Merrily We Roll Along 1934

Opened: September 29, 1934

Merrily We Roll Along - 1934 - Broadway History , Info & More

Music Box Theatre (Broadway)
239 West 45th St. New York, NY

Merrily We Roll Along isn't your typical musical. With a unique backward chronology, it tells the story of Franklin Shepard, a once-promising composer, and his two lifelong friends, lyricist Charley Kringas and writer Mary Flynn. The show starts with a jaded Franklin in 1976, surrounded by superficiality and disillusionment.



We then embark on a poignant journey backwards in time. Each scene peels back a layer, revealing a key moment in their friendship and careers. We witness their youthful idealism, their struggles and triumphs as they chase their dreams in the vibrant world of New York theater. The songs, filled with Stephen Sondheim's signature wit and emotional depth, capture the joys and heartbreaks of their journey. Merrily We Roll Along is a bittersweet exploration of friendship, ambition, and the price of success, leaving a lasting impression with its unconventional storytelling and powerful music.

Get Merrily We Roll Along Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Review: BETRAYAL at Irish Classical Theatre
by Michael Rabice - Mar 4, 2024


Eavesdropping, snooping or just morbid curiosity seemed to be the scene set in Harold Pinter's play BETRAYAL now playing in a riveting production at Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre. The playgoer sits on the sidelines, witnessing a deeply personal story of three  broken people, best kept behind closed doors.  

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG on Broadway- A Complete Guide
by Sidney Paterra - Oct 20, 2023


Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway. Check out all the details here!

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG: A [Backwards] History of Old Friends
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 4, 2023


Go inside the complete history of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Merrily We Roll Along, playing at Broadway's Hudson Theatre now!

Review: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, Southwark Playhouse Elephant
by Louise Penn - Aug 25, 2023


In this musical, Franklin Shepard's pursuit of fame and money unbalances his personal and professional life, and those around him. No one is happy in this harsh expose of the backstage reality behind 'putting on a show', which makes closing number 'Our Time' the most devastating moment of the production.

Jason Alexander on Stage: A Look Back at the Actor's Theatrical Roles
by Stephi Wild - Jul 22, 2023


Tony Award winner Jason Alexander is making his Broadway directorial debut with The Cottage, which is now playing on Broadway. While Alexander may be best known for his roles on screen, including Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, and more, he also has a longstanding history with the stage!

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG At Southwark Playhouse Leads NYMT Season Of Summer Musicals
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2023


This summer, National Youth Music Theatre will present three major musicals. Learn more about the full lineup here!

Honey West to Host NEW FACES SING BROADWAY 1984 at Porchlight Music Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2023


Porchlight Music Theatre will present New Faces Sing Broadway 1984, hosted by Honey West, directed by Tommy Novak with music direction and arrangements by Micky York.

Cast Announced for MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at 42nd Street Moon
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 8, 2023


San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon has announced the full cast and creative team for MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, which features a book by George Furth and music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Cast Announced for ANYTHING GOES at 42nd Street Moon
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 27, 2023


 San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon has announced the full cast and creative team for Cole Porter’s ANYTHING GOES, which launches the Company’s 2023 Mainstage Season.

Which Shows Have Had the Most Broadway Debuts?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Dec 26, 2022


In the latest edition of Jennifer Ashley Tepper's Broadway Deep Dive, we find out which shows have had the most Broadway debuts. Find out what made the list!

Broadway's David Girolmo to Host NEW FACES SING BROADWAY 1951 at Porchlight Music Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 15, 2022


Porchlight Music Theatre has announced the latest offering in its 2022 - 2023 season, New Faces Sing Broadway 1951, hosted by multi-award winner and Broadway veteran David Girolmo, directed by David Fiorello with music direction and arrangements by Dr. Michael McBride.

Barbara Warner Howard, Founding Member of New York Theatre Workshop, Passes Away
by Team BWW - Nov 15, 2022


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Barbara Leah Warner Howard died on November 9, 2022, peacefully at home while listening to Ella Fitzgerald, surrounded by family and friends. 

Video: Watch the Official Trailer for MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at Theater Latté Da
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 4, 2022


Theater Latté Da is presenting MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, the cult classic with music and lyrics by the acclaimed composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG will run September 24 - October 30, 2022 at the Ritz Theater. Watch the official trailer here!

Theater Latté Da Announces Cast For Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2022


Theater Latté Da (Peter Rothstein, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Managing Director) has announced the cast of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, the cult classic with music and lyrics by the acclaimed composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth.

BWW REVIEW: Friendships And A Focus On Honest Art Lose Out To Fame And Fortune in Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.
by Jade Kops - Oct 29, 2021


The challenge of staying friends as people grow and ambitions evolve is analyzed with mid century modern clarity in Dean Bryant’s production of Stephen Sondheim (Music and lyrics) and George Furth’s (Book) MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. 

Jason Alexander, Lonny Price, Jim Walton, and Ann Morrisson to Reunite for MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Episode of STARS IN THE HOUSE
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - Sep 9, 2021


Seth and James will be joined by Jim Walton, Lonny Price, Ann Morrison, and Jason Alexander to reminisce and raise money for The Actors Fund, which already includes a $2,500 matching donation from The Angie Torres Charitable Trust.

Theater Stories: DEAR EVAN HANSEN, PIPPIN and More About The Music Box Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 10, 2021


This week's Theater Stories features the Music Box Theatre! Learn about the shows to have graced the theater's stage including August: Osage County, the lauded revival of Pippin, Dear Evan Hansen and much more!

Theater Stories: Ethel Merman's Broadway Debut, Stephen Sondheim Classics and More About The Neil Simon Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 29, 2020


In this week's Theater Stories, we are learning about the Neil Simon Theatre! Learn about who Neil Simon was, what the theater was originally named, which Broadway stars made their debuts there, and more!

Ben Platt Talks Broadway Return, MERRILY, DEAR EVAN HANSEN Film and More
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 7, 2020


In a new interview with Deadline, Tony Award-winner Ben Platt has revealed updates on a few of his many upcoming projects, including his 'hankering' to return to Broadway following the pandemic.

The 101 Greatest Showtunes from 1920-2020
by Peter Nason - Mar 19, 2020


How do we make a list of the 101 greatest show tunes from the past 100 years? Well, we did the near-impossible task.  Check out our full list here! 

VIDEO: First Look at 42nd Street Moon's A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
by Stephi Wild - Feb 29, 2020


San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon presents its first production of 2020, the critically-acclaimed Tony Award-winning a?oeBest Musicala?? A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Based on a novel by Roy Horniman, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER features a book & lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, and music & lyrics by Steven Lutvak. 42nd Street Moon's production will be directed by Daren A.C. Carollo, with music direction by Daniel Thomas and choreography by Christina Lazo. A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER runs from February 26 a?" March 15, 2020 and will perform at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre (215 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94111). The press opening will take place on Saturday, February 29 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $31 - $72 and can be purchased through the Box Office at (415) 255-8207 or online at www.42ndstmoon.org.

42nd Street Moon Presents A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2020


San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) has announced the full cast and creative team for the Company's first production of 2020, the critically-acclaimed Tony Award-winning 'Best Musical' A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.

Emily Skinner Will be Featured at 42nd Street Moon's COME TO THE MOON Gala Fundraiser
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2020


San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors), currently celebrating its 27th Anniversary in continuous operation, has announced that the Company's 2020 Gala Fundraiser, COME TO THE MOON, will take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts (3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123).

42nd Street Moon Announces Cast And Creative Team For THE MISTLETONES
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 2, 2019


San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon (Daren A.C. Carollo and Daniel Thomas, Co-Executive Directors) is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for a special holiday production: the Bay Area premiere of the hilarious comedy singing group, THE MISTLETONES. This quartet puts their own holiday twist on popular songs from the '50s to today and has been playing to sellout crowds throughout Southern California for the past decade.

VIDEO: Ben Platt Talks Getting Cast in Richard Linklater's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
by Kaitlin Milligan - Nov 13, 2019


Ben Platt was a guest on Tuesday's episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan. During the interview, Platt talks about getting cast in Richard Linklater's adaptation of 'Merrily We Roll Along' which will be filmed over the next 18 years.

Merrily We Roll Along FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Merrily We Roll Along have there been?
Merrily We Roll Along has had 1 productions including Broadway which opened in 1934.

Videos