I am so sick of this tired old concept. When will it end?
In the end, in 1957, Frank, Mary, and Charley, are looking up to see Sputnik, flying through the sky. It's in the audience, so you don't actually see it. Then all the cast joins in them signing 'Our Time," and it closes with a spotlight on Frank's face.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
Right, I was wondering how it looked with the three of them playing their instruments. Did it work, or did it seem awkward? Because sometimes the characters all hold hands throughout the end, which they obviously can't do while holding instruments, heh
Ooooh, ok, sorry.
They held hands for like a second, but then went back to playing their instruments. It was fine.
Swing Joined: 10/10/09
i found a review:
http://thepublicreviews.blogspot.com/2008/01/merrily-we-roll-along-watermill-theatre.html
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/03
Two years later someone finds a blog and calls it a review - that is not a review, that is a person writing a blog and calling it a review - just like here.
Here is an actual review:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936082.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
Only people in print media are allowed to call their criticisms of theatre reviews?
The whole actor/musician thing originated at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury out of necessity - the theatre is so small, there's no room for an orchestra, or even a band and, unless you want to hear the score performed on a solo piano or harmonica, there's not much choice. Sometimes it works (Sweeney Todd, Mack & Mabel) sometimes it just feels laboured (Sunset Boulevard, the Broadway production of Company). Next up in Newbury is the actor/muso production of 'Copacabana' - I'm keeping my fingers crossed - wish me luck!
RE: Sweeney Todd vs Company.
The thing about Sweeney was I thought that the 'concept' impeded in the story telling - like most vividly I remember Anthony and the Beggar Woman didn't even face each other during confrontation during "LONDON"...I don't know if I would have been able to understand it if this was the first exposure I ever had to the show.
But in Company because everyone is revolving around Bobby and he doesn't really play an instrument until (movingly) the end, I thought it was easier to suspend disbelief that the people in his life are making music 'around him'. (But the taping is the only experience I've had of this show, so I might just not know any other way).
There was an actor/musc Company at the Ipswich Wolsey (UK) using lots of actors from Newbury...a year or so before Doyle's..can't remember who directed but it was excellent...
incidntally there are rumours that Maria Friedman will direct Merrily at the Menier this year
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/03
"Only people in print media are allowed to call their criticisms of theatre reviews?"
That would be nice. You know, people who get paid for a living to do a specific job - sure. Anyone else - blogs, here, there, everywhere - thoughts, just thoughts, just like you and me.
"Only people in print media are allowed to call their criticisms of theatre reviews?"
No, but any idiot with a lap top can write a blahg.
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