When Director Roy Hammond got the rights for Merrily We Roll Along in 2019, little did he know a pandemic and some Broadway wizardry would interfere. But it’s up! And it’s amazing! This 1981 musical covers the trials and tribulations of three artistic friends … backwards … starting with their ultimate breakup and ending with the hopeful youths staring up on a roof in October 1957. Being Sondheim, you’ll be hard pressed to whistle a melody on the way home, but your toes will be tapping throughout.
Conductor Joe Biddle leads a ten(!) piece live orchestra that fills Greenbelt Arts Center’s entire backstage. The orchestra was amazing, they really pulled the play together and every character was strengthened by the music. Particular kudos for the songs “Opening Doors”, “Franklin Shephard, Inc.”, and “Old Friends”.
The cast has some wonderful singers. Daniel Fleming (as Charley Kringas) has an impressive vocal range with his pleasing baritone voice, Natasha Scott (as Scotty and others) has a distinctive voice that knocks it out of the park uniting the higher pitches, while Mathew Gray (as Jerome) unites the lows and gets some good solo line jokes. Joani Calles (as Beth Spencer) demonstrates her prowess in the songs she spotlights. Jim Adams (as Joe Josephson) gets one of the best solos in the musical just for the performance alone.
The whole cast is impressive, they all went above and beyond having fun with their portrayal of the characters. Every single actor brings something to their character – humor, snide, appraisal, envy, sympathy, sincerity, and most of all, personality. Joey Rolandelli plays the waiter with poise and patience despite the chaos and drama of the rest of the scene. The script saddles the character of Gussie Carnegie with multiple unflattering female stereotypes, but Liz Mulligan shows amazing conviction in such a vile role. Alan Barnett did wonderfully as the Cameraman, fully inhabiting his own B-plot without taking away from the main action. Penni Barnett and Scott D. Farquhar, playing Beth’s traditionalist parents, are on brand for their roles, pulling a genuine emotional response out of the audience. Laura Leftwich had some of the best comedic moments as both the homeless person and pianist. Lastly Pamela Northrup (as Mary Flynn) got the most laughs per joke, or should I say wisecrack. The writing doesn’t always land, but the actors’ delivery does.
And there’s dancing too! Main protagonist Todd Zachwieja (in the role of Franklin Sheperd) is good across the board and his dancing gives him the stage. He also did fine work with conductor Biddle syncing with the orchestra at the piano on blind timing. Choreographer Rikki “Howie” Lacewell made a lot happen on the often-cramped stage, and the background rhubarbs and acting fill it well – the party scenes feel like a party!
Speaking of stage, the set design and costumes look stupendous. You can tell what a character’s like from their costume before they even say a line. Charlie Branch designed the lighting well, and the side walls projected bookmarks help you know when you are. The set is decked out visually, and there is a lot of it, but with quick transitions and costume changes, everything … rolls.
Running Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes including one intermission
Merrily We Roll Along plays through Saturday January 20th 2024 at Greenbelt Arts Center— 123 Centerway in downtown Greenbelt, MD. For tickets call the box office at 301-441-8770 or purchase them online.
