The Community Players proudly present Merrily We Roll Along. The production follows three friends— Frank, Charley, and Mary— in reverse chronology, from the 1970s to the 1950s. In 1976, Franklin Shepard is a wealthy Hollywood producer, and as the story moves backwards in time the audience learns of his meteoric rise from penniless dreamer to successful sellout— and what he lost in the process. Merrily We Roll Along is based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth, and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.
Directed by John McElroy II, with music direction by Richie Sylvia, and choreography by Julia Gillis, this production has it all— comedy, tragedy, love, anger, friends and family feuds, talented voices with awesome harmonies for great song and dance. We’re talking nearly 30 songs here!
Rarely is the orchestra on an upper level. Whether intentional or not, you can partially see the musicians through two windows, as though they are a neighborhood band practicing in one of the members’ apartment. Kudos to set designers Luca Ialongo, Andrew Lugo, Michael Viveiros Jr. and Michael Viveiros Sr. for creating this simplistic staging for such varied settings. These include another apartment, television station set, tiki bar, courtroom and more! This is a large cast, and at times they all take the stage, but it never feels stuffy.
There can be many hurdles in a production this active and complex. Producer Emily Fisher says, “I think one of the biggest challenges in producing the show is working with the conceit of the show— in that it’s moving backwards— and how to effectively communicate that to the audience in a way that’s still fast paced and fun.”
The production could have been shorter in length, but then you might not get the full scope of all that’s happening with the various lives, portrayed by all the many capable cast members. Tyler Rebello as Charley Kringas is nothing short of a one-man riot! Meghan Smith as Mary Flynn plays sad like no tomorrow. Little Lynden Miles Ley tugs at the heart strings as Franklin “Frankie” Jr.
“Merrily is one of Sondheim’s less-known musicals,” says McElroy. “This show, for me, is about friendship, and a love story about friends, and having an opportunity to get my hands on this piece and tell my story and share the experience of what it means to have a real true friend or two in your life and how powerful that can be. It was just something I was really drawn to.”
McElroy believes it’s all up to us. “I’m hopeful that people will leave remembering how important it is to hold onto the friendships in your life,” says McElroy. “It’s our friends who really round us and keep us sane, for the most part, and I really want that to be the thing that audiences take home with them.”
Merrily We Roll Along is presented through April 13. Production runs 2.5 hours including a 15-minute intermission. Refreshments served in the cafeteria. All donations benefit The Community Players’ Special Projects Fund. For more information, visit www.thecommunityplayers.org.
