Broadway has returned from the stage to the screen with Stephen Sondheim’s recent huge 2023 hit musical, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. The entire production was filmed with all of the original actors at the Hudson Theatre in June, 2024.
The Broadway production won four Tonys that same year for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, (Jonathan Groff) Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, (Daniel Radcliffe) and Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick). Not bad for Sondheim’s biggest flops when it made its debut in 1981. This new, reimagined version added another brilliant notch to Sondheim’s vast resume.
The director, Maria Friedman, (TINSEL TOWN, A DOLL‘S HOUSE) infused new life into MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG with creative staging, a lightning-fast pacing, and gathering the perfect cast to showcase outstanding performances. The story invites audiences to travel backwards in time over the course of twenty years to discover and explore the intercepting point of three, unique people who meet by chance and quickly become entwined as THREE OLD FRIENDS. “Here’s to us. Who’s like us? Damn few.” Frank, (Groff) Charlie (Radcliffe) and Mary (Lindsey Mendez) make it look easy singing the intricate lyrics and melodies always found in a Sondheim play. They were able to deliver every line and phrasing with impeccable timing and expression. I am in awe of their acting skills and voices.
HOW DID YOU GET TO BE HERE? seems to be the key plot question. “What was the moment?” Sondheim is a genius at creating a highly emotional journey that is often not a happily ever after story. The characters were authentically played while exposing every human flaw possible. “Saying yes when you really mean no.” Audiences were jostled from one moment to the next while being privy to every wrong turn, misspoken word, and action, yet it magnificently allows for big laughs and gut-wrenching emotional arcs. It is how we merrily roll along when no one is being watchful, and no one has the willpower to stop or slow it down until the final outcome unfolds. Bravo.
The characters, Gussie and Beth, complete the core cast. They are phenomenal actors along with every other ensemble member who take on multiple roles as well as providing the chorus and dance routines. Every second is tight, witty, sharp, fresh, and feels oh,so honest. The words sung and spoken land powerful, bullseye bullets of truths. At times it feels like being hit with rapid, machine gun fire. In this area again, I was totally mesmerized and blown-away by Groff, Radcliffe, and Mendez.
My only criticism of watching a Broadway show on a television screen is that audiences are at the mercy of where the cameraman point the lens. Do we need that many close-ups? Is it necessary to pause so long on each facial expression? There is so much going on behind and around the lead actors at any given moment. We were missing all of that. It was not the same thing as witnessing live theatre before our eyes. It was limiting annoying, but I am appreciative to be able to see Broadway‘s finest whenever it is possible. I also miss seeing the curtain call. I was not a fan of how the credits rolled at the end and all the silly, cast pics flashing while hearing the loud, thunderous applause.
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is a kick. It might not feature songs audiences will be humming when they leave, but it will touch everyone’s heart with stellar, unforgettable truisms about dreams, waiting, and life. It will hopefully teach all of us to make better choices while we can. “Pinky swear.” It is available to rent or buy on Netflix.
