Merrily We Roll Along Previews (2019) — Page 3

rg7759 said: "Does anyone else feel the shortening of shows to not have intermission says 'we hate our audiences and we don't feel like hiding it anymore'?"

No. Just you.

This version reinstates the Charlie/Mary restaurant scene, so that Frank has time to reflect and stew after the TV interview. And it works much better.

christinelavin said: "...
I just know I was unmoved, and that could never have been the intent of anyone connected to this production.

"

In my opinion, MERRILY has never been moving except for a few moments: Mary's third of "Not a Day Goes By" and the end of the show, which has enough unironic nostalgia for almost anyone over the age of 24. The songs are glorious, no argument, and the process of going backward gave Sondheim interesting challenges to solve (e.g., reprises happening before the main number).

But the fact of going backward means we are left with one relationship to the characters and action: dramatic irony. And one feeling: "this isn't going to work out like they (the characters) think it will." That could be moving for a moment or two, but not for 2.5 (in the original) hours.

Just be glad you didn't also have to sit through it with teenaged, amateur actors (again, a couple of whom were quite good).

SPOILERS AHEAD

JBroadway: Apologies for taking so long to get back to you, have been busy with Life!

For me, by cutting unnecessary characters and events -- no-one invents the phone machine, there's no Frank Jr., no lawyer Jerome -- this production clarifies what's important about the story, and that's the relationship between these three people. There's a poignancy to the "Old Friends" section of "It's a Hit" that never hit me before, in part because we heard "Old Friends" 15 minutes prior, not 40 minutes prior (including an intermission). The musical echoes and references (and cross references etc.) resonate more for me because there's less other gratuitous material getting in the way. In other words, the musical Easter eggs, so vital to ones understanding of the score, land better because there's less book. I think that director Noah Brody has done a marvelous job of very clearly guiding the audience through the destruction of this friendship, and in such a way that justifies why we're being told the story backwards. And the addition of the framing device at the top helps tremendously. When Frank says, "I'd give anything to go back and do it all over again" we then go into his mind and see him relive it all...and that just makes sense to me. I fear I'm not being as articulate as I'd like to be, these being thoughts off the top of my head.

Also, I've always thought that the blinding of Meg (taken from the original Kaufman & Hart play) is just too violent a beginning, one that leaves the audience thinking, "What the Hell!" and makes it very hard for them to recover and ever like the people onstage. I don't miss it one bit.

I was at this evenings performance, and Sondheim was in attendance.

I REALLY enjoyed it. After hating Fiascos Woods, I was nervous about this, but I thought it was very well done and a complete improvement over their Woods.
For the first time, I felt the story was clear and finally made sense. The transitions arent missed, and the backwards time travel is handled with clarity and depth.

I do wish the show began with some introductory notes rather than the piano chords of the title song. I wouldve also enjoyed hearing the full title song, this version was very truncated. Gemignanis new orchestrations and arrangements are generally well done but they take time getting used to as many moments are drastically different from what we know.
Not A Day Goes By was far too rushed, I get Beth is singing it with urgency in the moment, but the song should be a standout. The new Now You Know was more shocking than I expected. Marys section was great, but I wouldve liked if the song felt more complete and I missed many of the lyrics of the versions we know. I could settle for it not being the bombastic act one finale, but I wouldve liked to hear more of it and some of the missing lyrics.
Also, I really missed Mary’s “These are the movers, these are the shapers” moment in “Rich and Happy.”


Performances are generally very strong, and the cast works wonders together as an ensemble and team. For the first time, I felt Gussie having such a large presence finally made sense. Emily Young delivers a spot on portrayal but her vocals were underwhelming tonight, she was possibly under the weather.

I loved the standard Fiasco quirkiness and inventiveness throughout the staging, and the choreography perfectly matched the directors vision.

There were so many moments in the book that I had never heard before, as there is materials from drafts and the original play. The new material added more depth to Beths role, which I enjoyed.
This is definitely the best version of the book that Ive seen on stage.
Musically, this isnt the best Merrily, but overall after seeing Encores! and Mara Friedmans filmed version, this is the best overall version of the show that Ive personally seen. Musically, all of the various cast recordings provide a more enjoyable experience.

I hope the critics like this production, and if they do, I can definitely see Roundabout transferring it.

also, I apologize quotations and apostrophes don’t post when I type from my phone on here lately.

Updated On: 1/23/19 at 10:28 PM

Ticket sales seem strong. Any chance of an extension?

My first production of Merrily. I appreciated the streamlined show even though I don't know any better. It was fast-moving and engaging, helped strongly by bright and clear sound.

Some questions/comments for those who know more and can offer some insights.

Bobby and Jackie and Jack--why leave this while cutting/shortening other elements that helped the story or were just better songs (subjective, I know)?

I thought the book largely suppressed the theme of one-upmanship (kid vs. adult, lyricist vs. composer, even wife vs. mistress). To me this stripped some valuable tension from the show.

Choreography: at times ambivalent or awkward (looking kinda wobbly up on the chairs). The Blob was fun though, along with some other bits I don't recall.

Brittany B. as Beth etc. was a joy throughout. Ben S. as Frank: I would have preferred sexy with a sheen of sleaze. Manu N. as Charley was consistently strong in voice and presence.

Thinking about going again sometime after opening night.

Not sure about general rush, but there's half price student rush a half hour before curtain.



Reviews tonight!