Director Lonny Price Is Coming To The Staples Stage

Staples Players is thrilled to announce that Lonny Price will take the stage for a talkback after the March 23rd performance of "Merrily We Roll Along" at Staples Auditorium. All audience members at the 7:30 pm show are welcome to stay and enjoy insight from this Broadway icon.

In addition to creating the role of Charley Kringas in the original Broadway cast of "Merrily We Roll Along," Mr. Price directed Glenn Close in "Sunset Boulevard," Audra McDonald in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" and "110 in the Shade," Danny Glover in "'Master Harold' ... and the Boys," among other Broadway and West End credits. He also directed the stage and film version of "Sondheim: The Birthday Concert!," for which he won an Emmy. His collaborations with the New York Philharmonic include the Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts of "Camelot," "Candide," and "Sweeney Todd" (which earned him another Emmy, as did his production of "Sondheim's Passion").

Price's documentary "Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" draws back the curtain on the creation of "Merrily We Roll Along" and tells the stories of the hopeful young actors whose lives were transformed by it. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival and was named one of New York Times' Top 10 Films of 2016.

"My friend Andrew Wilk has touted the extremely high quality of the Staples Players productions for a while now," said Price. "He has excellent taste, so when he asked me to check out their production of Merrily, I became eager to see their take on a show that has meant so much in my life for the last thirty-seven years!" Westport resident Andrew Wilk, Executive Producer of Live From Lincoln Center, helped arrange the talkback.

Directors David Roth and Kerry Long consider Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along" one of their all-time favorite shows and look forward to delving into the powerful story and dramatic history of this musical with Mr. Price.

Audience members are encouraged to watch "Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" on Netflix to get the most out of this unique opportunity.

Staples Players Presents Merrily We Roll Along

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by George Furth

Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

Merrily We Roll Along is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Directors David Roth and Kerry Long

Music Director Luke Rosenberg

Choreographers Rachel MacIsaac & Christopher Hudson Myers

Set Designer Anthony Freitas

Technical Director Peter DiFranco

Costume Designer Susan Kobylinski

Performance Schedule

Friday and Saturday Evenings: March 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 7:30 pm

Sunday Matinee: March 18 at 3:00 pm

Performance Location

Staples High School Auditorium

70 North Avenue

Westport, CT 06880

Tickets

$15 for adults, $10 for students, $10 for seniors (matinee only)

Tickets may be purchased online at StaplesPlayers.com or in the lobby 30 minutes prior to performances, subject to availability.

Run time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

Recommended for ages 8+.

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