Merrily We Roll Along
by San Pedro Playhouse

Aug. 04 - Aug. 20, 2023
Fridays-Sundays

Merrily We Roll Along is a cautionary tale of creatives pursuing their dreams in show business. It spotlights three friends and how the success of one of their career paths can overshadow their personal relationships. This Sondheim musical begins in the present and moves backwards, tracing the lives of wealthy, jaded composer, Franklin Shepard, and his two estranged friends through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends now at the start of their careers face a bright future: young, talented, and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered. The production  depicts some storyline of alcohol abuse.

 

 

From the creator of Broadway’s Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, Merrily We Roll Along is full of memorable hits like “Old Friends,” “Not a Day Goes by,” and “Good Thing Going.” The book is by George Furth with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and is based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.The creative team is led by Director Jenny Lavery, with music direction by Jaime Ramirez, and choreography by Tanesha Payne. The production also features a scenic design by architect firm Overland Partners Architects.

 

 

Director Jenny Lavery adds more about the vision and direction for the production: “In an increasingly isolated world, I’m excited to present Merrily We Roll Along to San Antonio audiences. In a story of intimate friendship and deep connection, we move backwards through time to reveal Frank, Mary, and Charley’s interior lives: their beginnings and their dreams. But, what are the costs to manifest your dreams? Merrily is a tale of relentless friendship, a celebration of those who show up time and time again. Bring your friends, bask in one of Sondheim’s most beautiful scores, and revel in the possibilities of true kinship.” 

Music Director Jaime Ramirez adds more about Sondheim’s score: “I can't think of a better way to cap off such a musically diverse and fulfilling season than with this American musical theatre classic. Merrily We Roll Along has long been on my bucket list of shows to do and I'm so excited to be music directing my first ever Sondheim here at The Public Theater. It's a special thing when the story, characters, and music all line up, and complement each other so seamlessly. There's not a wasted or extraneous note, and it's been such a joy unraveling the Sonhdiem’s genius of it all. I'm excited and proud to work with a strong cast, audio team, and group of top-notch musicians.” 

The cast includes TYLER GALINDO* as Franklin Shepard, ISIDRO MEDINA III as Charley Kringas, KAYLA HERNANDEZ FRIEND as Mary Flynn, REBEKAH WILLIAMS as Beth, JAEDEN RILEY JUAREZ as Meg Kincaid/Make-Up Artist/Ensemble, NICOLE REY PHOENIX as Gussie Carnegie/Ensemble, KURT ROBBINS as Joe Josephson/Ensemble, NERRYL WILLIAMS as Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Ensemble, EDWARD BURKLEY as Terry/Mr. Spencer/Ensemble, LARA WRIGHT as K.T./Ensemble, ALAIA ADRIANA as Dory/TV Newswomen/Ensemble, JOHN BERRING as Tyler/TV Newsman/Ensemble, JOHN PEREZ as Jerome/Ensemble, ANTONIO CRUZ as Ru/Photographer/Ensemble, and BRIANNA RESENDEZ as Bunker/Evelyn/Ensemble.  

The creative team includes JENNY LAVERY as Director, JAIME RAMIREZ as Music Director, TANESHA PAYNE as Choreographer, OVERLAND PARTNERS as Scenic Designer, CARLOS R. NINE as Lighting, Sound, and Projections Designer, and JENNY HANNA CHAMBERS as Costume Designer.

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

 

 

Overland Partners Architects will design the set for the upcoming production. The last time Overland Partners designed a set for the theater was in 2002 for another Stephen Sondheim production, A Little Night Music. Overland Partners is proud to support The Public Theater of San Antonio as a sponsor and set design consultant. Alisha Burkman, an architect and co-director of the Art Program at Overland, is leading Overland’s collaboration with director Jenny Lavery to bring her creative vision to life usingan architectural expression that allows for set adaptability and frames Lavery’s vision for movement and dialogue. According to Burkman, “Partnering with Lavery was illuminating, as she possesses a clear vision and a deep understanding of each character's unique perspective throughout the story.” Burkman adds, "Jenny's investment in the story guided our team creatively through the design process. The entire team, including those responsible for lighting, costumes, and music, has been incredibly supportive of the creative direction and the evolution of the set ideas based on that vision."

 

Run time: Two hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

 

 

 

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Merrily We Roll Along
by Sondheim, Furth, Kaufmann & Hart
San Pedro Playhouse

Merrily We Roll Along has a limited three-weekend run, opening August 4, 2023 and running through August 20. 

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. 

Russell Hill Rogers Theatre, The Public Theatre, San Antonio

Tickets for shows are $45 (Standard), $30 (Military/Student/Senior* with valid ID), and $15 (Child Under 12). They are available online at thepublicsa.org, by phone at (210) 733-7258. The Public Theater of San Antonio is wheelchair accessible. For additional information about group sales, contact Box Office Coordinator, David Piwarski at boxoffice@thepublicsa.org. 

Special note regarding the performance run: Merrily We Roll Along is performing for only three weekends. For the 2023–24 Season, the theater made adjustments to their performance schedule, offering three weekends of performances rather than four. The theater is starting to explore this new model with the final two productions of the current season.

2023–24 Season Subscriptions are now available for early savings, visit www.thepublicsa.org/subscriptions for more information.  

 

𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 — $10 OFF with promo OLDFRIEND10http://ci.ovationtix.com/35749/production/1112954...

 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 | Aug 11, 13, and 18 mailchi.mp/thepublicsa/merrilypwyw

𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙒𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 is proudly sponsored by John L. Nau, III and Overland Partners.

Events in Celebration of Merrily We Roll Along

• Opening Night — Friday, August 4, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• Pay What You Will Night — Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• Community Engagement Night — Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 7 p.m.

• Pay What You Will Night — Friday, August 11, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• Pay What You Will Night — Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 2 p.m.

• AfterWords (Post-show Conversation) — Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 2 p.m.

• Community Engagement Night with ASL — Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 7 p.m.

• ASL Interpreted Performance — Friday, August 18, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• ASL Interpreted Performance — Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 2 p.m.

• Pay What You Will Night — Friday, August 18, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• Relaxed Performance — Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 2 p.m.

• (For more information on Relaxed Performances, click here)