Merrily We Roll Along

Murphy Hall, Crafton-Preyer Theatre

Book by George Furth, lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim Based on a 1934 play by Kaufman and Hart, Furth and Sondheim updated this theatrical morality play about the meaning of friendship by taking a look at the myth of the American Dream and the real costs of truth, honesty and friendship. Beginning in the present and moving backwards, the story follows the career of a successful movie producer from to his humble beginnings as an idealistic and youthful songwriter who, with his best friends, sets out to shake up Broadway and change the world. As the years go by, the trio each become very successful professionally, but drift apart as friends. The musical cautions us to reflect on the truth behind the cliché that history repeats itself as the characters move from affluence to destitution at various stages of their careers. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 2001, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Sondheim’s most lyrical songs such as Not a Day Goes By, Good Thing Going, Old Friends, and Our Time.