Merrily We Roll Along

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 5:18pm

Why did Merrily We Roll Along flop? I just got the OCR and after a few listenings, I think the music is really beautiful, especially the transitions and Rich and Happy. Was the book weak? I'm very curious.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 5:36pm

bump

Anyone?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 5:39pm

The book is a mess.

P.S. if you are in NYC, NYU is doing it.

Updated On: 8/24/05 at 05:39 PM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 5:40pm

Ah, unfortunately not. I'm a Chicago gal. Thanks for the info, though.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 7:51pm

The book is lousy, the original cast was very young and raw.

By the way, RICH AND HAPPY is no longer in the show. The book has been rewritten a couple of times, and there is a new song in its place. The graduation scenes at the beginning and end of the show are gone too.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:03pm

Okay, I'll take a crack at it. My screen name is actually a character from the show. That by no means makes me an authority. I'll try to post what I've heard and read. Others may no more or a more correct account.

One of the biggest complaints about the show is the time device. I've read a million criticisms about how audiences just couldn't get it or wrap their heads around the fact that it was going backwards. I think that's a little ridiculous and it also insults the intelligence of any audience member who saw it. Each year is clearly sung to the audience.

The original lead, James Weissenbach, was replaced by Jim Walton shortly before the show opened. The costumes were thrown out in favor of the shirts that explained who people were ("Best Pal," "Producer's Wife" etc). I believe the choreographer was sacked right before opening as well.

The age of the original cast is often blamed. Hal Prince wanted the show to have a youthful cast, and apparently that was a problem. No one could buy these 20 year old kids as jaded sophisticates in the early scenes.

The revival book tightened things up. As Jon said, "Rich and Happy" was replaced with "That Frank." "The Blob" (cut in previews) was restored and a new song "Growing Up," was added. The first "Not a Day Goes By" was returned to Beth, who lost the song to Frank in the original production.

A director I know said he could never stage the show because Franklin Shepard is so thoroughly unlikable. I'm not sure I agree with it. The show can be dodgy, but when done right, it can be pretty move. I saw a local university's production about ten years ago and I really enjoyed. I'm biased, though, because I've loved the show since I first heard the OBC.

SorryGrateful, try and track down the 1994 York Theatre Recording. It's got a good cast (including Malcolm Gets and Michele Pawk) and the new/restored songs I mentioned.

As I said, I'm by no means the authority on this show, but if you have any other questions, let me know. It's one of my all-time favorites.

Updated On: 8/24/05 at 08:03 PM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:07pm

sorry, keep the weather nice, we arrive in Chi-town tomorrow!

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:09pm

Also (I'm sure I'm in the minority on this, but I still believe it) I don't think the book (the original or revised) is nearly as problematic as legend has it. I just think the show will never be able to rise above the infamy of its original production.

[yipper]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:13pm

Funny... I was watching a bootleg video of the Original Broadway Production just yesterday. The whole production looks amatuerish and tacky. At first it is puzzling to watch these kids, then it becomes frustrating, and finally sad. I LOVE Sondheim and Hal Prince, but Merrily really was a shambles. Hal Prince came up with the conception of the show to be cast by young actors and holds true to his idea throughout. I honestly respect his choice, but it didn't work. Still Love Hal and Steve!

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:14pm

Oh, yeah, it was a total disaster. I just think it's a shame that it will most likely never be able to rise above that first Broadway run.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:16pm

I recently saw the production that was on 45th OOB, and it was a trainwreck, but behind the chaos there was areally beautiful show. I fell in love.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:18pm

What about it was a train wreck? The production itself? What was wrong with it?

[BobbyRobbyBobbyBaby]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:25pm

I think this is one of the best scores that Sondheim has written. The traveling back in time thing is genius. It's interesting to find out how one become who they are. I don't think that the audience need to be spoon fed the plot. I agree with Kringas that the 1994 York Theatre recording is fantastic. I actually prefer it to the OBC.

I think with the right direction and staging, this could be an incredible revival.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:28pm

Charley Kringas is one of my dream roles. I love love love "Franklin Shepard Inc"

There's a third recording, as well. Billed as the "First Complete Recording" 1997's (I think) Jay Records recording of the Leicester Haymarket Recording covers two cds, has a bit of dialogue and, in my opinion, just kind of sucks. Evan Pappas is okay as Charley, but I can't stand any of the other performances.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:28pm

Like the original, it was all people just out of or still in college, so it didn't play so great for the scenes where there characters are older. The Choreogrpahy and Direction was weak. THey charged 50 dollars for tickets. The actor playing Franklin, to me was not believeable as his character, I'm not sure why, but he just felt fake to me. The girl playing mary had a tendency to go over the top. Half the time she was heartbreaking (in a good way) and half the time she turned the thing into a farce. Charlie and Beth were the highlights of the show.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:30pm

Thanks, Zoneface. At least the production made you a fan of the show. God, I love this score. I think I'm gonna throw on the York Recording right now.

And a part of me died when I was unable to see the DC production a few years ago. Anyone see it? I'm sure Raul was great, but I'm really curious to know how Miriam Shor did as Mary.

[yipper]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:54pm

Don't be downhearted, Kringas. Merrily continues to grow in respect and admiration from audiences and critics. When it works, Merrily, can really move you to tears and make you question the choices you make in your own life. That is the power of great theatre. I think at the end of the day it will finally get it due.

By the way, I saw some clips from the Reunion concert. It was powerfully moving. I wish I'd been there.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:59pm

By all accounts, the reunion was powerful and emotionally charged. They also used the original script (which hasn't seen the light of day in ages). I wish I'd seen that, too.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 10:18pm

I love the music, but I don't think the show works.

Raul Esparza was remarkable as Charlie in the Kennedy Center production though. I mean, like, riveting.

The show "looked" pretty and everyone was good in it, but I agree with everyone who says the book is a mess.

[roquat]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 10:55pm

This is one of the best scores ever.

It's not so much the time device as the fact that the same story told chronologically would come across as banal and dated. There are some very naive notions about show business and "integrity" which don't work, as well as the notion that age is automatically corrupting.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 11:15pm

I adore this score but I saw the same production that Zoneace saw and agree with the points she/he made. Including that Charlie and Beth were the highlights, he was working very hard though and straining to keep the comedey going. I thought the book was not good, the jokes and character arcs were just stale.

I want to see this NYU production you speak of Goth, I'll check the website for it. I really would love to see a full scale revisal of the show though, and this Kennedy Center concert sounds tremendous.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 11:41pm

Here's the NYU info


http://education.nyu.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/ejf9434/steinhardt/db.cgi?db=events&do=search_results&detailed=1&Record_id=1762&Record_id-opt==&uid=default&t=events&Dept_design=8

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 11:55pm

Thanks for the link.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:25am

I managed to see the original 1981 production in late previews.

I never bought the argument that the audience could not follow the show. They could follow it fine, they just didn't like the story being told, and the way it was being performed by a cast that had been directed to act like High School students putting on a show. (Thomas Sheppard actually took this out of the OBCR, shich is why it sounds slicker and more professional.) There were a number of moments in the show that were funny, touching and involving but in the end it just didn't add up to a totally satisfying evening. Some of the story is simplistic and cliche (the idea that one can ONLY be a success by selling out. Sondheim seems have done all right without going that route.)

The Kennedy Centre production usd the revised script which makes the story clearer and makes Frank less of total loser at the start. Raul was sensational and his "Franklin Sherard Inc." recieved deserved prolonged applause. I liked many of the changes but felt they should have kept the opening and closing graduation scenes to bookend the show.

There was something very moving at the very end of the original production seeing all those smiling faces in graduation gowns and as the vamp for "Merrily" began the curtian slowly fell.

The OBCR made a good case for the score (which was trounced by most of the theatre critics in 1981 and many only reversed their position after the record album came out.) I like the later versions too but the orchestra sounds smaller and more elctronic on the two later CDs.

I think there is still a fantastic show in there and with each new production we seem to get closer to it. I keep hoping.

[Theatrical Landladies]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:25am

Guys, the DONMAR WAREHOUSE production directed by MICHAEL GRANDAGE (Ewan McGregor's Guys and Dolls and soon to direct the new EVITA) was wonderful and included the graduation scene at each end and the cut song RICH AND HAPPY. Here is a link to a summary of the reviews which the BRITISH "heavy" papers gave it. They are quite interesting!

http://www.albemarle-london.com/merrily.html