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| Merrily last night | |
| Posted by: BillEadie 10:02 am EST 02/16/19 | |
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| I think I found what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been looking for a production of Merrily We Roll Along that isn’t seriously hampered by its book, that allows the three principal characters to be at least somewhat sympathetic, and gives Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant score its due. And, that’s what Fiasco Theater’s production seems to achieve Fiasco uses six performers, four company members and two others, to tell the story of three flawed, very human, people who meet and become friends at the dawn of a new era - and who do their best to remain friends through thick and thin. Much of what tugs at the friendship is fame and fortune, and while each pursues in a different way, with varying degrees of success, each also has difficulty dealing with how the other two are managing their lives. The performers evoke both the zest for “conquering the world” and the pain created when the world pushes back. And, the audience stays with these folks on their - backward - journey, mainly because the creators have trimmed the book to its bare minimum (though, with an added scene from the Kaufman and Hart original). This trimming allows the glorious score to come to the forefront, instead of supporting the book. What’s gone is not missed, and places that have bogged down in other productions I’ve seen sparkle here (“It’s a Hit,” I’m looking at you). Even “The Blob,” a song I’ve always considered to be a mess, benefits by the small cast treatment (why is a spoiler that I shall not disclose). The one problem that isn’t solved to my satisfaction is what to do with Gussie. Company member Emily Young plays her as a charming but brittle and manipulative villain, and as long as there’s only one of those in the show I think I’m ok with that. I’d like to see Gussie have some redeeming qualities, but perhaps that wish can’t be fulfilled. Initially, this production has a limited run. I’d love to see it find a place to play where more people can see it. Hell, I’d love for this version of Merrily to become the version that is produced going forward. Bill, glad not to be in the storm in San Diego |
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| re: Merrily last night | |
| Posted by: Billhaven 04:10 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: Merrily last night - BillEadie 10:02 am EST 02/16/19 | |
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| Spoiler: for me the biggest improvement is the setting and reimagining of”Now You Know”. It is a real acted scene that starts very great sensitivity and builds with Mary’s tough love sentiments. | |
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| how would you rate the singing of this glorious score? n/m | |
| Posted by: manchurch03104 01:09 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: Merrily last night - BillEadie 10:02 am EST 02/16/19 | |
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| n/m | |
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| what's the best musical number? | |
| Posted by: pookndale 04:42 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: how would you rate the singing of this glorious score? n/m - manchurch03104 01:09 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
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| In the original, I thought Old Friends was strongest number. In the York (I know this sounds crazy, but you had to be there), Bobby and Jackie and Jack brought down the house. What's the musical highlight of the Roundabout? Thanks. | |
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| re: how would you rate the singing of this glorious score? n/m | |
| Posted by: BillEadie 01:28 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: how would you rate the singing of this glorious score? n/m - manchurch03104 01:09 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
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| These folks are actors who sing, rather than the other way ‘round. Bill |
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| And that’s absolutely as Sondheim prefers... | |
| Last Edit: Leon_W 03:39 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| Posted by: Leon_W 03:37 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: re: how would you rate the singing of this glorious score? n/m - BillEadie 01:28 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
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| I was at a National Theater interview between Sondheim and journalist Mark Shenton a few years ago and someone in the audience asking a question was quite scathing about the vocals on the Bounce recording. Sondheim mentioned he prefers someone that acts to sing his songs and convey the lyrics rather than a perfect singer trying to act the role. Of course sometimes you get both but I guess he was pushing back on the rudeness of the audience member a little I thought at the time. | |
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| re: And that’s absolutely as Sondheim prefers... | |
| Posted by: SCH 08:35 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: And that’s absolutely as Sondheim prefers... - Leon_W 03:37 pm EST 02/16/19 | |
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| He may have been reacting to the rudeness of the questioner in the way he responded, but the sentiment is one that he has expressed on multiple occasions. He's definitely gone on record as saying that he prefers that actors who sing perform his material over singers who act. | |
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| re: Merrily last night | |
| Posted by: Duke1979 10:11 am EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: Merrily last night - BillEadie 10:02 am EST 02/16/19 | |
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| Thanks for the report. Wondering how different this is from the successful London version. Caught one of those original 16 prtformances in 1981. While the show was a mess we knew we were hearing an indelible score that was confirmed when the album was released. I don’t fault the book so much as Prince never really had a vision for the piece-the factor that made all of his other shows with Sondheim so amazing. | |
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| re: Merrily last night | |
| Posted by: Ann 10:14 am EST 02/16/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Merrily last night - Duke1979 10:11 am EST 02/16/19 | |
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| This version is very different from the recent London production, and much better, I think (and I liked the London production in person, not so much on the screen). This less-literal staging works very well for me. Still not a perfect show - but that score allows a lot of forgiveness. | |
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