Merrily We Roll Along

ABOUT

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Based on the Original Play by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Originally directed on Broadway by Harold Prince
Originally produced on Broadway by Lord Grade, Martin Starger, Robert Fryer, and Harold Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell and Howard Haines
Choreographed by Tim Jackson
Directed by Maria Friedman

2022/23 Season

November 21, 2022—January 22, 2023

This production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

Read Synopsis

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG played its final NYTW performance on January 22, 2023.
For more info and tickets for the Broadway run, visit merrilyonbroadway.com

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Spanning three decades in the entertainment business, Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. An inventive, cult-classic ahead of its time, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs. Maria Friedman first directed the musical at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory which subsequently transferred to the Harold Pinter Theatre to critical acclaim—the most five-star reviews in West End history—winning the Olivier Award for Best Musical.

Scenic & Costume Design Soutra Gilmour
Lighting Design Amith Chandrashaker
Sound Design Kai Harada
Hair & Wig Design Cookie Jordan
Orchestrations Jonathan Tunick
Music Supervisor Catherine Jayes
Music Director Alvin Hough, Jr.
Casting Jim Carnahan, CSA & Jason Thinger, CSA
Fight & Intimacy Direction UnkleDave’s Fight-House
Stage Manager Jhanaë K-C Bonnick

 

  • Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Auditionee (u/s Mary Flynn)

    Sherz, which is pronounced like more than one Cher, most recently appeared as Lalume in Kismet (directed by Lonny Price). She has been seen on stage at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Ars Nova, as Aldonza inMan of La Mancha (Triad Stage), in Archetypes(Prospect Theater Company), and inSpring Alive(Dixon Place). On Camera work includes “The Detour,” “The First Wives Club,” “Three Trembling Cities,” “Wing Women,” “Insomnia,” and numerous commercials. Follow her at @morethanonecher. 

  • Gussie Carnegie

    Krystal Joy Brown is a multi-talented Broadway favorite & T.V. & Film actress. Krystal most recently played Eliza in HAMILTON on Broadway and is a recurring guest-star on the Starz series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, season two. She also is a recurring guest star on the hit CBS series, The Equalizer, starring Queen Latifah.  Her new film Girlfriendship will be premiering this October starring Tamara Mowry and directed by Keisha Knight Pullman. 
     
    With five Broadway shows under her belt, HAIR (Dionne/Abe Lincoln), Leap Of Faith (Ornella), Big Fish (Josephine), and MOTOWN (Diana Ross), her extensive theatrical background has led her to be a two-time Fred Astaire Award Nominee and work closely with some of the world’s top Oscar and TONY award-winning playwrights, directors, producers, and creative teams. Her goal is to always create new characters and be hands-on in the development of new inspiring works. 
     
    Krystal also voices the character of Netossa in the DreamWorks/Netflix animated series, She-Ra Princesses of Power, which is now streaming all five seasons only on Netflix. She also voices Avery on Final Space. She has been seen in the Disney live-action feature film MAGIC CAMP (Disney+). She has guest-starred in NBC’s Law & Order: SUV, Hulu’s Deadbeat,  ABC’s Castle, Disney’s Sydney to the Max. Over the pandemic, she filmed two movies, One Royal Holiday and Writing Around the Christmas Tree, which aired on Christmas Day, 2021, and is available on Amazon. 
     
    Aside from her many theatrical pursuits, she is a stage and screenwriter, columnist, novelist, and songwriter, her original music has been featured on ABC’s The Neighbors & ABC’s Mistresses. She made her directorial debut in 2019 with the short film she co-wrote, Reddy Records. She has been commissioned to write and develop diverse new stories for stage and screen, sparking a new passion for the ambitious multi-hyphenate. 
     
    An avid activist in mental health, wellness, and social justice, Krystal has also helped to create the Hamilton Racial Justice Task Force aka Ham4Progress to use the brand and the many talents of the company to push for change in our society and create a more equitable future.  

  • Beth Shepard

    NYTW debut. Broadway: Miss Saigon, Allegiance, Wicked, The Light in the Piazza. National Tours: Wicked, The Light in the Piazza. Regional: Long Wharf- Last Five Years and Prayer for My Enemy, Old Globe- Heart of Rock and Roll. TV: “NCIS: New Orleans,” “The Good Wife” (CBS), “Live from Lincoln Center: Light in the Piazza”. 

  • Newscaster/Waitress/Auditionee (u/s Beth Shepard)

    NYTW debut! Recent credits include: Katie in the world premiere of Rattlesnake Kate(DCPA), Michele Weinberger in the NY workshop of Romy & Michele: The Musical, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Proud Filipina-American. Pace MT. A3 Artists Agency and Lakey Wolff & Co.  

  • Franklin Shepard

    JONATHAN GROFF is a talented Emmy and two-time Tony Award nominee.

    Groff recently co-starred opposite Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss in The Matrix Resurrections. The film, written and directed by Lana Wachowski, released in theaters and on HBO Max on Wednesday December 22nd.

    On Monday November 15, 2021, Groff reunited with the entire original Broadway cast and band of Spring Awakening for a one-night-only, sold-out, 15th anniversary reunion concert, which benefitted The Actors Fund. The reunion concert was the subject of the HBO documentary, “Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known,” produced by Groff, his castmate Lauren Pritchard and Radical Media. The documentary is available to stream on HBO Max.

    Groff recently completed production on M. Night Shyamalan’s highly anticipated feature Knock at the Cabin. On August 24th, Groff voiced the titular role of Ollie in “Lost Ollie,” an animated limited series produced by 21 Laps Entertainment for Netflix.

    In 2019, Groff starred as the lovable doomed florist Seymour Krelborn in the celebrated Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Groff’s Spring Awakening director Michael Mayer. Groff starred opposite Tammy Blanchard and Christian Borle in Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s beloved musical. He received rave reviews for his performance, and was an Outer Critics Circle Award honoree, as well as a Lucille Lortel and Drama League “Distinguished Performance Award” nominee. The production was also honored with Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk and Drama League Awards for “Outstanding Revival of a Musical,” and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

    On screen, Groff is the voice of Kristoff and Sven in the Disney animated hit films Frozen and Frozen II. Frozen won an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for “Best Animated Feature Film.” Additional film credits include American Sniper, C.O.G., The Conspirator and Taking Woodstock.

    Groff is also known for his starring role as Holden Ford in David Fincher’s critically acclaimed Netflix television series “Mindhunter,” which was executive produced by Oscar-winner Charlize Theron. Groff played an FBI agent who interviewed incarcerated serial killers in an attempt to solve ongoing crimes. Groff also starred in the HBO series “Looking,” and reprised his role as Patrick in “Looking: The Movie,” which concluded the acclaimed two-season series. He also appeared as the recurring character, Jesse St. James, on the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning show “Glee,” created and produced by Ryan Murphy.

    In the summer of 2015, Groff originated the role as King George III in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Hamilton on Broadway. The musical, which began Off-Broadway and tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, won 11 Tony Awards in 2016, including “Best Musical.” Groff also received a Tony Award nomination for his performance, and the cast won a Grammy Award and Billboard Music Award for the original cast recording. The Emmy Award-winning film adaptation of the Broadway musical is currently streaming on Disney+. Groff also received an individual Emmy Award nomination for his performance in this film.

    In 2006, Groff gave an award-winning breakout performance in the Broadway production of Spring Awakening (Theatre World Award winner; Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award nominee). Additional theatre credits include The Bobby Darin Story, “Encores! Off-Center: A New Brain,” The Bacchae, Hair, The Submission, The Singing Forest, Prayer for my Enemy (for which he won an Obie Award), Deathtrap and Red.

  • Franklin Shepard, Jr.

    Carter Harris is so excited to be making his theater debut with NYTW! Television: Little Will in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live”. He is a New Jersey native who loves video games, swimming and hanging out with his friends. Carter was born to entertain and makes friends with everyone he meets! Carter would like to send so much love to his family, Stewart Talent, Jim Carnahan Casting, NYTW and the entire Merrily team for this incredible opportunity! 

     

  • Franklin Shepard, Jr.

    Colin Keane  is so excited to make his stage debut and NYTW debut in Merrily We Roll Along.  Film/TV: Ethan Maisel in S5 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Love Baby Soft (2022), Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021), “Law & Order: Organized Crime” (2021), ABC’s “For Life” (2020). Represented by Edge Entertainment. IG: colin_keane_42 

  • Swing

    NYTW debut! National Tours: Hello, Dolly! (Ermengarde), Huntington Theater’s Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday In the Park with George and A Little Night Music (Anne), The Little Mermaid (Ariel). Proud teaching artist at Dreamstreet Theater Co (Brooklyn, NYC). BFA Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory.

  • u/s Franklin Shepard, Jr.

    NYTW debut. Recent theater: Freaky Friday (Fletcher), School of Rock (Billy), A Christmas Story: The Musical (Randy). TV & film: “Only Murders in the Building” (Little Charles), Disney’s “Firebuds” (Harry), Smile (Jackson). Upcoming film: Manodrome (Raymond), Going For Two (Jimmy Moriarty). Much gratitude to Bercy Talent Management and Carson Kolker Organization. www.matthew-lamb.com. @matthewlambofficial

  • Tyler/Make-Up Artist (u/s Franklin Shepard)

    NYTW debut. Broadway: Kinky Boots, Hands on a Hardbody, Godspell. Tours: Wicked, Flashdance, Rent. Off-Broadway:Invisible Thread (Second Stage), Chix 6(La MaMa). Regional premieres include Sara Bareilles’ Waitress at American Repertory Theater, Mystic Pizza at Ogunquit Playhouse, Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing opposite Debra Monk & Boyd Gaines at Signature Theatre (directed by James Lapine), Tim Rice’sFrom Here to Eternityat Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, and “Quasimodo” in The Hunchback of Notre Dameat Great Lakes Theater & Idaho Shakespeare. TV: “Uncoupled”, “FBI”, “The Blacklist”. Corey also is the creator and director of the acclaimed NYC concert series Broadway Sings, now in its tenth year. 

  • Mary Flynn

    LINDSAY MENDEZ currently stars as “Sara Castillo” on the Warner Bros. television drama “All Rise,” currently in its third season for OWN. She received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance as “Carrie Pipperidge” in the 2018 Broadway revival of Carousel. Other Broadway credits include Significant Other, Wicked (“Elphaba” – 10th Anniversary company), Godspell, Everyday Rapture, Grease. Off-Broadway/regional credits include: The Golden Apple (City Center Encores!), Dogfight (Second Stage; Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations), The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival), 35mm, The Winter’s Tale (Delacorte Theater). Television: “Elementary,” “Modern Family,” “Murphy Brown” and “Smash.” Debut album: This Time. Her concert work includes appearances with Lincoln Center’s American Songbook, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, Lyrics and Lyricists and the American Pops Orchestra. In 2012, she co-founded Actor Therapy, a training and mentorship program that she runs in New York City, with composer Ryan Scott Oliver.

  • Charley Kringas

    DANIEL RADCLIFFE stars next in the film Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, playing the greatest musician and sex symbol of our time, alongside Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna. The film will be available to stream for free on The Roku Channel on November 4. Radcliffe just starred in Paramount’s box office hit The Lost City alongside Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. Season four of his TBS series “Miracle Workers,” with Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan and Karan Soni just wrapped production. Last season the anthology comedy was set along the infamous Oregon Trail, with Radcliffe playing an idealistic small-town preacher. Radcliffe also executive produces. The second season, “Miracle Workers: Dark Ages,” was set in the Medieval Period and starred Radcliffe as the hapless Prince Chauncey desperately trying to live up to his father’s (Peter Serafinowicz) high expectations. The second season aired in 2020 while the original season, which saw Buscemi in the role of a weary God and Radcliffe as a low-level angel, aired in 2019. 2020 also saw Radcliffe alongside Ellie Kemper and Jon Hamm in “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend,” in which he plays the role of Kimmy’s fiancé, Prince Frederick. The interactive special aired on Netflix in May 2020. Earlier that year Radcliffe returned to London’s West End starring in the role of Clov opposite Alan Cumming’s Hamm in Samuel Beckett’s Endgame at The Old Vic. The Beckett double bill, featuring Jane Horrocks and Karl Johnson, also saw Radcliffe and Cumming star in Rough for Theatre II, with both plays directed by Richard Jones. 2019 also saw the release of the true-life prison break feature Escape From Pretoria in which Radcliffe played the role of Tim Jenkin. Shot on location in Australia, the film is based on Jenkin’s autobiography Inside Out: Escape from Pretoria Prison. Radcliffe also starred in the comedic action film Guns Akimbo opposite Samara Weaving, playing Miles, a mild-mannered video game developer who accidentally finds himself starring in his own real-life and violent video game.

    Since completing the final installment in the series of eight Harry Potter films in 2010, Radcliffe quickly proved himself a diverse talent. In 2011, he starred in a 10-month sell-out run of the Broadway musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The following year, Radcliffe starred in the horror/thriller The Woman in Black. He also starred opposite Jon Hamm in two seasons of the TV mini-series, “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” a comedy-drama based on a collection of short stories by celebrated Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov. Other notable film credits include the survivalist film Jungle, in which Radcliffe stars in the true-life story of Yossi Ginsberg who was stranded alone in the Amazon jungle; Now You See Me 2, alongside Michael Caine; A24’s indie hit Swiss Army Man with Paul Dano; Imperium, a thriller inspired by real events about white supremacists in America and Sony Pictures Classics’ Kill Your Darlings. Radcliffe has also starred opposite James McAvoy in the feature film Victor Frankenstein; opposite June Temple in the horror-thriller Horns and with Zoe Kazan and Adam Driver in the romantic comedy What If. Radcliffe first appeared on stage in 2007 as Alan Strang, playing opposite Richard Griffiths, in Peter Shaffer’s Equus. Directed by Thea Sharrock, the play then transferred from London’s West End to Broadway in 2008. Radcliffe also starred alongside Cherry Jones and Bobby Cannavale in the sell-out Broadway production of the acclaimed original play The Lifespan of a Fact. Other Broadway credits include Martin McDonagh’s comic masterpiece The Cripple of Inishmaan as Billy, which made its way to Broadway from London’s West End, and a sell-out run of Privacy, a timely play about the digital age and technology, at NYC’s The Public Theater in 2016. He has also previously won rave reviews for his performance as Rosencrantz, opposite Josh McGuire’s Guildenstern, in Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at The Old Vic Theatre, London. A lifelong fan of “The Simpsons,” Radcliffe has lent his voice to the show multiple times. First in November 2010, to the brooding vampire named Edmund for the show’s “Treehouse of Horror XXI” special entitled “Tweenlight” and to the character Diggs, a new transfer student whom Bart befriends. Radcliffe has also made a guest appearance as himself in the HBO/BBC series “Extras.”

  • Meg Kincaid (u/s Beth Shepard)

    NYTW debut! Talia is beyond thrilled to be part of this incredible team, working  on one of the most beautiful and impactful pieces in musical theatre. This show serves as a reminder to always be in touch with the dreamer inside all of us.  Many thanks to Soffer Entertainment and HCKR, as well as Jim Carnahan Casting! Thank you to Mom, for giving her everything. Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen (Zoe Murphy). National Tour: Les Miserables (u/s Eponine,Fantine). Regional : Beauty and the Beast (Babette). Film: “Rustin”, “Activist Singer ” 

     

  • Joe Josephson

    NYTW: Bach At Leipzig. Theatre Includes: Tootsie and The Royal Family (Outer Critics Circle Nominations),The Iceman Cometh, Present Laughter, You Can’t Take It With You, Holiday (Tony and Drama Desk Nominations),The Dazzle (OBIE and Lucille Lortel Awards). Recent Television: “The Americans”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “The Knick”, “Hell On Wheels”, “YOU”, “The Blacklist”.

  • Swing

    AMANDA ROSE  was most recently seen on the stage in the Chicago Marriott Theater’s production ofThe World Goes ‘Round. Previous to that she was seen on Broadway and touring the country in shows likeHoliday Inn(Linda u/s),Wicked(Nessarose),Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mrs. Bucket),Dr Dolittlestarring Tommy Tune, and Oklahoma! (Laurey). Her most recent Off-Broadway and regional theatre credits include Dear Jane, a play (Jane) at NYC’s Theatre Row, Gypsy (Louise) at Pittsburgh’s CLO, 9 to 5(Judy) at Philadelphia’s Walnut St. Theatre, A Chorus Line(Kristine) and  Curtains(Nikki) at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse, Sunset Blvd.(Betty) at Pittsburgh’s CLO and Pennsylvania’s Fulton Theatre, andMiss Saigon(Ellen) at Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse. Big thanks to DGRW!  Amanda-Rose.net

  • Dory/Evelyn (u/s Gussie Carnegie, Mary Flynn)

    Jamila Sabares– Klemm is a Filipinx-american activist, actor, and singer. Theatre: Hamilton, Hair(1st National Tour),The Prince of Egypt (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), Rent(Bristol Riverside),Miss Saigon (Flat Rock Playhouse), The King and I(Chicago Lyric Opera),Spamalot(Farmers Alley), In The Heights (TUTS), A Christmas Carol(McCarter Theatre), Macbeth(New York Classical), Sweeney Todd (Hangar Theatre),Baby (Off-Broadway). TV/Film: “Law and Order,” “Fugue,” “Helpsters.” She is the Co-Founder of Justice through Art, Music, and Movement, or J.A.M.M., a BIPOC women led and centered collective that works to explore what it means to use art, music, and movement as a vessel to challenge injustice and dismantle oppressive systems. She believes that another world is not only possible, but necessary, and is committed to using her art in the fight for the true liberation of all people. 

  • Newscaster/Photographer/Bunker (u/s Charley Kringas)

    NYTW debut! Broadway/West End: The Book of Mormon, Lend Me a Tenor, Finian’s Rainbow, All Shook Up, and Grease. 1st National Tour: All Shook Up. Television: “Kevin Can Wait” “FBI” and “Law & Order: SVU” Recordings: The Book of Mormon and Grease. 

     

  • Swing (u/s Franklin Shepard)

    NYTW Debut. Broadway: Amazing Grace. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors. National Tours: The Play That Goes Wrong, Dirty Dancing. Canada: The Toxic Avenger (Title role, Dora Award nomination), two seasons at the prestigious Shaw Festival. Selected Regional: Cleveland Play House, Cincinnati Playhouse, Drury Lane Theatre, and Bucks County Playhouse. More at www.EvanAlexanderSmith.com. @IamEvanSmith 

  • Ru/Reverend

    Christian Strange is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, and graduate of the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. He is thrilled to be making his NYTW debut! Off-Broadway credits: Sunday (Atlantic Theater Company); The Butcher Boy (Irish Rep). Regional credits: Hamlet (Santa Cruz Shakespeare); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Santa Cruz Shakespeare); I Heart Juliet (Illinios Shakespeare). Incredible gratitude to Mom and Dad, Scott Manners, and the entire A&R team. @christian.strangee. 

  • Swing (u/s Charley Kringas)

    Born in Los Angeles and of Turkish/Mexican descent, Koray’s credits include: Newsies (Paramount Theatre; Davey), Be More Chill (Chicago; Rich),  Pippin (Mercury Theatre; Pippin),  Seussical (Drury Lane), Memphis (Porchlight); A Prayer for Owen Meany (Cincinnati Playhouse), The Boy Who Danced on Air (Diversionary Theatre), Cabaret (Lewis Family Playhouse; Emcee), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Buena Park Theatre; Jackson), Jesus Christ Superstar (Lewis Family Playhouse; Simon), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Candlelight Pavilion; Chip Tolentino) and as the lead vocalist in the Four C Notes (A tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons). He can also be seen in Amazon Prime’s
    “Night Sky.”
    Koray is a graduate of Columbia College and the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Bruce E. Coyle Internship Program. Love to Josephine and Callum. @koray.memo
     

  • Jerome (u/s Joe Josephson)

    NYTW debut. Broadway: Groundhog Day. Off-Broadway: Road Show and 1776 (City Center), Einstein’s Dreams (Prospect). Regional: Come Fall in Love (Old Globe), Swept Away (Berkeley Rep), How to Succeed (Kennedy Center), DAVE (Arena Stage), Music Man (Olney Theatre), Frog and Toad (Adventure Theatre – Helen Hayes Nomination), Crazy For You (Pennsylvania Shakes), and Spelling Bee (Ford’s Theater)

  • KT (u/s Gussie Carnegie)

    Natalie Wachen is an Ovation Award winner (Ain’t Misbehavin) who has performed on stages in Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and across the U.S., including in the Off-Broadway productions of RENT (Mimi), Murder Ballad (Standby Sara / Standby Narrator), and The Public Theater’s production of the Tony and Pulitzer Award winning Broadway musical formerly known as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s The Hamilton Mixtape.

    Her TV credits include recurring roles on HBO’s “Boardwalk  Empire,” NBC’s “Deception,” The CW’s “90210,” Lionsgate’s’ “You Kiddin’ Me,” and BET’s “Hell Date.” But she is most recognized on the street for playing “Sondra” on The Cosby Show, which she definitely did not do. Behind the curtain, Natalie has produced multiple international productions via her company, Heatwave Entertainment, and has been recognized by State Senator Sydney Kamlager’s office as a female leader in business. Her concert performances include venues like Disney Concert Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, and residencies with her jazz combo in and around Los Angeles. She looks forward to her solo album debut in 2023.

  • Terry/Mr. Spencer (u/s Joe Josephson)

    NYTW Debut! Broadway:Carousel(Enoch Snow),Hello, Dolly!, Violet, Amélie, The Phantom of the Opera(JosephBuquet/Monsieur Reyer). NYC:1776(Robert Livingston, Encores!),Mack & Mabel(Harry, Encores!) National tour:Chicago(Amos Hart). Regional:Into the Woods(The Baker)Shrek the Musical(Shrek),Benny & Joon(Waldo),As You Like It(Corin),Twelfth Night(Feste),A Christmas Carol(Jacob Marley). Television: “Annie Live on NBC”(Mr. Bundles, etc) and “The Gilded Age” (John Dixon). He/Him 

Stephen Sondheim / Composer/Lyricist

STEPHEN SONDHEIM wrote music and lyrics for Saturday Night, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, The Frogs, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins, Passion and Road Show and lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy and Do I Hear a Waltz? His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published in two volumes: Finishing the Hat and Look, I Made a Hat. In 2010, the Broadway theatre formerly known as Henry Miller’s Theatre was renamed in his honor.

George Furth / Bookwriter

GEORGE FURTH graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Speech and received a master’s in fine arts from Columbia. After writing the book for the Tony Award-winning Company, he collaborated again with Stephen Sondheim, writing the book for Merrily We Roll Along. He went on to write the play or book for Twigs, The Act, The Supporting Cast, Precious Sons and Getting Away With Murder (with Stephen Sondheim). He won the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, London’s Olivier, Evening Standard Award, Chicago’s Jefferson, the Andy and Drama League awards. He was a member of the Actors Studio and the Dramatists Guild.

Maria Friedman / Director

NYTW debut. MARIA FRIEDMAN made her directorial debut with her highly acclaimed and award-winning production of Merrily We Roll Along, which opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in November 2012, transferred to the West End in May 2013, and opened in Boston in 2017. She went on to direct High Society at the Old Vic in 2015, which was equally well received and then Stepping Out which toured in 2016 and opened in the West End in the spring of 2017. Maria directed A Little Night Music in Japan in the spring of 2018 and Dusty – The Dusty Springfield Musical which premiered at Theatre Royal Bath in the summer of 2018.

Maria is best known as a three-time Olivier Award-winning star of the musical stage; the heart of Maria’s career has been centered around the love and work of her dear friend Stephen Sondheim. She has played Dot in Sunday in the Park with George at the National Theatre; Fosca in Passion at the Queen’s (Olivier Award); Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd at the Royal Festival hall with Bryn Terfel, and Mary in Merrily We Roll Along at the Leicester Haymarket. Additionally, in concert, she has played Sally in Follies and both Charlotte and Petra in A Little Night Music. Maria was honoured to sing for Stephen at his 80th birthday celebrations in New York and Washington, as well as at the special all-Sondheim BBC Prom. Maria’s many international concert appearances include three sell-out seasons at New York’s prestigious Café Carlyle, and many concerts with Michael Legrand and the late Marvin Hamlisch. Most recently, she premiered her new cabaret show “Lenny and Steve” with musical director Jason Carr at the Hippodrome’s Matcham Room. Her most recent recording is Maria Friedman Sings The Great British Songbook on Sepia. Maria has also been presenting for the BBC World Service, recent work includes an exploration of the work of Stephen Sondheim.

Merrily We Roll Along won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards 2013, the Oliver Awards 2014 (for which Maria was also nominated for Best Director of a Musical), and the Critic’s Circle Award 2013. Maria has won three Olivier Awards, been nominated for nine and has won an Evening Standard Award.

Tim Jackson / Choreographer

NYTW debut. TIM JACKSON is an acclaimed British director and choreographer working in theatre, opera and television. His choreography is praised for its thoughtful and detailed musicality. A music graduate of Oxford University, he works from the score, mining for the humour and heart hidden within an orchestration.

Tim’s West End theatre credits include Stepping Out (Vaudeville), Merrily We Roll Along (Harold Pinter), A Christmas Carol (Dominion), Saturday Night (Arts), Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (Apollo), Kean (Apollo) and Mouthful (Trafalgar Studios). Further selected theatre credits include Merrily We Roll Along (National Theatre Tokyo, Huntington Theatre Co. & Menier Chocolate Factory); A Little Night Music (Nissay Theatre, Tokyo); Dusty (UK Tour); The Season (Royal & Derngate Theatre and New Wolsey Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors (Royal Exchange, Manchester); The Hound of The Baskervilles (UK Tour); Oliver! (Watermill Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch); The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ (Curve Leicester); Treasure Island (Bolton Octagon); The Beautiful Game (Union Theatre); Parade (Southwark Playhouse); Made In Dagenham (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch & New Wolsey Theatre); If I (Aoyama Theatre, Tokyo); Copacabana (UK Tour); As You Like It (Wirksworth Festival); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Riverside Studios); The Roar Of The Greasepaint – The Smell Of The Crowd (Finborough Theatre); The Kissing Dance (Jermyn St. Theatre); Origin Of The Species (Arcola Theatre).

Opera credits include La Périchole (Garsington Opera); Le Nozze Di Figaro (Wilton’s Music Hall & France Tour); La Bohème (Middle East Tour). Television credits include New Year’s Eve 2021 (BBC One), The 41st and 43rd Olivier Awards Ceremonies (ITV), The 40th Olivier Awards Ceremony (BBC One), Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief (BBC One). Tim is also working on an upcoming comedy for Channel 4. timjacksoncreative.com @timjcreative

Catherine Jayes / Music Supervisor

NYTW debut. Music Director/Supervisor at The Open Air, Harold Pinter, Bernard Jacobs & Chichester Festival Theatres, Associate Director of Cheek by Jowl. Road Show, She Loves Me, The Color Purple, The Boyfriend, Boys from Syracuse, Assassins, Pacific Overtures (Tokyo 2023). Composer: The Tempest, As You Like It, The Mandate. Film: DeLovely, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

Alvin Hough, Jr. / Music Director

NYTW debut. Broadway: New York, New York; The Piano Lesson; Tina: The Tina Turner Musical; Once on This Island; The Color Purple, Motown. TV/Film: “Annie Live!” on NBC, “Spirited,” “Schmigadoon 2.” Originally from DC, Alvin also has two degrees in meteorology from Harvard and Georgia Tech. He sends love to his wife, Rebecca, and their wonderful children, Samuel (5) and Camille (3). alvinhoughjr.com

Soutra Gilmour / Scenic & Costume Design

NYTW debut. Selected theatre: Cyrano De Bergerac (BAM, NY, West End); Macbeth; Romeo and Juliet (Lyttelton Films for the National Theatre), Betrayal (Broadway, West End); & Juliet (Broadway, West End), Pinter at the Pinter; Evita; Timon of Athens; Guys and Dolls; Knives in Hens, Inadmissable Evidence, Piaf, Apologia, Richard III, The Maids, The Homecoming.

Amith Chandrashaker / Lighting Design

NYTW: On Sugarland and Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord. Featured at NYTW, The Public, Second Stage, Playwrights Horizons, MTC, The Atlantic, Signature NY, Soho Rep, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Omaha, Opera Colorado, Atlanta Opera. Dance works with Sidra Bell, Alexander Ekman, Liz Gerring, Cedar Lake, Rennie Harris, Drama Desk and Henry Hewes awards. Professor at The University of Maryland.

Kai Harada / Sound Design

NYTW debut. Broadway: Kimberly Akimbo; Mr. Saturday Night; Head Over Heels; The Band’s Visit (Tony, Drama Desk Awards); Amélie; Sunday in the Park with George; Allegiance; Gigi; Fun Home; On the Town; First Date; Follies; Million Dollar Quartet. Other: The Karate Kid; Bedwetter; Soft Power; Little Dancer; City Center and Kennedy Center musicals.

Jim Carnahan, CSA / Casting

NYTW: What’s It All About, Once, Wise Guys. Jim has cast over 150 Broadway shows. Broadway: Leopoldstadt; Almost Famous; Take Me Out; A Beautiful Noise; New York, New York; Funny Girl; Harry Potter; Moulin Rouge. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors. London: Eureka Day, Best of Enemies. Upcoming Film: Ari Aster’s Disappointment Blvd.

Jason Thinger, CSA / Casting

NYTW debut. Broadway: New York, New York, Almost Famous, A Beautiful Noise, Take Me Out, Funny Girl, A Christmas Carol, Tootsie. Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Medea (BAM). Regional/Tours: A Christmas Carol, The Light in the Piazza (Lyric Opera of Chicago). London: The 47th. TV/Film: “The Week Of,“ “The Sinner.”

UnkleDave's Fight-House / Fight & Intimacy Direction

NYTW: On Sugarland; runboyrun & In Old Age. Broadway: Ain’t No Mo; Kimberly Akimbo; Girl from the North Country; Tuck Everlasting; The Great Society; An American in Paris; Disgraced. Off- Broadway: Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven (Drama Desk Nom.); Oedipus El Rey (Drama Desk Nom.).

Jhanaë K-C Bonnick / Stage Manager

JHANAË K-C BONNICK (she/her) is a Caribbean-American AEA Stage Manager, Administrator, and Educator based in New York City. She is passionate about the power of language, education, and community. Committed to cultivating the future of the industry, Jhanaë champions early career stage managers as a significant part of the theatrical community and finds her most fulfilling work is on material steeped in working towards collective liberation in ways both big and small. She was selected for the inaugural list of “Women to Watch on Broadway” (2020).

Jhanaë’s credits include – Broadway: Six, Macbeth, Caroline, or Change, Slave Play, Hadestown, Gary, Six Degrees of Separation, and The Cherry Orchard. Select Off-Broadway: Slave Play, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, Hadestown (NYTW) , Enemy of the People (PAA), Octet (Signature), Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future (Ars Nova), Reconstructing, Primer for a Failed Superpower (The TEAM). Select Regional: The Color Purple (MUNY), Lempicka (Williamstown). BA SUNY New Paltz. @jhanaekcb

Menier Chocolate Factory / Producer

(Artistic Director David Babani & General Manager Thomas Siracusa) A full-time producing theatre based in London. Alongside originating this production of Merrily We Roll Along it has been represented on Broadway by Travesties, The Color Purple, La Cage aux Folles, A Little Night Music and Sunday in the Park with George. Its productions have garnered multiple Tony and Olivier Award nominations and wins.

NEWS

Regret, Reward, and Redemption

VOGUE

Hear interviews with Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, Lindsay Mendez, and Maria Friedman about how they found Merrily We Roll Along and how, in turn, they may have found a bit more of themselves.

Has Maria Friedman Saved Sondheim's Biggest Flop?

New York Times

Join former New York Times chief theatre critic Ben Brantley as he shadows director Maria Friedman leading up to the first performance of Merrily We Roll Along at NYTW, and find out why no one could stop crying during rehearsals.

Suggested Reading

FIRST LOOK: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG to Transfer to Broadway