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#26

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 12:06am

BobbyB: I'm not a Sondheim scholar like you guys posting here, but a lot of this discussion is "in retrospect". I actually thought the acting, singing of the OBC was quite excellent. The shows structure was challenging, yes, but I like it when you actually have to concetrate. That being said, I only recently read about the background of the origignal play by George S Kaufman (1934). Even in the Depression days, the "concept" of the play was distressing to critics and NEVER revived on Bway. I mean, think about it -- doing a musical in reverse chronological order - holy cow. I LOVE Hal Prince. OK, making it totally work and be comprehensible to an audience takes a lot or creativity, but NOT everything is a work of genius. I DON'T think this "device" was JUST gimmickry. The Bway audience, just like today, wanted GLITZ for their dough, and didn't get it. Big money, big cotumes, big scenery DO NOT a great musical make. Anyway, the thematic musical threads throughout are just fantastic, I think. So sumptuous, some of those songs.

Updated On: 1/29/12 at 12:06 AM

#27

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 12:27am

But what Mr Prince had open on Broadway in Merrily was neither. He had 19 year olds wearing sweatshirts that said things like "Friend" and "Movie Star". They were dressed as 80s teenagers the entire show. In the "70s" while the characters navigated their 30s and 40s... In the "60s" while they navigated their 30s and 20s... And in the "50s" as they finally came back into their teens... Multicolored sweatshirts with block lettered names written on the front.

All of that would hurt a NORMAL play or musical with a forward moving plot... Let alone one where were going backwards. It was what we now like to call an "epic fail".

Imagine Evita, another show where the lead played someone through someone's lifetime, where the actress wore a rehearsal skirt, heels, and a bright pink sweater that read "Slut". Perone could moonlight in Converse, jeans, and a bright blue t shirt that read "Dictator". How about that?

No, Merrily is a real story about real people... Why not dress them appropriately and put them in appropriate settings?
#28

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 12:25pm

EricMontreal22...George Furth was at the one night only staged presentation at U.C.L.A, 2002, when they did THE revised version, and he stood up before the show and told the audience it was the FINISHED version of this musical, in his opinion, and he was happy with it and hoped everyone would enjoy it...as i have stated here before I HATED IT...but the audience seemed to go along with Furth and enjoy themselves...i kept waiting for HILLS OF TOMORROW...
#29

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 12:34pm

I am not too familiar with the book(s) of MERRILY. But I am very familiar with the score, and I MUCH prefer the revised/final version of the score. I can't imagine seeing the show without the three versions of GROWING UP and Gussie's GOOD THING GOING Act 2 opener. I also love the other changes.
#30

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 12:59pm

BobbyBubby has a point. About the costumes, etc. I believe I remember that there were a lot of changes as soon

+as the previews started, thus, there must have been some REAL infighting...the leading man was fired, the choreographer changed, the costumes were changed, etc. Sometimes, a director might have something all played out in his head, but when previews start, the flaws become known. I also think that this show, even though 30 yrs old suffered from pre-show critical gossip, which is NEVER good, during the ever pushed up opening night, 6 wks later, Perfect example of "would, shoulda, coulda". With more time, or out of town tryouts, one never knows. Me thinks also that wirters, directors, designers sometimes can get TOO close to a show, and not be able to cohere the unmanangeable elements. I've seen a couple o (big)f shows close during previews because of this. ...happens, sometimes, stuff just doesn't work. Now, on to starbucks to "study" MERRILY" lyrics! Good discussion, people!



Updated On: 1/29/12 at 12:59 PM

#32

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 10:53pm

TinyMagic, this has been discussed before, but I think that's a big part of the issue. Sondheim's Finishing the Hat chapter on Merrily makes it clear that the creators, particularly it seems him and Hal Prince, were creating one type of show while they thought they were doing another. They were attracted to the idea of doing an *almost* "Let's put on a show gang" type musical, filled with youthful energy and youthful optimism. Nobody seemed to realize at the time just how depressing and cynical the story of the show was coming across (some argue even more so when seen as performed by young people).
#33

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/29/12 at 11:28pm

Question - which recording of "Merrily" do you most recommend?

I know this is opening up a big can of worms as different recordings also include different songs...

Also, any word on whether or not this production will be recorded?
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
#34

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/30/12 at 2:51am

Though it's a bit overly synthesized, I'd probably recommend the 1994 Off-Broadway cast album for a first time listener. If you like it, then definitely check out the two other recordings.

Updated On: 1/30/12 at 02:51 AM

#35

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/30/12 at 3:08am

I would definitely go for the OBCR. While it was recorded in something of a rush (and you can tell--there are some bum notes in the orchestra, the mikes do funny things like during Mary's now You Know solo), but the energy makes up for all of that, as do some of the performances, which may have not worked on stage, but do on record. I think it's one of the more exciting cast albums I know of--the recent remater has better sound, and a couple of bonus tracks, but like all the remasters of Sondheim's RCA albums, worse liner notes. You can also find it really cheap--new for under $10 (and I don't think it's been reissued in the ultra cheap cardboard cases the way a bunch of cast albums under Sony recently were).

Second choice for me would be the 1994 York Off-Broadway Susan Schulman production. It DOES have a small orchestra which is, as ljay said, a bit overly synthesized, and suffers a bit from sounding a bit too clean or even clinical in terms of sound (a problem I have with a number of 90s Varese Sarabande cast albums--I hope bk isn't reading this thread), but is great to have, has great performances, and I think shows off the new material best. Sadly I think it's out of print, but Amazon has cheap used copies.

The 1993 Leicester recording (which has slightly more music--without checking I believe they include the Entr'acte and one other "Merrily" transition) is one many seem to enjoy, but I have no love for even if it has performers like Freidman and Pappas who I usually love. Maybe I need to give it another chance... This recording is available in 2 disc and 1 disc editions - not having the 1 disc I don't know what's cut but I doubt it's much at all, maybe it's like the London Follies in that the original recording was just slightly too long for two CDs. I *think* it's still in print though tends to be a bit expensive.
#36

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/30/12 at 3:38am

I am not a purist, and I do agree that there is lots to love on the OBCR. But, my problem with recommending the OBCR to a newcomer is that it doesn't represent the final (licensed) version of the score, which will be heard at Encores!

Updated On: 1/30/12 at 03:38 AM

#37

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/30/12 at 3:49am

I admit, I'm someone who more often than not thinks the original recording is the best--in this case your point is valid (that's why I think any big Sondheim fan should really have the original and one of the revised ones)--and particularly if the poster is planning to see the Encores version and wants to be familiar with that version it makes more sense. Otherwise though i honestly think on CD the OBCR is the best introduction. :P (But I get your point).
#38

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/30/12 at 4:00am

Honestly, it's probably best to get both recordings. That way it's more fun to compare the changes! Merrily - which version is it?

#40

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 1/30/12 at 6:28am

the problem i had with only knowing the OBC cd was that when i saw a revised version i was mad, lost and upset that it wasn't like the music i had been listening to for years on the cd...so the thoughts here about listening to both old and newer versions makes sense...but...i'll stick with the original thank you very much...
#42

Merrily - which version is it?

Posted: 2/7/12 at 1:51am

I'm somewhat late commenting on this, but though I love Rich and Happy, I disagree that That Frank makes it seem like Frank is a success. I recently did a production of this show, and throughout the song the characters comment on the movie calling it
"fun" or "commercial". Though there is no surface negativity in these words, it's clear that they aren't meant to be compliments. Everyone at the party knows that Frank has produced a piece of drek that will simply make a lot of money, but they aren't going to insult it outright, since they are friends with Frank and many likely worked on the movie. So they use these words to describe the movie, which sound positive but clearly aren't.

Furthermore, later in the scene, Gussie describes Frank's work as a producer as forgettable and essentially artistically worthless. I don't see how the scene or the song makes it seem that Frank is successful whatsoever.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

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