"Merrily We Roll Along," the show that bombed on Broadway in 1981 but roared back four decades later as a smash hit, makes its Zoetic Stage debut this weekend. South Florida audiences will now have the chance to judge the Stephen Sondheim musical for themselves.
The multiple Tony award-winning musical is the latest Sondheim production from Zoetic co-founder and artistic director Stuart Melzer, who is fulfilling his pledge to try and produce a Sondheim musical annually –or at least as often as possible.
Alex Jorth, John Reed and Joline Mujica, starring as the three friends in "Merrily We Roll Along." (Photo courtesy of Morgan Sophia)
“Stephen Sondheim is part of my DNA. His taught me how to tell stories, and I am particularly attached to this one,” says Melzer.
According to Melzer, he first heard the original cast recording many decades ago, as a 19 year-old volunteering on a kibbutz in Israel.
“There was a young woman who was also there, and she gave me three cassettes of Sondheim musicals: ‘Merrily We Roll Along,' ‘Into the Woods' and ‘Sunday in the Park with George.' I was floored,” he recalls.
Still, he understands that Broadway audiences back then might have had a hard time with "Merrily"; the show, for the time, was a rule breaker as told a non-chronological story. It opened to widely negative reviews, and closed after 16 performances and 44 previews.
It is also a difficult show to stage says Meltzer.
Director Stuart Meltzer Discussing the show with cast members of "Merrily We Roll Along" during rehearsal ahead of the production at Zoetic Stage. (Photo by Alexandria Medina)
“Since it's a non-linear story, the actors have to play themselves at different ages. It goes backwards in time and it's very challenging,” he says.
Adding to Melzer’s challenge, when the musical returned to Broadway in 2023 it was a huge hit—so much so that the final performance was captured on film. Until recently, it was playing in movie theaters across South Florida, meaning many potential audience members have already had the opportunity to see it.
But, as Melzer often does, he reworked the show to fit his own vision, hoping to offer audiences something fresh.“The story is the same, the music is the same, but my challenge is to reimagine it and bring something new to it. And that's the thrill of it,” he says.
The story revolves around three principal characters; Frank Shepard and his two friends, Charlie Klingas and Mary Flynn.
Alex Jorth, John Reed and Joline Mujica, Zoetic Stage's production of "Merrily We Roll Along." (Photo courtesy of Morgan Sophia)
South Florida-based actor and Carbonell award-winning choreographer, Alex Jorth plays Shepard, New York City-based actor, dancer, singer and writer John Reed plays Klingas, and Joline Mujica plays Mary Flynn.
The rest of the all-local cast features award-winning actors from across South Florida, some who are familiar to Zoetic Stage. They include Leah Sessa, Lindsey Corey, Justin Packard, Sara Grant, Irene Adjan, Wayne LeGette, Joel Rodriguez, and Kalen Edean.
The plot revolves around Shepard, a famous songwriter and film producer, and his relationships with his two friends. Moving backwards across 20 years, the show details his rise from a penniless dreamy-eyed composer to a wealthy film-producing sell-out, and details what he lost to get there.
For his part, Jorth is excited about appearing on Zoetic Stage.
“I'm absolutely thrilled," Jorth says. "Zoetic Stage has such a wonderful reputation, especially for doing Sondheim, and this is one of my Sondheim favorites.”
But, he explains that taking on the show comes with its own set of challenges.
"Merrily We Roll Along" cast members Justin Packard, Joel Rodriguez and Leah Sessa going over the script. (Photo by Alexandria Medina)
"The timeline begins in reverse so you have to step into the show right at the end, and make sure it's a clear contrast to where we are heading. Also, you have to keep the information clear-you have to remember what the character would know, and what the audience already knows. And, as for the music – well, it's Sondheim, so it's not easy wrapping my mouth around the all the songs. It's not daunting, necessarily, but it is going to pay off.”
Although the story is a familiar one, it's tricky to do.
“At face value, this is the story of a guy that gets off track, sells out, and forgets where he came from. And we've all heard that before. But, because of its structure, the journey that Frank goes on, and the choices he makes, are compelling. We see how these choices affect both him and his friends, and, well, how if you just let things roll along, there are real dangers you can get caught up in.”
It also tells a story that is very relatable which especially resonates with him now that he is 40, the same age his character is when the play opens.
“When you're young, you view the world as your oyster. You have nothing but dreams, nothing to lose, but live happens, friendships evolve and change, and you make choices. And those choices have consequences,” he notes.
Despite the role's challenges Jorth says, “This is an absolutely dream role, and it's an absolutely pleasure to swing at it. I'm grateful for it, I'm scared of it, and I can't wait everyone to see the show.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Zoetic Stage's production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
WHEN: Friday, March 13 through Sunday, April 5.
WHERE: Carnival Studio Theater, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Blvd.
TICKETS: $67
INFORMATION: Visit www.arshtcenter.org. or (305) 949-5722.
