Engadine Musical Society has been producing quality theatre for over 40 years. Recently, they have performed big Broadway shows such as Shrek, Wicked and Jersey Boys to sell out audiences.
This October, they are doing something a little different and daring to take on
Sondheim’s, Merrily We Roll Along.
The musical, written by legendary composer Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods, West Sideb Story), has improved with age; the show that flopped in 1981 is now receiving rave reviews on Broadway.
A cautionary tale about friendship, choice and change, the musical tells the story of
three friends (Frank, Charley and Mary) and how their lives, friendships, and dreams change over the course of 20 years.
What made the musical so unique in 1981 was that it is told in reverse-chronology. “I think in 1981 this would have been quite a jarring style of story-telling,” says Meg Day, director of this EMS’ production.
“But in 2023 audiences are very accustomed to following stories with atypical narrative structures. Films like Inception, Memento and musicals like The Last 5 Years have made
audiences more adept at following non-linear narratives.”
Day argues that the structure of Merrily We Roll Along is what the makes the show special.
“Typically the dramatic question will essentially be will the protagonist get to x point. Merrily is different in that it makes the audience ask how did these characters get here. It appeals to our inner gossip, but also allows us to reflect on how the choices of each character, however small,affect their future and relationships.”
In 1981 theatre critic Clive Barnes wrote, “Whatever you may have heard about [Merrily We Roll Along]—go and see it for yourselves. It is far too good a musical to be judged by those twin kangaroo courts of word of mouth and critical consensus.”
Merrily We Roll Along is a production that is full of things to love. Sondheim’s score is both clever and catchy, the script is full of laughter and heartbreak, and the characters that Day describes as hard not to love.
“No one character is perfect in this show, they all have their flaws but they also have their strengths and each one has something to love and admire about them.” EMS has assembled an talent-filled cast lead by Alexander Morgan as Frank, Stefan Jamal as Charley and Tanya Boyle as Mary.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have an amazing cast. I’m in awe at their skill and ability to portray these characters with the nuance required to make the audience love them like one of their own friends.”
Merrily We Roll Along is produced by Engadine Musical Society and will run at Engadine Community Centre for two weeks from October 20th-29th. Featuring a cast of 20 talented performers from across the Sutherland Shire, St George, and Illawarra regions, Merrily We Roll Along is one of those iconic shows that doesn’t roll around very often, so theatre-goers should not miss the opportunity to witness this seminal work, and Engadine Musical Society’s interpretation of it.
Production Credits:
• Director: Meg Day
• Musical Director: Clare Moroney
• Choreographer: Lauren Nalty
• Costume Design: Meredith Laverty
• Set Design: Darren Hutchinson and Meg Day
• Book by: George Furth
• Music and lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
• Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
• Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
The show will be presented at the Sutherland Arts Theatre, 25 E Parade, Sutherland.
Performance times include:
• Friday October 20 – 8pm
• Saturday October 21 – 2pm & 8pm
• Sunday October 22 – 2pm
• Wednesday October 25 – 8pm
• Friday October 27 – 8pm
• Saturday October 28 – 2pm & 8pm
• Sunday October 29 – 2pm
Tickets are available to purchase from $45 via Engadine Musical Society Website:
https://www.engadinemusicalsociety.com.au/
