Doyle to direct Merrily We Roll Along?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:48pm

I know someone who found this on another board, but can't seem to get any further information as to whether it'll be directed normally, with instruments or... what.

John Doyle is to direct a production of Merrily We Roll Along at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire. The show is slated to open in January 2008 and run until March.

I know it's way off in the future, but I thought I'd see if anybody here had heard anything.

Edited for spelling because my brain is on medication-induced vacation tonight.

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 10:48 PM

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:49pm

another perfect vehicle for this type of treatment.

Although ont he funnny side, I'd love it if their instruments get smaller, so that Charley plays a euphonium at the beginning and a pocket trumpet at the end.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 10:53pm

Well, that's if he's doing it that way. People quickly forget that it's not the only thing he does; I don't think it's necessarily right for the default assumption to be that everything from here on out will get the "concept" treatment.

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 10:53 PM

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:04pm

That's true. I would see it with Doyle at the helm even without this concept, of course. I enjoy what he gets out of his actors.

But one of the reasons I like the concept is that I always know that the singers are musicians, which is wonderful. Everything has more rhythmic integrity and the pitches are usually much better than the OC's of each production.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:07pm

Yes, I'd see anything he does at this point as well -- actor/musician or not. Of course, this would be across the pond, so I wouldn't get to, but I'm curious no less.

*pokes the insiders*

[C is for Company]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:17pm

If he DID use his treatment here, I think it would be wonderful! I'm glad he would take the chance to direct a production after it was mounted in London in 2001. Plus, the show is very brassy and I could see the players tackle the score very stylishly.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:17pm

Just please give us a little music - it is musical theater!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:21pm

and acting!

[jewishboy]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:23pm

Will we finally see a Bway production of my second fav Sondheim musical? Actually don't answer that.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:26pm

If it were ever to return to Broadway -- no matter the directorial form -- the book would need some serious help, though. I really like the show, and would love the chance to see it live someday. Not surprisingly, Merrily and Company have always reminded me of each other.

Updated On: 3/7/07 at 11:26 PM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:28pm

I saw the Ravinia concert, it was delightful and it had an orchestra. Very nice!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:35pm

John Doyle

presents

Merrily We Blow Along.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:37pm

I loved his SWEENEY
not so much his COMPANY
but BLOW ALONG I would see.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:41pm

Jewishboy, I'd say that your chances of seeing your 2nd favorite Sondheim are just as good as those of your 1st favorite Sondheim. Sorry I answered it

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:41pm

Well played.

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 11:54pm

I hope this happens. Merrily is my second favorite score by Sondheim.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:01am

he is such a damn tease. he was supposed to do The Rink. i want a The Rink revival!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:02am

and what really happened to his BARNUM?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:03am

Didn't it end up that it would be virtually impossible to cast?

[gumbo2]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:06am

I would be very pleased if this somehow made it to Broadway, whether or not people are playing instruments. I just recently got the cast recording and I love it. Then again I love everything with Malcolm Gets, but still...

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 12:10am

I'd love to see Doyle's take on Merrily We Roll Along. Though I'm somewhat skeptical about how the actor-musician concept could work with this show, he's pulled it out in Sweeney and Company as far as I'm concerned, so I'm sure he'd have some ideas if he took this on. On the other hand, I'd actually love to see what he'd do with this show with a separate orchestra. The book may need some work, but I don't think that in its recent incarnations it's been too awful.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 1:03am

brdlywr-
Um...."Merrily" didn't play Ravinia...it started with "Night Music" and then "Passion" "Sunday" "Anyone Can Whistle" and "Gypsy"...but they have yet to do "Merrily" or "Into the Woods." Are you sure you don't mean the Kennedy Center Production?

[AC126748]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 1:05am

I hope he does this conventionally. I'm kinda tired of his actor/musician schtick. If it were to move to Broadway, Miriam Shor should repeat the hilarious and heartbreaking performance she gave at the Kennedy Center five years ago.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 1:25am

I think John Doyle should use his special directorial treatment on Li'l Abner! Think of the jugband potential!

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/8/07 at 8:46am

Jes' lahhk the Country Baahr Jambooohreeee!!


As for the Partridge Family Presents Merrily We Roll Again...

Not interested.

Maybe since the plot goes backwards, they could also play their instruments backwards! Once good gimmick deserves another.