Critics are sharing their thoughts on Merrily We Roll Along at Off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop, where it opened December 12. Tony nominee Jonathan Groff (Hamilton), Tony winner Lindsay Mendez (Carousel), and Daniel Radcliffe (The Lifespan of a Fact) star in the extended run, which began previews November 21 and will play through January 21.
Groff, Mendez, and Radcliffe lead the cast as three friends: composer Franklin Shepard, writer Mary, and playwright-lyricist Charley, respectively. Their relationships with each other are explored across three decades in reverse chronological order in the musical which features a book by George Furth, adapted from the George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play of the same name, and a score by Stephen Sondheim. The score features such favorites as "Old Friends," "Now You Know," "Franklin Shepard, Inc.," "Good Thing Going," and "Not a Day Goes By."
Read the reviews here.
The Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones)*
CitiTourNYC (Brian Scott Lipton)
The Hollywood Reporter (David Rooney)
New York Magazine/Vulture (Jackson McHenry)*
New York Post (Johnny Oleksinski)
New York Stage Review (Melissa Rose Bernardo, Steven Suskin)
New York Theatre Guide (Joe Dziemianowicz)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)*
Theater Pizzazz (Carole Di Tosti)
The Washington Post (Peter Marks)
*This review requires creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Rounding out the cast are Sherz Aletaha (Man of La Mancha) as Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Auditionee, Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton) as Gussie, Katie Rose Clarke (Wicked) as Beth, Leana Rae Concepcion (Comfort Women) as Newscaster/Waitress/Auditionee, Carter Harris (Only Murders in the Building) and Colin Keane (Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin) alternating as Frank Jr., Corey Mach (Kinky Boots) as Tyler/Make-Up Artist, Talia Robinson (Dear Evan Hansen) as Meg, Reg Rogers (Tootsie) as Joe, Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Baby) as Dory/Evelyn, Brian Sears (The Book of Mormon) as Photographer/Bunker, Christian Strange (The Butcher Boy) as RU/Newscaster/Reverend, Vishal Vaidya (Love Life) as Jerome, Natalie Wachen (RENT) as KT, and Jacob Keith Watson (Carousel) as Terry/Mr. Spencer.
Also featured in the company are swings Morgan Kirner (Hello, Dolly!), Amanda Rose (Dear Jane), Evan Alexander Smith (Little Shop of Horrors), and Koray Tarhan (A Christmas Carol).
Four-time Olivier winner Maria Friedman directs the production, which features choreography by Tim Jackson (Stepping Out), music supervision by Catherine Jayes (The Color Purple), music direction by Alvin Hough, Jr. (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical), scenic and costume design by Soutra Gilmour (& Juliet), lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker (The Lucky Ones), sound design by Kai Harada (Mr. Saturday Night), and fight and intimacy direction by Dave Anzuelo (The Great Society). Casting is by Jim Carnahan and Jason Thinger, with additional casting by Taylor Williams. Jhanaë K-C Bonnick (Slave Play) serves as stage manager.
Friedman first staged this production at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013 prior to its transfer to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre, where it won the Olivier for Best Musical. Following its London success, the production had a 2017 run at Boston's Huntington Theatre. The revival is presented by special arrangement with Sonia Friedman Productions, Menier Chocolate Factory, and Patrick Catullo.
Merrily We Roll Along marks Radcliffe's first return to Off-Broadway theatre since performing in Privacy at The Public in 2016.
For tickets and more information, visit NYTW.org.
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