Merrily We Roll Along

bump

Anyone?

---

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

---

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

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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

---