BWW Review: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG - BACKWARDS, TO UNDERSTAND THE IRONY at The Colony Theatre
Presented by a brand new Production group, 4 Leaf Music Productions, in Association with Golden Performing Arts Center, and based on a 1934 Kaufman and Hart play of the same name, this musical tells the story of three friends, Franklin, Charley, and Mary, and the progressive decadence of their bonds and their dreams. The story is told in reverse. When it begins, in 1980, they're in their 40's: Franklin, is a rich, successful, conceited and confused noted songwriter; Charley, the lyricist in the duo, has cut off ties with his partner after a nervous breakdown and Mary is a lonely alcoholic still secretly in love with Franklin from when they first met, years and years ago. As we move forward in the play but backwards in time, we see how their friendships disintegrate, along with their aspirations and Franklin's many whirlwind marriages. Rewinding through the '70s and '60s, we end up in 1957, when the three of them meet for the first time, on a rooftop in the city, all hopeful young talents per-chance gathering to watch Sputnik go by in the pre-dawn sky. The song they sing, 'Our Time' ('We're the movers, we're the shapers/ the names in tomorrow's papers'), is undercut by some very keen irony, since we've already seen how it all turns out, at the beginning.
TV EXCLUSIVE: Chatting with the Original & Encores! Companies of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG! Curtain Call & More!
19 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, were reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production on Tuesday, February 14. It was an event we would not have missed and BroadwayWorld has been bringing you photos and video highlights of the event throughout the week. This morning, we take you inside the opening night reception and joyful curtain call, during which both companies joined in for a chorus of 'Old Friends' along with Stephen Sondheim himself.
TV EXCLUSIVE: Broadway & Encores MERRILY Casts Unite in 'Old Friends'
19 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, were reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production last night, February 14. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special show and brings you exclusive footage of both casts performing 'Old Friends', featuring a special cameo by Stephen Sondheim! Stay tuned for complete video coverage of the evening.
Photo Coverage: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast Reunion Party
19 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, were reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along yesterday. Check out our exclusive photos of the evening.
Stephen Sondheim joined original and Encores! cast onstage for the reception and during the curtain call.
FREEZE FRAME: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Original Cast Reunion at ENCORES!
19 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, were reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along yesterday. Check out our exclusive photos of the evening.
Original Broadway Cast of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Reunites at Encores! Production
19 cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, will be reunited at New York City Center for a reception and performance of the City Center Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along on Tuesday, February 14.
Original MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Cast to Perform in Encores! Finale, 2/14
Twenty one cast members of the original 1981 Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along, including leading actors Lonny Price, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton, will reunite at City Center on February 14, to attend the current Encores! production of "Merrily" and will join the current cast onstage for the finale. Both casts will join together for a verse of the heartwarming "Old Friends."