Merrily We Roll Along Analysis

The Ruth Page Center Of the Arts brought Broadway to Chicago as the Porchlight productions presented the musical Merrily We Roll Along, with book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This rendition was beautifully directed by Michael Weber, musically directed by Aaron Behnam and the musical staging was done by Christopher Pazdernik. This story about the talented composer Franklin Shephard, based on the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, leaves the audience entertained from beginning to finish. Merrily We Roll Along takes place in New York from 1957 to 1976 and depicts the career of a young man named, Franklin Shephard, a musical composer. The story is told backwards, through flashbacks of how his fame came to be, beginning with everyone both happily and begrudgingly celebrating Frank’s fortune. Next it transitions to New York Today a newscast discussing Frank and his “old friend” and lyricist, Charlie Kringer’s success. Charlie explains how Frank and him are not that close anymore because he cares more about the money. It continues to go further back and shows how fame got to Frank’s head and ruined many of his friendships and even his marriage. Lastly, it shows how he met Gussy a performer who helped him to gain fame and her husband, Joe who is a Broadway producer. As well as, how he …show more content…
One of the performances with the most memorable musical staging is the song “Opening Doors.” This scene is towards the end of the musical, and depicts Frank, Charlie, and Mary in the writing room singing about the first production they are going to have, how it is coming out soon, and how they do not even have a lead performer . Pressed for time, the three of them sit at their desks, writing on the typewriter and soon run around the room and rearrange the furniture. This is effective in the scene because it reflects the chaos and stress of their