MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

SEPT 9 10 15 16 18 23 24 25 | FRI & SAT 8PM SUN 2PM

book by GEORGE FURTH
music and lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
based on the GEORGE S KAUFMAN – MOSS HART play

directed by LEE HAMBY
assistant director: RHODIE JACKSON | choreographer: NIKI STOKES
vocal director: ROBIN BRAZELTON | band director: DAMON MARTIN

MUSICAL | This thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success turns the traditional showbiz musical on its head. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth expertly blend the excitement and energy of a backstage musical with a poignant and emotional contemporary story about the importance of staying true to one’s ideals.

production photography: SUSAN J ROCHE

REVIEWS

Tamara McClaran, BUZZ:

“Merrily We Roll Along features an extremely talented 18-member cast, beautiful set design and a fascinating story brought to life under Hamby’s thoughtful direction. .. the leading trio of actors – Daniel Austin as Franklin, Katie Swider McCloskey as Mary and Josh Waller as Charley – are outstanding. Their acting and singing performances are flawless ..”

Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom, EU Jacksonville:

“.. a Broadway musical of rare intelligence and sensitivity, which engages the audience throughout… Old Friends, Not a Day Goes By, and Our Time are some of Sondheim’s best.”

David Paul Johnson, Folio Weekly

“.. the small-stage intimacy of ABET with an extreme focus on storytelling allows the musical to strike deeper, even with some rough edges.. Choreographer Niki Stokes deserves raves as well.. That search for simplicity in a complex world resonates even more now. And it’s the simplicity and focus of the revamped Merrily We Roll Along that make it a hit.”

THE CAST

DANIEL AUSTIN
Franklin Shepard
JOSH WALLER
Charley Kringas
KATIE SWIDER McCLOSKEY
Mary Flynn
SARA BETH SUMMERS
Beth Spencer
JENNIFER MEDURE
Gussie Carnegie
DAVE ALAN THOMAS
Joe Josephson
EAN BRICKNELL
Franklin Shepard Jr
MILAN ALLEY
Ensemble
GARY BAKER
Ensemble
ELIZABETH BRICKNELL
Ensemble
EVAN GOULD
Ensemble
ILANA GOULD
Ensemble
JONATHAN LEONARD
Ensemble
ZACHARY POLENDO
Ensemble
KATIE RILEY
Ensemble
ABIGAIL SAENZ
Ensemble
RON SHREVE
Ensemble
KELLY WOLFE
Ensemble

THE BAND

ALEX HERNANDEZ, DAMON MARTIN, STEFANIE BATSON, MICHAEL TAYLOR, GREG BALUT

PRODUCTION TEAM

directed by LEE HAMBY
assistant director: RHODIE JACKSON
choreographer: NIKI STOKES
vocal director: ROBIN BRAZELTON
band director: DAMON MARTIN
stage manager: BRIAN CHAMPION
dance captain: ILANA GOULD
set design: LEE HAMBY
costume design: AMY TILLOTSON
lighting and sound design: BRYAN FRANK
light and sound Tech: BETSY TOTTEN DARNELL
set construction: ALAN FRANK, BRYAN FRANK, GORDON FRANK, MARIE FRANK, BRIAN JOHNSON
set painting: LEE HAMBY, RHODIE JACKSON
poster design: SHEPHERD
web design / social media marketing: CARYL BUTTERLEY
publicity photography: CARYL BUTTERLEY
production photography: SUSAN ROCHE
program: CELIA FRANK, DAGHER PRINTING
opening night reception: AUDREY DEARBORN, WALTER KRUPINSKI, BEV DENEEN, CAROL KALATA, SUSAN CATHCART