Am I the only one excited about Merrily?????- Page 4

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 12:51am

. And it was the version where Gussie throws the iodine which was a surprise!

Yes!! I'm not as familiar with all of the MERRILY versions as I am with FOLLIES. There must be a heck of a lot of versions of MERRILY, because some of the dialogue tonight was drastically different from the Encores! script. I know Lapine rewrote the last scene for Encores, but he must have changed a lot more.
Friedman did say in the beginning that this was the Leicester version.

As with the Encores! production, I'm still surprised to see how large and pivotal of a role Gussie is. Before seeing the show, I always assumed Beth was a larger role. But played right, Gussie can really steal the show.





Updated On: 10/24/13 at 12:51 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 12:51am

double Updated On: 10/24/13 at 12:51 AM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 1:01am

I'm so incredibly grumpy that I wasn't able to see this.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 1:05am

I hope they release it on DVD.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 1:15am

here in Palm Sprinbgs the show was soldout...yay!...i was disappointed the Charlie didn't sing a verse of NOT A DAY GOES BY as done on the original BCR,...(am i wrong about this?) other than that i really enjoyed this rather small scale production...if only i had seen the 1981 Harold Prince production...flop and all...but this will have to do i guess...and the audience applauded at the end of the show as if we were in a Broadway house...loved that!

Updated On: 10/24/13 at 01:15 AM

[gcal]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 1:27am

Just got home from the screening in San Francisco. I am a sucker for this show.

I really loved the way the opening was staged.

I thought Cousin Oliver did a great job as Frankie!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 1:31am

Wow. I don't think I have ever walked out of a musical feeling so emotional. This production is heartreaking, riveting, and joyous. I was not really familiar with the show going into seeing this filming. I am still trying to wrap my head around the sheer brilliance of this production. Great performances from everyone in the cast. There was not one cast member I didn't love. I'm still processing it, but damn... That was something else

[Rinaldo]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 7:36am

"I'm still surprised to see how large and pivotal of a role Gussie is." Yes, and we had an unusually good Gussie in this production -- the best I've seen, and the best member of the cast in my opinion. She played her elegant and classy, a refreshing change from the usual over-the-top floozy. Josefina Gabrielle has matured impressively since playing opposite Hugh Jackman in Oklahoma!

Charley never sang any of "Not a Day Goes By," in any version. FRANK ended up singing the Act I rendition in the original production, but that was a desperation move due to the inadequacy of the original Beth. In all productions since then it has belonged to Beth (even in the reunion concert of the original cast -- though it went to the original Beth understudy, Liz Callaway).

I thought this was a good production, well directed by Maria Friedman, and I'm glad that the "official" video of this show will be of a production of this quality. But I didn't find it the mindblowingly perfect rendition some have -- there were niggling but damaging details that detracted, like the unit set that didn't quite cover all the required locations, the occasional wobbly accent, the most-reduced (and emptiest-sounding) orchestrations for this show yet, and yet another "idea" for the final curtain that just kind of fizzled. I must have seen that staged a dozen different ways by now -- to my mind the best is the Kennedy Center solution, just have them link pinkies on the button of "Our Time," and stop there. Curtain. In fact, in general the Kennedy Center production remains my own gold standard for this show (and Encores had the best orchestrations). But this was a high-quality production, and I'm glad so many London theatergoers have enjoyed it so much.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 8:17am

I thought all four lead performers were great, but I especially enjoyed Josefina Gabrielle as Gussie. I felt like she was playing to the camera more than the other three, so perhaps that is why she came off so well.

I guess "Hills of Tomorrow" and the graduation scene are forever banished from Merrily, which is a shame. But I did like this ending MUCH better than the one Lapine rewrote for the Encores production where Charlie and Frank met for the first time on the rooftop.

[GottaHaveAGimmick]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 8:54am

First time seeing "Merrily." Theater about 90% full in Ft. Lauderdale. Really enjoyed how several songs were reprised throughout the show, but had totally different meanings due to context of the characters and point during timeline of plot ("Not a Day Goes By" and "Good Thing Going").

Not sure I thought Franklin was such a jerk. He had some professional opportunities given to him that he would be foolish to refuse. It's not his fault that his female friend had a crush on him for 20 years and drank herself silly. He wouldn't have stopped Charley from finding another writing partner if a project meant so much to him. In short, people's priorities change as they mature and responsibilities are taken on. The three could have remained best friends had they wanted to.

[Rinaldo]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 9:26am

Yes, I kind of agree -- or at least, though Frank is indeed a jerk, Charley is perhaps even more so -- and this isn't the first time I've found myself reacting that way. Everything has to be HIS way, or his (supposed) friend is a despicable sellout, and it has to happen on his schedule and on his terms, and HE alone knows what's best at any given stage. Good lyricists are in huge demand -- he could have his choice of other projects if his buddy is otherwise occupied at the moment.

As with Jamie in THE LAST FIVE YEARS, even when Charley's words are right, he's being an a**h**e about it.

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 9:31am

Central Illinois - theatre was 1/3 full. I had never seen Merrily in any form. I didn't really care for this production. It wasn't the implausible and varying accents (Was Beth's mother from Ireland?) or the set or most of the performances.

I just think the show is problematic. While the interminable preview (complete with scene and moment spoilers) claimed they'd "solved the problem" - they didn't. None of the characters - except maybe Gussie - are likeable enough in the beginning that I care how they got there. The chorus between scenes tries to get you interested and the chorus asks the right questions - but I didn't really care about "why" or "how". So each revelation is nice and clever and I appreciate the art - but it didn't move me. I am wondering whether that is due to seeing a film, instead of seeing performers on stage live. The live theatre might have invested me more by having those people really singing and acting to me - but film with close-ups and long shots and two shots - just didn't get me interested.

I like the music. I sort of liked the unit set and what they did with it. I thought Gussie was really good - there was a real sense of her character throughout. I liked "Mary" at the beginning, but she grew tiresome to me. And I didn't get the "love" she was supposed to have for Franklin - she just looked like a lovesick teenager. Charlie was incredible with Franklin Shepard Inc. but that was about it for him. He was a nonentity for much of the rest of the show. His "anger" about the option sale was just odd to me. (Question: we don't see Charlie sign the option contract and I got the sense that Franklin was going to forge Charlie's name on it - and that was part of Charlie's anger and potentially even resentment of the money he would earn) I can't decide if I didn't like Franklin because of the performance or the character. I did sense a little frustration at the end of the first scene from him about where he had ended up and that he didn't want to be a "villain", but not that much to make me care. And as he got younger - that raising the voice just didn't work. A person I was with said he became a "dork" - and thus neither of us found him charming.

And the show never answers why these people are friends - old friends - best friends. That might have made the evening satisfying to leave you with the sense of youth and hope and the future but knowing it wasn't really going to work out. I get that is what the show is going for - but it didn't succeed for me.

Conversely, the ending of the Last Five Years does work for me - I feel the exhilaration of Cathy and remorse of Jamie. Also, while Cathy starts out depressed as all get out - that generates sympathy. Then Jamie comes on all youthful and energetic and potentially charming. In this production of Merrily - Franklin starts out egotistical and we see that no one likes him. We see him cheating on his wife. Mary is just a bitter drunk. And Charlie is not even there. (And the lines about the new Charlie Kringas play were delivered so quickly that the importance of "Charlie" was muted).

So, I admire the concept - the songs are very nice (except for the deliberately bad "Broadway" song to open Act II). But, I don't think I'll ever be a fan of the show.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 9:42am

It was a good production. The best ever? Did they "solve all the problems," as they boasted in the press? No. But it was enjoyable, and they chose to play up the sadness and anger of the piece, but not at too much loss of some of the joyful moments. The set was truly ugly at times, but I gather they decided to keep the Menier design, even when they moved. I liked Jenna Russell's Mary a lot.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 10:00am

I liked it...but was a bit underwhelmed. Certainly better than I had thought with all of the "problems" I've always heard about over the years. My biggest disappointment was that the best parts are in Act 1, and Act 2 just sort of glides along with the backwards inevitability that makes the show a little dull.

Side note: costuming on Mary was poor. She looked pregnant through the whole show.

[artscallion]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 10:34am

I've always loved the score and this helped reinforce my love for it. the performances were wonderful. That said, despite the really clear way this story was told I still think the story doesn't work. I mean what is the message here? either it's telling us not to bother trying because we all end up changed for the worse anyway. Or it's a cautionary tale warning that life will be rough, so be sure to hold on to your dreams. But even that doesn't work because Charlie and Mary DID hold onto their dreams and look how unhappy they ended up. I think the fatal flaw is that it's an examination of life with lots of insight but without any ultimate point to it.

I loved the beginning party. The drama of it was gripping and showed promise for a meaty story. I also loved the final scene. There was definitely some emotional payoff from having gotten to know these characters and understanding where they were headed. But my problem is with everything in between. It just seemed a lot of inconsequential chatter set to great music. There was no suspense or tension since it was clear from the beginning that we would be traveling from bitter, angry old people to optimistic, happy young people. So it was all just details. I never felt emotionally engaged until the final scene.

Still it was great to see and the performances, direction and glorious score made it a treat.

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 11:04am

I just got an email from Fandango asking me to rate my experience of seeing Merrily. In it, they mentioned an upcoming DVD release. I wonder if that's really happening.

Updated On: 10/24/13 at 11:04 AM

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 11:26am

Thanks Rinaldo. I was too lazy to listen to the original cd but I did remember a male voice singing a part of NADGB. It's funny in my head it was always Charlie that sang that portion and to me that made sense, as i too see Charlie having a "love" for Franklyn...as always George Furth's book was terrible...but i go for the music and it was lovely although the so-called orchestra seemed thin...

Updated On: 10/24/13 at 11:26 AM

[Huey's Pop]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 11:28am

We loved it in Long Beach. I would have been happier without the spoilers in the pre-show. I also wish we could have had a shot or two of the pit band, and a little more views of the audience.

I could easily watch it again. In fact, it would probably be even better with a second viewing.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 11:39am

Saw it in Omaha last night... 12 people total in my theatre. This was (embarrassingly enough) my introduction to Merrily We Roll Along and I don't think I could have been happier over that fact. I can't think of a single thing about this production that I didn't like and I thought all of the performances were wonderful.

[Esther2]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 12:20pm

ggersten, I agree with much of your assessment, but especially about the camera work. Far too many close-ups took much of the theatricality out of it. I don't know how to fix that, since I'm not sure a stationary camera looking at the entire stage would work (probably would be too static), but I felt I was missing the whole-ness (for lack of a better word, and I know, that's not even a word) of the performance.

I've seen the show several times (original in previews with the paper pool!, Arena Stage, Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre) and every time I really, really want it to work "this time." I love the score so much. And every time, I'm really, really disappointed. But I'll go back the next time, hoping for the best.

Saw it at the AMC Tysons. The theatre was a bit more than half full, which pleased me as I thought I'd be all alone. I saw Company at the AFI Silver, which I thought would be full, and there were a dozen of us in a huge theatre...ah well. Also, they had problems getting the program started, so we didn't see any previews. After reading this thread, I think I'm glad.

[Hest882]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 12:26pm

Saw it in Emeryville last night, across the Bay from San Francisco. Theater was pretty packed by 20 min to the top of the hour--which was not the case in many of the other filmed musicals I've seen there. Anyone who arrived close to the beginning could only find seats with their friends right up front.

I also think they need to move that preview to the end or just show it during intermission. The audience was quite annoyed and restless during that sequence. Plus, who really cares how well they got along during the production?

The accents didn't annoy me as much as I feared, other than the laughable little kid's, who sounded like he was stepping of out Mary Poppins.

Otherwise, I enjoyed it immensely, although I do agree there was something still lacking. Maybe it was me, but it didn't have emotional oomph I expected. Still, it was quite solid and was happy that we might actually have a real filmed version available.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 12:42pm

I'm so sad I missed it on the big screen! I guess I"ll have to download it?

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 12:54pm

Day after day, after day, after day, after day, and the play goes by...

check that off my to do list...

[Jud Faginsky]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 4:16pm

I saw it in Roseville, CA (near Sacramento). There were 19 people in the theatre, which was surprisingly good considering there were only 7 in the same theatre for the 24 hour musical movie. I, too, was really annoyed at the backstage talk for the first 20 minutes. If I didn't know the show I would have been even more annoyed at all the spoilers. If they had cut that out, and cut out the intermission, the movie would have lasted about 2 hours and 20 minutes, which seems like an OK length for a movie. I didn't see either Memphis or Company in a theatre. Did they have an intermission? Did they have the backstage stuff at the beginning? Couldn't these movies just be shown without an intermission? Or do you need the intermission to capture the theatre experience?
One other quibble: Did anyone else notice that in the first song, and in random places in the rest of the show, that the sound was not synched correctly? In the first song I couldn't watch anyone's lips because the sound was so far off.
Overall I loved the show, but I always have liked it, especially the score as others have said. The leads all impressed me. My understanding of the script that Frank is holding at the beginning and the end was the script for Take A Left, which he was holding when he walked up to the roof just before Our Time, having just read it I believe.

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 4:38pm

I'm really glad I went to see this! Like many others have said, although I love the score, I've never had the opportunity to see a full production, and see how it works as a whole, so that was a unique experience.

I saw it in Danbury, too, (small coincidence, Stage Door Sally!) and I thought the group had an overall negative reaction to the behind-the-scenes opening 20 minutes; so negative, in fact, that when the "host" came back on screen to say "that's all from us" people began applauding and cheering! I'm all for behind-the-scenes cast and creative interviews, I love bonus features on DVDs and such, but this was just poorly conceptualized. It should have been at the end of the show for those who wanted to stay. It felt like they were trying to sell the show to a room full of people who a) already bought tickets and b) are anxiously awaiting to see it!

I thought the production overall was very good! My main gripe would be the technical aspects of the show on camera, i.e. many times the picture being out of focus and the colors being significantly off, and unimpressive acoustics for hearing a score in a movie theater. Those are very minor qualms about an otherwise great evening and a really good production of Merrily. Obviously there are many people that express problems with the show and the book, but I think accepting those flaw going in makes for a more enjoyable evening. It's not a perfect piece of theater, but the score is terrific and I care enough about the characters to be invested in the story.