Merrily We Roll Along
Director’s Notes
How do you stage a musical with a live band in the tiniest of the city’s theatres? How do you convince people of a show that has been called the ‘Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened’? How do you condense a full Broadway ensemble to a mere 8 actors and ask them to perform one of the most complicated musical theatre scores? When I decided to put on Stephen Sondheim’s often forgotten masterpiece, "Merrily We Roll Along," all these questions ran through my mind. The answer was simple: surround yourself with the most dedicated, skilled, and passionate team of performers and creatives whose enthusiasm for this show almost exceeded my own. This show has been an absolute labour of love for me and the entire team.
Thank you so much to Ad Astra for the opportunity to stage this show. Their passion for programming interesting and challenging theatre is driving our local theatre scene forward. Thank you to the creative team: Ben Murray, Tess Hill, James Shaw, and Wes Bluff. Your work, as always, was full of skill and passion that resonates throughout the stage. Thank you to our band led by Ben, who make this incredibly complex score sound incredible. A very special thank you to Stage Manager/Production Manager Caitlin Scott, who has gone above and beyond every single day to get this show on stage. Finally, thank you to this phenomenal cast. They have worked so hard and dug so deep to explore every corner of this complex and dense show. I won’t say more because I think their work speaks for itself.
"Merrily We Roll Along" is a fascinating character study. It boasts a quintessential Sondheim score and complex narrative structure. In short, it is everything you want a great musical to be. Yet it is rarely performed. In an age where we see too many blockbuster musicals over and over again, it is such a privilege to have the opportunity to bring this masterpiece to a Queensland stage for the first time. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you. It’s our time, and we are just going to breathe it in.
Tim Hill
Director
About the musical
Merrily We Roll Along is a 1981 American musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth.
Merrily We Roll Along begins in the present and moves backwards, tracing the lives of wealthy, jaded composer Franklin Shepard and his two estranged friends through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends at the start of their careers face a bright future: young, talented and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered.
Content Warnings: Please be advised that this production uses haze, and contains adult themes, course language, simulated drug use and loud sudden noises.
CAST
Franklin Shepard - Stephen Hirst
Mary Flynn - Natasha Veselinovic
Beth Spencer / Ensemble - Heidi Enchelmaier
Charley Kringas - Alex Watson
Gussie Carnegie / Ensemble - Jordan Twigg
Joe Josephson / Ensemble - Chris Kellett
Meg Kincaid / Ensemble - Chelsea Burton
Male Ensemble - Liam O’Byrne
Frank Jr | Edward Hill (May 19, 24, 25, 30 JUne 2 & 7)
Frank Jr | Milo White (May 16, 17, 18, 23, 31 June 1, 6 & 8)
CREATIVES AND CREW
Director | Tim Hill
Musical Director | Ben Murray
Choreographer | Tess Hill
Associate Director | James Shaw
Stage Manager | Caitlin Scott
Assistant Stage Manager | Loretta Melit
Production Assistant | Libby Harrison
Reviews
According to theatre director Tim Hill, he asked himself how he could get the massive Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s “often forgotten masterpiece” Merrily We Roll Along done in Brisbane’s smallest theatre, Ad Astra. He answered the question admirably by getting a great cast and crew. Friday’s show was to a packed house that thoroughly enjoyed it.
Most of the cast plays ensemble roles. But Jordan Twigg gives a gorgeous femme fatale feel to Gussie’s role. Chris Kellet gives Joe Josephson a creditable New York Jewish accent and feel. Heidi Enchelmaier gives Beth Spencer, Frank’s first wife, a poignancy, difficult to deliver in a musical.
At one point, Alex Watson almost rouses the audience to a standing ovation with Charley Kringas’ spitfire speech/singing. Chelsea Burton plays several characters, but as Meg Kincaid, she’s almost irresistible. Liam O’Byrne creditably camps up his characters. Two young fellows, Edward Hill, and Milo White, apparently play the role of Frank Jr. It seems Milo can look forward to a career in show biz.
Kudos to musical director Ben Murray, choreographer Tess Hill, and the crew for fitting the many facets together in this frolic. It’s fabulous.
Gareth Macready - Dark Stories | Read Review Here
Actors
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Creatives & Crew
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