Staples Players Presents MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Directors David Roth (SHS '84) and Kerry Long (SHS '97) bring back one of their all-time favorite shows to the Staples stage: Stephen Sondheim's semi-autobiographical "Merrily We Roll Along." With a brilliant "Broadway-style" score and the deep insight one expects from any Sondheim endeavor, the musical is a spirited and moving cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream. While not as well known as Sondheim's "Into the Woods," "Sweeney Todd," "Gypsy" or "West Side Story" (lyrics), "Merrily" wins its viewers hearts as readily. In addition to the challenges of intense material and Sondheim's complex music, the teenage cast rolls merrily-and dramatically-along in reverse chronology. There is no doubt that they and the audiences that join them, from March 16 - 24, will learn a lot along the way.

"Merrily We Roll Along" tells the story of Franklin Shepard, a wealthy, jaded composer, and his estranged friends, Charley and Mary-tracking their personal and professional highs and lows backwards in time to when they were wide-eyed pals, a talented trio just embarking on their careers, bonded by big hopes and dreams. The show opened on Broadway with a cast not far off in age from the Players back in 1981 and closed after only 16 performances (and 52 previews), crushing more than a few hearts and dreams, Sondheim's included. He and director Harold Prince, a duo with a Midas touch until then, never worked together again. (The 2016 documentary, "The Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened," gives an inside view of what went wrong and what happened to the cast members after their short-lived big break.) But "Merrily" was revamped through the years and ultimately became a hit on the West End and a Sondheim-fan favorite.

"I think that Merrily is one of those shows that has improved with age," said Roth. "Like many other Sondheim shows, 'Merrily' was produced 'before its time' and it resonates with audiences much more now." Long commented, "When we produced this show in 2003, it was very interesting to hear audience responses. We know of more than one person who made major changes in their careers as a result of seeing the show."

The 2003 Players show starred Justin Paul as composer Franklin Shepard and publicity photos featured Paul and cast mates posed in front of the Music Box Theatre in New York-the venue where Justin Paul and Benj Pasek's smash hit "Dear Evan Hansen" is now playing. "The first page of the new 'Dear Evan Hansen' book starts with a quote from 'Merrily' and then tells how Justin and Benj first bonded at the University of Michigan over their love for this show," said Roth. "The kids have been enthralled thinking about the 18-year-old Justin playing a character who is accepting his Tony Award or moving to Hollywood over a decade before these things happened to him in his real life." Nick Rossi (SHS '19), who plays Franklin Shepard, commented, "Justin's success in the theater industry is inspiring, and I am truly humbled to think that I am following in his footsteps." Anyone who saw Rossi as Jack Kelly, the lead in "Newsies," will be eager to see his portrayal of this more complex character across several decades.

While the storyline moves back in time, Roth said, "We actually began staging at the end of the show (when the characters are at their youngest, just starting out). This allowed our cast to better understand the arc of the characters." Avery Mendillo (SHS '18), who plays Mary Flynn, commented, "I think the hardest part about Mary is going back in time and changing from a drunk and sad woman into an open minded, young lady. She is overall a very complicated character."

Charlie Zuckerman (SHS '18), who plays Charley Kringas (and was also a stellar Jack Kelly in "Newsies" last fall), said: "The last scene in the show hits me the hardest. We have seen these characters grow and eventually fall apart, but this is where they all began. Being a senior, I am at the same point in my life as the characters are, I have my whole life ahead of me and many decisions that will possibly affect the rest of my life."

Mia Kobylinski (SHS '19) shares the role of Beth with her best friend Jillian Gault (SHS '18): "My favorite aspect of the show is how close in real life so many of us are and having those relationships off stage makes performing together so much fun. The number 'It's a Hit' leaves us all genuinely laughing on stage." She added, "I think the lessons that become clear throughout the show are valuable for everyone and anyone."

Players is a family affair for the Kobylinskis. Mia's mother, Susan Kobylinski, has been the costume designer for the past three years. With 40 cast members and 175 costume changes, "Merrily" proved as labor intensive as Players' bigger fall productions. "Since this show takes the audience backwards from 1977 to 1957, with each scene jumping several years or even into a new decade, it was crucial to nail the costumes in order to bring the audience visually along such a large timeline," explained Susan. "I hope that anyone who has lived during the 60's and 70's will identify with the style and attitude, conjuring up warm memories, and for all those who did not, I think they will just love the colors and energy that the clothes bring to the actors and stage."

The fashion retrospective is a nice complement to the heavier themes the actors will explore. "This show definitely makes you stop and assess the choices that you are making in life," said Long. "Am I happy? Am I doing something that fulfills me? How have my decisions affected the people that I love and value? In a time when our society is so focused on fame and fortune, 'Merrily' very much shows the sacrifices that are often made in order to achieve such 'success.'"

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

Ticket Prices

$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+.