Film Version of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG to Open Ware Center's Winter/Spring Film Series, 2/3

The film version of "Merrily We Roll Along" was captured live during one of the final and very emotional performances at the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre in London It followed a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It is now available in a very limited release only until the end of this month. The Ware Center has chosen this unique and rarely-seen musical to kick-off its popular Film Series.

The film will be screened only once on Monday, February 3rd at 7 PM at the Ware Center, 42 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA. The film is being shown on the big screen at the Ware Center in high definition and high-fidelity surround sound. Also, the films which will make up the Winter/Spring Season of the Series will be announced at the top of the program. The list includes foreign, independent, animated and documentaries that are also Academy Award nominees & Festival Award Winners.

This production of "Merrily We Roll Along" was hailed as "hugely witty, tunefully inventive and brightly entertaining," by the Daily Telegraph and "one of the great musical productions of this or any era," by the Independent.

Triple Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman makes her thrilling directorial debut with this vibrant, full scale production. Maria Friedman is one of Britain's leading musical stars. She has starred in many West End shows and also on Broadway, including musical hits such as Chicago, Passion, The Woman in White, Ragtime and the National Theatre productions of Lady in the Dark also Sondheim shows: Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the forum, Follies A Little Night Music, Passion, and others.

The cast is led by Mark Umbers, Jenna Russell and Damian Humbley. Umbers has appeared in numerous TV series, films and shows in the West End. After his appearance in "My Fair Lady" in London, the Evening Standard claimed he was "known throughout the western world as the most beautiful man ever seen". Jenna Russell is a well-known stage and musical actress, who was known on this side of the Atlantic as being a nominee for the 2008 Tony Award (New York City) for Actress in a Musical for "Sunday in the Park with George". Australian-born Damian Humbley is best known in London as a stage actor who has appeared in Sondheim's "Company" and Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals.

Set over three decades in the entertainment business, "Merrily We Roll Along" charts the relationship between three close friends Franklin, Mary and Charley. Traveling backwards in time, this powerful and moving story features some of Sondheim's most beautiful and most recorded songs including "Good Think Going," "Not a Day Goes By," and "Old Friends."

Even Sondheim who is known for his cynicism praised the production by saying, "This production of 'Merrily We Roll Along' is not only the best I've seen, but one of those rare instances where casting, direction and show come together in perfect combination, resulting in the classic ideal of the sum being greater than the parts."

In addition to Millersville University, the Ware Center Film Series is sponsored by Rodgers & Associates, Ann B. Barshinger, Mary S. Burton & Laurent Horne, Carmen & David's Creamery, Fine Living Lancaster Magazine, Hagelgans & Veronis, Dr. Mary Kearns & Dr. Jon Walker, and Peggy Neff.

Tickets: Adults $7 | Seniors & Students $5. Reserve Tickets by phone at 717.872.3811 or 717.871.2308, online at artsmu.com, or in person at Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Street, downtown Lancaster or the SMC building on MU campus. The Box Office is open Mon-Fri from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Tickets are also go on sale at the Winter Center at 6:30 PM, Saturday, Feb. 1.

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