The musical that finally flew: a vindication of Merrily We Roll Along's enduring genius.
Forty years after its initial flop on Broadway, Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along has soared to new heights. The show, which tells the story of dissolving relationships through the eyes of a successful composer and movie producer, Franklin Shepard, is now being hailed by critics as a masterpiece. And it's easy to see why.
The musical, based on a 1934 play by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart, has been extensively reworked since its debut in 1981. The original version opened with a student song written by Franklin, but the current production, directed by Maria Friedman, opens with a gaudy party celebrating his latest movie success. This change not only updates the show's approach to casting but also sets the tone for the rest of the evening.
The cast, featuring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, brings new depth to the story. While Franklin is unsympathetic in some ways, Groff intelligently conveys his tragic innocence. Mendez perfectly captures Mary's unfulfilled romantic longings, while Radcliffe lends Charley an angsty neurosis and a passionate belief in the power of art.
But what truly sets Merrily We Roll Along apart is its skillful storytelling. The show's reverse-chronological structure creates a unique emotional resonance with each audience member. Sondheim himself explained this technique in his book, Finishing the Hat, noting that most musicals feature songs followed by reprises, but not Merrily.
In Merrily We Roll Along, the reprise comes first, often with new meaning. For example, Franklin's estranged wife Beth initially sings "But you're still part of my life / And you won't go away" with controlled fury, while on her second appearance it becomes a celebration of their marriage and Mary's unarticulated love for him.
The show also offers plenty of catchy tunes, including the iconic "Old Friends," "Good Thing Going," and the title number. These songs have been earworms for many fans, including the author, who can attest to the emotional impact of the music.
In short, Merrily We Roll Along is a constant joy that finally lives up to its enduring potential. As it flies onto screens in cinemas starting December 4th, audiences will be treated to a masterclass in storytelling, music, and revenge on critics – Sondheim-style.
Forty years after its initial flop on Broadway, Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along has soared to new heights. The show, which tells the story of dissolving relationships through the eyes of a successful composer and movie producer, Franklin Shepard, is now being hailed by critics as a masterpiece. And it's easy to see why.
The musical, based on a 1934 play by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart, has been extensively reworked since its debut in 1981. The original version opened with a student song written by Franklin, but the current production, directed by Maria Friedman, opens with a gaudy party celebrating his latest movie success. This change not only updates the show's approach to casting but also sets the tone for the rest of the evening.
The cast, featuring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, brings new depth to the story. While Franklin is unsympathetic in some ways, Groff intelligently conveys his tragic innocence. Mendez perfectly captures Mary's unfulfilled romantic longings, while Radcliffe lends Charley an angsty neurosis and a passionate belief in the power of art.
But what truly sets Merrily We Roll Along apart is its skillful storytelling. The show's reverse-chronological structure creates a unique emotional resonance with each audience member. Sondheim himself explained this technique in his book, Finishing the Hat, noting that most musicals feature songs followed by reprises, but not Merrily.
In Merrily We Roll Along, the reprise comes first, often with new meaning. For example, Franklin's estranged wife Beth initially sings "But you're still part of my life / And you won't go away" with controlled fury, while on her second appearance it becomes a celebration of their marriage and Mary's unarticulated love for him.
The show also offers plenty of catchy tunes, including the iconic "Old Friends," "Good Thing Going," and the title number. These songs have been earworms for many fans, including the author, who can attest to the emotional impact of the music.
In short, Merrily We Roll Along is a constant joy that finally lives up to its enduring potential. As it flies onto screens in cinemas starting December 4th, audiences will be treated to a masterclass in storytelling, music, and revenge on critics – Sondheim-style.
The new production is like a breath of fresh air, with an amazing cast that really brings the characters to life. Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez are absolute perfection as Franklin, Charley, and Mary - they're like you can see right into their souls! 
And let's talk about Sondheim's storytelling genius... it's so clever how he flips the narrative on its head with that reverse-chronological structure. It's like a rollercoaster of emotions, and I am HERE for it 
Just watched Merrily We Roll Along and I'm hooked! 
The show's reverse-chronological structure is pure genius - it's like watching a masterpiece unfold before your eyes 
#MerrilyWeRollAlong #StephenSondheim 
i mean who hasn't had relationships that fell apart 
but it's how we deal with those feelings that matters 
sondheim is a genius 
jonathan groff, daniel radcliffe, and lindsay mendez are amazing 
i'm low-key obsessed with "old friends" 
anyway, i'm stoked it's finally getting some love 
I'm so over the whole "reworked" thing... like what's wrong with the original? Merrily We Roll Along was already perfect in my eyes 
, but I guess 40 years is a looong time to be considered a flop 
. The new version seems pretty good though, I mean who doesn't love Jonathan Groff's awkward charm 
? And that storytelling technique of Sondheim's is pure genius - it's like he knew exactly what would break my heart 
! I've always loved Sondheim's genius, and this show is like the ultimate example of how to do a musical right 
. The way they've reworked the story to make Franklin more relatable and sympathetic is pure magic 
. And that reverse-chronological structure? Genius 
it really adds an extra layer of emotional depth to the whole thing. I mean, who doesn't love a good song reuse with new meaning? 
.
. And can we talk about how the reprise thing is genius? It's like, you get to see the story unfold in a whole new way each time you watch it 
. I've been listening to the soundtrack nonstop and "Old Friends" is literally my anthem right now