MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Reviews — Page 2

Jumpin_J said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Truly warms the heart to read MERRILY reviews this strong…and quite the rave for Groff by Jesse Green.

It could be Groff vs Redmayne come Tony time."

Eddie might get nominated for just being him which would be wrong, but I HATED Cabaret. The director blew it. The MC is constantly angry which contradicts his opening monologue of "In here, everything is beautiful". Sally is constantly hysterical so she has nowhere to go when she has her breakdown, and Cliff has all the enthusiasm of watching paint dry until he yells at Sally near the end. I've spoken to at least three other people who saw the same production with different casts and said the same thing, so these are directorial decisions. I'll reserve judgement on Merrily when I see it tomorrow."

When I saw Eddie Redmayne in Cabaret, it felt like I was really watching the Director's hand whereas in Merrily it really felt like it was Groff's talent that made all the difference (as much as Maria Friedman I'm sure has helped though clearly based on the filmed London Merrily she herself cannot always find the magic answer for everyone and Groff is doing something special). Hopefully the buzz starts to build behind Groff - I do think Merrily will need to extend though or it would be very unusual to aware a Best Actor Musical Tony to someone in a closed show when there are viable alternatives from open shows. 

steve.sometime said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Truly warms the heart to read MERRILY reviews this strong…and quite the rave for Groff by Jesse Green.

It could be Groff vs Redmayne come Tony time."

More importantly, which is going to win the Best Revival? My heart wants Merrily's redemption story to go all the way! But Cabaret is incredibly strong."

I give MERRILY the edge as of now, but I haven't seen CABARET. Could also depend if MERRILY is running come Tony time...it's scheduled through 3/24/24, but I don't know how long these contracts are for the 3 stars.

But it's a stacked season for revivals with maybe more on the way.

MERRILY
CABARET
GUTENBERG
WIZ
SPAMALOT

I really don't know who I'd give the best revival Tony to (not that Cabaret has started and will even have most of the same cast as I saw). If it were based purely on the physical production/staging I would have to give it to Cabaret, which I think is ultimately more beautifully designed and interestingly stage. I think this Cabaret production will work with a cast change, whereas I'm not convinced Merrily will. The special ingredient for this Merrily production is the 3 leads. But ultimately this has proved that the material and show works when previously it didn't. And that does feel like an accomplishment worthy of a 'Best Revival' status. 

I would not be unhappy if 'Best Revival' Tony went to Cabaret through if Groff and Radcliffe walk away with Tonys, for example. 

 

 

I have rarely been more pleased by a reviews thread.

This is Groff's moment. I am so thrilled for him, it brings tears to my eyes. 

I hope Steve and Hal are reading these wherever they may be.

I've heard credible rumors they are still looking for/accepting money from investors. I don't really know why or how it works especially because performances have started and business is stellar. Perhaps someone who knows more than me could indicate whether this means anything RE: longer run or if it's standard fare. 

"I have rarely been more pleased by a reviews thread."

I agree 100%. These reviews make me want to fly to NYC as soon as possible and see the show.

THRILLED with these reviews. This show deserves all the praise it's getting. It's a truly remarkable production.

Groff vs. Redmayne will definitely be a close Tony race, but let’s not forget Mendez vs. Rankin and Friedman vs. Frecknall. 

EDSOSLO858 said: "Groff vs. Redmayne will definitely be a close Tony race, but let’s not forget Mendez vs. Rankin and Friedman vs. Frecknall."

And while Cabaret vs. Merrily is basically guaranteed to be two-horse race, the rest of these aren't. We also have Kelli O'Hara and likely Eden Espinosa (Lempicka) in leading actress, Chip Zien and Brian D'arcy James in leading actor, and Alex Timbers (Here Lies Love) in director! 

Jordan Catalano said: "I’m firmly in the camp of believing a Redmayne/Groff race isn’t really a race at all. I just have the feeling that these are both Groff & Mendez’s awards and it would take something absolutely extraordinary happening to change my mind on that."

I have already begun to think that all three will win the Tony award in a mere 8 or so months.  With Radcliffe, not only does he have unanimous rave reviews and a mega-show-stopping number; his ongoing commitment to return to Broadway on a regular basis, coupled with the fact the fact that the Tony's have truly snubbed him in the past, will have voters wanting to make it up to him.  I can think of no one as famous as he is who has appeared on Broadway as many times as he has, 5 times, in a mere 15 years.  i see Charlie as a featured role, star or not.

TaffyDavenport said: "As far as Best Revival is concerned, I'd put money on Merrily right now, and I haven't even see this Cabaret. I could be wrong, but I just don't see the reaction being as rapturous, and, more importantly, as heartfelt, as it has been toMerrily."

There’s so many levels also to the love this show is (finally) getting in New York and I think that’s gong to play in big time with the Tony Voters. Giving this musical the respect it was never able to get originally just seems like a well deserved gift they can give to Sondheim/Furth/Prince.

 

And I also agree that Radcliffe very well might take it, too. Would love so much for all 3 of them to be able to post together holding their statues. 

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "ElephantLoveMedley said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "It could be Groff vs Redmayne come Tony time."

Definitely feels that way. These are love letters to Groff. Right now, Redmayne feels like the only other major threat this season."

My thesis about MERRILY has long been that the original was primarily doomed because they could never crack Frank (and that was a combination of Prince, Furth, Weissenbach/Walton, Sondheim). His arc wasn't right and the audience disengaged. Finally, Frank has been cracked and guess what? The show works! And IMHO it works much better with Groff & the current cast than with the gents from London."

Do you have any specific changes? Curious as I likely won't make it in town for this one, but it looks gorgeous!