10. Merrily We Roll Along

November 16, 2023: Merrily We Roll Along (1981)

Related readings in the texts:
- Broadway: The American Musical: p. 347.
- Finishing the Hat: Merrily We Roll Along (Chapter 13, pp. 378-421)
Class 10 Lyrics This handout includes songs featured in class; ALL of the lyrics for Merrily We Roll Along--including cut songs and alternate versions--are in Finishing the Hat.
Musical Numbers as listed in the 2023 revival Playbill--provides date and location of each scene as well.
Handout of the class slides

Links:

Merrily We Roll Along (entire 2013 performance from London) The current Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along began as a production in London's Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre in 2012. Directed by Maria Friedman and using a revised score and book by Sondheim and Furth, the production was recorded live at the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2013. This version was shown in movie theaters in the US later that year. Running Time is 2 hrs. 17 min. Unfortunately, this video is no longer available in its entirety. Some clips are available in the Class 10 video playlist below.

Playlists:

Merrily We Roll Along (1981 Original Broadway Cast Recording) This recording preserves the song list as it was in its initial production, which was a notorious failure. This recording became something of a cult item; fans of the recording credit it with the numerous subsequent attempts to "fix" the show. Sondheim & George Furth later revised the book and the score.
Merrily We Roll Along (2012 Encores! Cast Recording) This recording honors the scene and song list as it was revised by Sondheim and Furth in 1985 and 1992--now the only version licensed for performance. It stars Colin Donnell as Frank, Celia Keenan-Bolger as Mary, and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Charley.
Merrily We Roll Along (2023 Broadway Revival Cast Recording) This recording stars Jonathan Groff as Frank, Lindsay Mendez as Mary, and Daniel Radcliffe as Charley.
Class 10 Videos