Merrily We Roll Along 1981

Merrily We Roll Along (1981) is a musical with a libretto by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The show was produced by Hal Prince. The musical ran on Broadway for 44 previews and 16 performances in late 1981. The show was adapted from the 1934 George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play of the same name. The show is told backwards from 1981 to 1955.

Broadway Plot Synopsis

Going through his life from his early 40s to his high school graduation, Merrily We Roll Along follows composer turned film producer Franklin Shepard.

Detailed Plot Synopsis

The show starts at the graduation ceremony of the Lake Forrest academy class of 1981. Frank Shepard has been asked to speak to the students. (The Hills Of Tomorrow) he is mocked by the students. The song transitions into 1980 (Rich and Happy) at the after party of Frank's newest film. Frank's oldest friend and movie critic, Mary Flynn, is also attending this party. Frank Shepard is having an affair with the star of his movie, Meg Kincaid. Frank's wife, Gussie Carnegie discovers the affair and breaks up with him. Kate Kincaid mentions Charley Kringas and Mary Flynn, drunk, declares she is no longer Frank's friend.

The show transitions to 1975 (Second Transition) in which, Charley Kringas discusses winning a Pulitzer prize for his most recent play. Mary Flynn discusses her trouble with drinking. The show moves onto a scene in the Polo Lounge. In which Mary Flynn is sitting. Charley Kringas joins her, arriving 45 minutes late. Soon after, Gussie and Frank show up, being interviewed by Gwen Gordon. Charley wishes to leave, but Mary pushes him to make it up with Frank (Old Friends/Like it was) Charley does so and Frank and him get into a physical altercation.

The show transitions to 1973 (Third transition.) Frank is playing Good Thing Going during an interview by Jeffery on live television. Jeffery begins to interview Charley (Franklin Shepard Inc.) and the interview goes poorly, leading to Frank walking out of the interview.

The show transitions to 1968. Within Frank's new apartment, Mary, Charley, and Frank reunite. (Old Friends) they are then joined by Gussie Carnegie and Joe Josephson. Mary begins drinking.

The show transitions to 1966. Gwen Gordon stands on the steps of a courthouse reporting on Frank and Beth Spencer's divorce. Gussie Carnegie leaves the courthouse and is harassed by press. Frank leaves the courthouse, with Charley, Mary, Jerome and others. Frank is distraught at losing Beth, and gets her alone (Not a Day Goes By) where he confesses that he cheated on her. She leaves him for good. Frank's friends rally around him (Now You Know!)

Act two opens at the opening night of Musical Husbands, 1965, starring Terry Turner Beth has gone into labor with her and Frank's second son, and Evelyn Kringas has gone to find them a cab. Everyone goes with Beth to the hospital, but Frank stays behind.

The show transitions to 1962. At Gussie's party, (the Blob) Frank and Charley learn that they are being commissioned to write the score to Musical Husbands. Charley is made to sing some of their work (Good Thing Going) and then is made to sung it again, getting drowned out and mocked by the crowd.

The show transitions to 1960. Frank, Charley, and Beth perform in Frankly Frank (Bobby, Jackie, and Jack) and Frank meets Joe Josephson. Charley has been married for 2 years. Frank is marrying Beth, who is pregnant with their first son. (Not a Day Goes By reprise)

The show transitions to 1959^timeline where Frank, Mary, and Charley are working on their careers. Frank writing music, Charley writing plays and lyrics, and Mary writing her novel. Frank and Charley unsuccessfully audition their work at Joe. At the end, they organize Frankly Frank and meet Beth.

The show transitions to October 1957. Frank is up on the roof, on a weekend pass from the military, waiting for Sputnik. Charley goes to see him and Frank remarks that he enjoys Charley's plays. The two decide to write musicals together. They meet Mary, who is a student at Barnard and lives in the same building. She is roommates with Evelyn.

The show transitions to 1955, Frank and Charley's graduation (The Hills of Tomorrow) where Frank is valedictorian.

Cast Album

Merrily We Roll Along had a cast album recorded in November 1981. It was produced by Thomas Z. Shepard. The cast album contains a song cut from the Broadway run, It's a Hit!

Notes

^timeline refers to mathematical errors within the canonical timeline.