Merrily We Roll Along 1985
Due to the massive amounts of script changes, Merrily 1985 is considered separate from Merrily 1981. This page is dedicated to the revisions that took place AND the originating production.
Merrily We Roll Along 1985 refers to the La Jolla playhouse reworking of the show that most modern day productions of Merrily are based on. The original production of the revision was directed by James Lapine.
Origin and History[edit | edit source]
There are multiple stories on how the revision came to be. one states that George Furth, dissatisfied with Hal Prince's directing, had seen a production of March of The Falsettos directed by James Lapine and sent him a tape of Merrily We Roll Along, asking him to direct a production, leading years later to the revision.[1] However, another account writes that Stephen Sondheim had seen a directed production of Merrily We Roll Along by James Lapine and asked him to revise the show, eventually convincing a very hesitant George Furth to modify the book[2]
Original Cast[edit | edit source]
Detailed Plot Synopsis[edit | edit source]
The show starts out at a party for Frank's new movie (That Frank.) Mary Flynn has been flown down to visit. Frank is having an affair with the movie's star, Gussie. Someone mentions seeing Charley's play, and a drunk Mary embarasses Frank, ends their friendship, and leaves. Gussie throws iodine in Meg's eyes.
The show transitions to 1973. Mary has set up and interview, which Frank is late to. She convinces Charley to stay (Old Friends/Like it Was). The interview goes disastrously (Franklin Shepard Inc.) and the two get into an altercation.
The show transitions to 1968. Frank has returned from a cruise and Mary and Charley have brought Frankie to see him. Frank reveals that he has gotten an option to do a movie version of Musical Husbands, which leads to a fight between him and Charley. (Old Friends.) Gussie shows up with Joe and reveals that she and Frank are still having an affair. Frank declines to go with Mary and Charley out, and Mary begins drinking. Charley tells Frank to stop his affair and then follows after Mary. Frank is frustrated by his friends and eventually Gussie comes back. (Growing up)
The show transitions to 1967. Frank and Beth are going through a divorce. Frank attempts to make Beth stay, which she doesn't (Not a Day Goes By) his friends rally around him and send him on a cruise (Now you Know)
The second act opens with Gussie performing in Musical Husbands. (Act Two opening/Good Thing Going) Evelyn has gone into labor and everyone is frantically trying to get to the hospital when the audience bursts into applause (It's a hit!) Beth and Charley go to the hospital while Frank stays to go to the after party and Mary warns Beth of Gussie. Frank joins Gussie that night.
The show transitions to 1963. Frank and Beth are at Gussie's party. (The blob) and run into Gussie. Frank and Gussie discuss their lives and Gussie asks Frank and Charley to write Musical Husbands, which he agrees to. Charley sings Good Thing Going, and then again where he is ignored by the crowd.
The show transitions to 1960. Frank, Charley, and Beth are performing in a musical revue, Frankly Frank (Bobby, Jackie, and Jack) which Gussie and Joe watch. Gussie is going through a divorce and is recently engaged to Joe, who has gotten her a name change and a nose job in order for her to be a more successful actress. Frank and Charley talk to Joe and accidentally reveal that Beth is pregnant. Frank and Beth get married (Not a Day Goes by)
The show transitions to 1959 where Frank, Charley, and Mary work through their careers, meeting Beth and starting Frankly Frank. (Opening Doors)
The show transitions to 1957. Frank and Charley are on the roof, discussing their lives and careers, Frank on a weekend pass from the military. They meet Mary. (Our time)