The story traces the devolution of friendship between virtuoso composer Franklin Shephard, his musical collaborator Charley Kringas, and theatre critic turned alcoholic Mary Flynn.
Max Middleton is brilliantly charismatic and aloof as the lead, Frank Shephard, and fakes playing the piano with impressive authenticity. His journey to success is told in reverse, beginning with the opening-night party for his new film in the 1970s, where Hollywood insiders and his sultry new mistress extol “That Frank.” Charley and Frank are no longer on speaking terms, and Mary and Frank barely so. We then move backwards through the years to trace how “he got to be here.” We see Frank push away his friends, his wife, and even his own musical talent in his ruthless pursuit of success. The show ends in the 1950s with the three young, dreamy-eyed friends watching the Sputnik pass overhead, painfully unaware of the toll life and success will take on their relationship. While the ending is not a comforting one, Merrily We Roll Along is a bittersweet reflection on the cost of fame and fortune.
Another standout performance is given by Elham Khosravipour, who plays Gussie, the glamorous but calculating Broadway star who lures Frank away from his marriage. She in turn betrays her adoring husband, emblematic of the show’s themes of compromise and moral decay. The entire cast are vocally accomplished. “Not a Day Goes By,” sung by Shephard’s ex-wife, is an especially moving vocal performance, while “Franklin Shephard Inc.,” performed sitting down, shows powerful control. There is also some impressive choreography. During the second act, the ensemble comes together to form “The Blob,” the circle of well-connected New Yorkers with a collective mind and movement. They perform a suave ‘noguing’ routine, which is perhaps the visual peak of the show.
While Merrily We Roll Along suffers from the challenges common to many student-led theatre productions, namely slight microphone issues and a brass section that could benefit from another rehearsal, overall it is a spirited reminder of the importance of friendship, and is enjoyably unapologetic in its classic musical cheesiness.
Merrily We Roll Along ran from 11 to 16 August at Sanctuary at Paradise in Augustines.
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Image courtesy of Andrew Morris, provided to The Student as press material.