash hit.
Sondheim himself lavished praise on the production, describing it as “the best I’ve seen.” The critics were equally enamored. The production received more five star reviews than any other production in West End history. The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer wrote that “as a piece of craftsmanship Merrily We Roll Along dazzles,” while The Guardian’s Michael Billington praised Maria Friedman’s superb direction and the performances of the cast.
After a sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Merrily We Roll Along transferred to the West End. It opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited engagement run in April 2013.
Merrily We Roll Along won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The production was filmed by Digital Theatre and distributed by Cinema Live in the UK, and SpectiCast and Fathom Events in the US. Cinema screenings took place in the UK in October 2013, and in early 2014 in the United States.
It is not entirely clear where, or when, Digital Theatre captured Merrily We Roll Along on film. Some sources claim it was during the show’s final performances, which would have been July 2013 at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Other sources state it was filmed at the Wyndham’s Theatre in September 2013.
Like the stage show, the live capture received rave reviews. Writing for Playbill, Steven Suskin claimed the filmed version was “the most successful [production of Merrily We Roll Along], without reservation.” Suskin also noted that the filming “enhances, rather than detracts from, the performance.”
The film was released in more than 1000 cinemas around the world, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Russia, and the United States.
Merrily We Roll Along was the first Digital Theatre film to be screened in the United States. The one-night-only screening took place on October 23, 2013. The screening was sold out in advance, and late-night screenings were added to help meet the demand for tickets.
Starting in December 2013, Digital Theatre made the film available for digital download for almost a year. On October 22, 2014, Digital Theatre held a “final online global watchalong,” encouraging viewers to share the viewing experience by tweeting with the hashtag #MerrilyOnScreen. After the global online screening, the film was removed from the site.
Due to licensing agreements, Merrily We Roll Along is only available to view in the UK on Digital Theatre.
Merrily We Roll Along Production Credits
Theatre: Harold Pinter Theatre, London
Producer: Chocolate Factory Productions, Neal Street Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, Bob Bartner & Norman Tulchin, Debbie Bisno, Scott M. Delman, Just for Laughs Theatricals, Tanya Link, Digital Theatre
Book: George Furth
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Maria Friedman
Musical Director: Catherine Jayes
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Tim Jackson
Design: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design: David Hersey
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Cast: Mark Umbers (Franklin Shepard), Damian Humbley (Charley Kringas), Jenna Russell (Mary Flynn), Clare Foster (Beth Spencer), Josefina Gabrielle (Gussie Carnegie), Glyn Kerslake (Joe Josephson), Zizi Strallen (Meg), Ensemble: Matthew Barrow, Martin Callaghan, Amanda Minihan, Amy Ellen Richardson, Robbie Scotcher
Theatre: Harold Pinter Theatre, London
Producer: Chocolate Factory Productions, Neal Street Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, Bob Bartner & Norman Tulchin, Debbie Bisno, Scott M. Delman, Just for Laughs Theatricals, Tanya Link, Digital Theatre
Book: George Furth
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Maria Friedman
Musical Director: Catherine Jayes
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Tim Jackson
Design: Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design: David Hersey
Sound Design: Gareth Owen
Cast: Mark Umbers (Franklin Shepard), Damian Humbley (Charley Kringas), Jenna Russell (Mary Flynn), Clare Foster (Beth Spencer), Josefina Gabrielle (Gussie Carnegie), Glyn Kerslake (Joe Josephson), Zizi Strallen (Meg), Ensemble: Matthew Barrow, Martin Callaghan, Amanda Minihan, Amy Ellen Richardson, Robbie Scotcher
Sources
- Michael Billington, “Merrily We Roll Along – review,” The Guardian (Nov 28, 2012)
- BWW News Desk, “West End's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Now Available for Digital Download,” Broadway World (Dec 22, 2013)
- John Corry, “SONDHEIM AND PRINCE TEAM UP AGAIN ‘MERRILY’,” New York Times (Sept 3, 1981)
- Sarah Crompton, “Merrily We Roll Along: Redemption of an infamous flop,” The Telegraph (Nov 19, 2012)
- Nick Dager, “Digital Theatre to sell Merrily We Roll Along Online,” Digital Cinema Report (Nov 245, 2013)
- Adam Hetrick, Mark Shenton, “Late-Night NYC Screening Added for London Revival of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along Oct. 23,” Playbill (Oct 23, 2013)
- Adam Hetrick, “Live Film of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along Available for Digital Download,” Playbill (Jan 2, 2014)
- Judy Klemsrud, “PRINCE: 'THERE WERE MORE CHANGES THAN I'M USED TO’,” New York Times (Nov 15, 1981)
- Jackson McHenry, “Stephen Sondheim Still Isn’t Over the Failure of Merrily We Roll Along: ‘I Felt Guilty Towards the Cast’,” Vulture (Oct 10, 2016)
- Frank Rich, “STAGE: A NEW SONDHEIM, 'MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG’,” New York Times, (Nov 17, 1981)
- David Richards, “Review/Theater; A Sondheim Musical Keeps Evolving,” New York Times (June 10, 1994)
- Seth Rudetsky, “What You Need to Know About the Merrily Documentary,” Playbill (Nov 7, 2016)
- Mark Shenton, “London's Menier Chocolate Factory Will Offer Torch Song Trilogy, Merrily We Roll Along and More,” Playbill (March 28, 2012)
- Mark Shenton, “Merrily We Roll Along Begins Performances at Menier Chocolate Factory Nov. 16,” Playbill (Nov 16, 2012)
- Charles Spencer, “Merrily We Roll Along, Menier Chocolate Factory, London, review,” The Telegraph (Nov 29, 2012)
- Steven Suskin, “Screening of Merrily We Roll Along Presents Sondheim and Furth's Musical At Its Best,” Playbill (Oct 18, 2013)
- “'Merrily' Is Postponed Second Time, to Nov. 16,” New York Times (Oct 27, 1981)
- “'Merrily We Roll Along' May Close on Saturday,” New York Times (Nov 24, 1981)
Websites
- CinemaLive, “WEST END THEATRE SERIES - MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG,” Accessed via: http://www.cinemalive.com/index.php?p=view&id=56
- Digital Theatre, “Merrily We Roll Along gets final global online watchalong,” Accessed via: http://www.digitaltheatre.com/news/details/merrily-we-roll-along-gets-final-global-online-watchalong
- Internet Broadway Database, "Merrily We Roll Along," Accessed via: https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/merrily-we-roll-along
- SeatChoice, “Merrily We Roll Along,” Accessed via: http://www.seatchoice.com/merrily-roll/
Written by Luisa Lyons (March, 2017; updated June 2024).