Listening to Encores MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Today, I needed perking up and wanted a song that went "bum bum bum dee dum," and played the Encores 2012 "Merrily We Roll Along." (Prefer it to the SD recording for the current version)

For some reason, I had forgotten that Lin-Manual Miranda played Charlie in that production. After being saturated (my own choice) by Hamilton for the past few months, it was a joy to hear his "Franklin Shepard Inc." It also reminded me of Betsy Wolfe. I really look forward to seeing her again sometime soon. (Caught her in "Tales of the City," Drood, and "The Last Five Years" with Adam Kantor)

Updated On: 1/16/16 at 08:00 PM

The best recording of the current version. Although the reorchestrations are odd (especially when the originals are so great) the recording is worth it for "Growing Up".

However, nothing can beat the OBC for me - best cast, best orchestrations, best book. Hopefully it will get remastered soon - it's one of my favorites.

The cast is excellent, but for me the definitive production is the Menier Chocolate Factory's directed by Maria Friedman.

i love the encores 2012 merrily we roll along!!!!!

my fav recording and merrily has more songs in my top 40 sondheim than any other show....7 songs!!!)

loved the recent uk production and so grateful they filmed and broadcast it!

This is my favorite Sondheim show by far. The production at the NY City Center was simply electric...one of the best theatrical experiences of my life. The recording is great, but not nearly as good as it was live. I like the recording with Raul Esparza too. The Encores production was fantastic...Elizabeth Stanley was perfection as Gussie Carnegie...her outfits were first rate.

I assume those of you raving about the original production never saw it. Yes, the kids were supridingly good, as amateurs go. But it wasn't like INTO THE WOODS, where you had a couple of teens playing with more experienced performers. The original cast sang well, but its members didn't sustain scenes as well as you might imagine. The exception was Ann Morrison, who broke your heart even though Mary has little to do in the story.

It's a lovely recording of what I thought was a charming staged concert production. I actually thought Keenan-Bolger was the weak link. For me, It was Elizabeth Stanley who ran away with the show, I remember being shocked by how juicy of a role Gussie is.

i applaud your courage to give a strong shout out for the encores recording. It is outstanding. I also really enjoy the 1994 revival recording a lot, perhaps more than the 2012 encores. (and I love the original recording too). I also really enjoyed the London production from 2014 that was in the theatres.

Merrily we roll along probably has more of my top favorite sondheim songs than any other musical



As one member advised me early in my sondheim explorations-"Just Buy Them All!!!!"

With some on this board, anything other that insisting the original cast of every sondheim show is the best, period, end of discussion is heresy worthy of tar and feathering..

Unfortunately, this may limit peoples exploration and appreciation of the many wonderful interpretations and recordings of sondheim...

Appreciate that those on this thread so far who love the original most have been respectful to the opinions and comments of other posters who may have differing opinions....

would love to see a proper revival of this show!.

Thought the concert was great.

Mary may be the most difficult acting challenge in all of musical theatre. It's hard to win an audience when you "start out" bitter and dissolute. If Mary doesn't have - ah, but underneath! - the heart, humor and individuality to carry the show's first cynical scene, in which she's caustic, annoyed, sloppy and drunk (and, as I recall, her "jokes" in that scene aren't good enough to give her that much help) - the audience is ready to completely give up on the show before it scarcely begins. As I recall, Bolger handled it to perfection.

Updated On: 9/26/16 at 11:21 AM

i specifically recall Colin singing Good Thing Going with Lin, i assume because it's supposed to be a beautiful ballad and among all his talents, Lin unfortunately doesn't possess a beautiful balladic voice.

also re: "Buy Them All!" i think this is a rare Sondheim show where the original recording isn't at all like the current version so having multiple recordings is best. It's not like Company where each recording is basically identical but with a different cast.

Updated On: 9/26/16 at 04:04 PM