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Post by scarpia on Mar 9, 2022 12:29:41 GMT
A very Sondheim year for Maria Friedman! Interestingly enough Maria Friedman talked about this last night in her show. She said that she had been trying to bring the show to Broadway for 8 years and 10 days before Sondheim died he did an interview about Company on Broadway and added at the end that Maria was bringing Merrily to Broadway. She said that once he had said that then it just had to happen as no one would dare go against him. She said more great names to be announced. Wonder how similar it will be to the Chocolate Factory version, which I'm still kicking myself for not seeing. This is scheduled for Off-Broadway though...are they planning a B'way transfer? |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 9, 2022 13:07:38 GMT
Interestingly enough Maria Friedman talked about this last night in her show. She said that she had been trying to bring the show to Broadway for 8 years and 10 days before Sondheim died he did an interview about Company on Broadway and added at the end that Maria was bringing Merrily to Broadway. She said that once he had said that then it just had to happen as no one would dare go against him. She said more great names to be announced. Wonder how similar it will be to the Chocolate Factory version, which I'm still kicking myself for not seeing. This is scheduled for Off-Broadway though...are they planning a B'way transfer? The recording of it is available on a well known video sharing site |
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Post by alece10 on Mar 9, 2022 14:30:56 GMT
Interestingly enough Maria Friedman talked about this last night in her show. She said that she had been trying to bring the show to Broadway for 8 years and 10 days before Sondheim died he did an interview about Company on Broadway and added at the end that Maria was bringing Merrily to Broadway. She said that once he had said that then it just had to happen as no one would dare go against him. She said more great names to be announced. Wonder how similar it will be to the Chocolate Factory version, which I'm still kicking myself for not seeing. This is scheduled for Off-Broadway though...are they planning a B'way transfer? I'm guessing it will be very similar as it was originally performed at the Menier which is a small venue before transferring to the larger Harold Pinter. I don't remember many changes when it transferred. |
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Post by Being Alive on Mar 9, 2022 14:33:41 GMT
Wonder how similar it will be to the Chocolate Factory version, which I'm still kicking myself for not seeing. This is scheduled for Off-Broadway though...are they planning a B'way transfer? I'm guessing it will be very similar as it was originally performed at the Menier which is a small venue before transferring to the larger Harold Pinter. I don't remember many changes when it transferred. Almost none in the way that they normally just scale up the shows a little to whatever the auditorium is like. |
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Post by alece10 on Mar 9, 2022 14:34:23 GMT
Wonder how similar it will be to the Chocolate Factory version, which I'm still kicking myself for not seeing. This is scheduled for Off-Broadway though...are they planning a B'way transfer? The recording of it is available on a well known video sharing site Thanks for that. I had no idea it was available. Just checked and its Digital Theatre. Usually you have to pay for their shows. So that's my evening entertainment sorted. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 9, 2022 15:14:17 GMT
The recording of it is available on a well known video sharing site Thanks for that. I had no idea it was available. Just checked and its Digital Theatre. Usually you have to pay for their shows. So that's my evening entertainment sorted. Enjoy - its a good recording of it. |
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Post by jaggy on Mar 9, 2022 15:25:10 GMT
Wasn’t the biggest fan of the Menier production or Friedmans direction.
Did anyone see Merrily at the Donmar Warehouse with Samantha Spiro or at it’s UK premiere in Leicester?
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Post by alece10 on Mar 9, 2022 15:36:32 GMT
Wasn’t the biggest fan of the Menier production or Friedmans direction. Did anyone see Merrily at the Donmar Warehouse with Samantha Spiro or at it’s UK premiere in Leicester? Yes I saw the Donmar production and also the 10th Anniversary concert at the Sondheim with the original Donmar cast. Both excellent. |
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Post by Someone in a tree on Mar 9, 2022 15:50:26 GMT
Wasn’t the biggest fan of the Menier production or Friedmans direction. Did anyone see Merrily at the Donmar Warehouse with Samantha Spiro or at it’s UK premiere in Leicester? Yes I saw the Donmar production and also the 10th Anniversary concert at the Sondheim with the original Donmar cast. Both excellent. *off topic * The donmar one production was outstanding. Michael Grandage directing Spiro, Ovendon, Evans and Francolini using the original book complete with graduation scene and with the addition of Growing Up. Ovendon was freshfaced and a good 10 years younger compared to everyone else and somehow the "getting younger" concept worked and I haven't seen it done as effectively since. |
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Post by karloscar on Mar 9, 2022 17:59:07 GMT
Daniel Evans is only a couple of years older than Julian Ovenden, but yes he did have an innocence about him that made it obvious why everyone would adore Franklin Shepherd unconditionally...until they realised he'd moved on to his next passing fancy. His version of Growing Up alone at the piano has never been bettered.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Mar 9, 2022 18:11:27 GMT
That production made me start crying about halfway through. And it didn't stop!
It is a more powerful piece than I had imagined
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Mar 9, 2022 19:48:46 GMT
Cast will also include Jake Gyllenhaal right?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2022 20:41:46 GMT
Yes I saw the Donmar production and also the 10th Anniversary concert at the Sondheim with the original Donmar cast. Both excellent. *off topic * The donmar one production was outstanding. Michael Grandage directing Spiro, Ovendon, Evans and Francolini using the original book complete with graduation scene and with the addition of Growing Up. Ovendon was freshfaced and a good 10 years younger compared to everyone else and somehow the "getting younger" concept worked and I haven't seen it done as effectively since. Many people have said this, and i agree it was an outstanding production. But some revisions were added without Sondheims approval. He saw the show, hated it, let them complete the run, but has never been allowed in that version since. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 9, 2022 20:45:56 GMT
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Post by jaggy on Mar 9, 2022 22:37:45 GMT
I would have loved to have seen that Donmar production. I wish there was an archive somewhere of it. I've listened to an audio and the cast sounded fantastic especially Spiro.
Hal Prince thought the piece only works when the cast are near enough the same age as the characters at the end (or beginning). Obviously this revival isn't following that belief.
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Post by princeton on Mar 9, 2022 23:50:30 GMT
it’s UK premiere in Leicester? The first UK professional production of Merrily was actually in Manchester at the Library Theatre, in 1984, with a cast including Tracie Bennett as Mary. The great thing about it is as a piece is that your connection to the characters changes depending on your age (I know that's always the case but here it's even more so) and as such it constantly rewards repeat visits across the decades. When I first saw it I was an undergraduate full of youthful optimism - so I associated more with the characters at the end; by the time of the Donmar production I was heading towards the age of the characters at the beginning of show; by the Menier I was older then everyone (the characters - if not the cast). Every time I've seen it it has affected me in different ways. I do think it's a true masterpiece - albeit a flawed one. |
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Post by jaggy on Mar 10, 2022 0:42:48 GMT
it’s UK premiere in Leicester? The first UK professional production of Merrily was actually in Manchester at the Library Theatre, in 1984, with a cast including Tracie Bennett as Mary. The great thing about it is as a piece is that your connection to the characters changes depending on your age (I know that's always the case but here it's even more so) and as such it constantly rewards repeat visits across the decades. When I first saw it I was an undergraduate full of youthful optimism - so I associated more with the characters at the end; by the time of the Donmar production I was heading towards the age of the characters at the beginning of show; by the Menier I was older then everyone (the characters - if not the cast). Every time I've seen it it has affected me in different ways. I do think it's a true masterpiece - albeit a flawed one. You're absolutely right. Thank you for the correction! I'm now going to do some digging into that production. It would be nice to hear Bennett sing Like It Was. I love the fact you highlighted how one can take something new from the show as the years go by. Whether people love or hate it, it cannot be denied that Sondheim and Prince used their heart and soul when crafting the show. Some of those songs are deeply moving. I totally agree, an imperfect work of true greatness. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2022 7:04:53 GMT
Wow I didn't know Tracie Bennett played Mary - I imagine she was stunning. Perfect role for her.
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Post by singingbird on Mar 10, 2022 9:37:11 GMT
it’s UK premiere in Leicester? The first UK professional production of Merrily was actually in Manchester at the Library Theatre, in 1984, with a cast including Tracie Bennett as Mary. The great thing about it is as a piece is that your connection to the characters changes depending on your age (I know that's always the case but here it's even more so) and as such it constantly rewards repeat visits across the decades. When I first saw it I was an undergraduate full of youthful optimism - so I associated more with the characters at the end; by the time of the Donmar production I was heading towards the age of the characters at the beginning of show; by the Menier I was older then everyone (the characters - if not the cast). Every time I've seen it it has affected me in different ways. I do think it's a true masterpiece - albeit a flawed one. So true - and such an interesting way of looking at it. The first time I saw it was at the Donmar with my mum - we were both really moved by it but it was clear her perspective was very different to mine. Can anyone think of any other musicals that work in this way? Grey Gardens, possibly, although it's not exactly the same. |
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Post by theatreian on Mar 12, 2022 10:27:45 GMT
Just re read this about on sale times for tickets:
Tickets will go on sale on 15 March to DMT+ members at 11am, the Priority List at 12noon with Public Booking opening at 1pm.
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Post by christya on Mar 12, 2022 17:53:33 GMT
Excellent - I dread to think what the prices will be but it's worth a try!
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Post by alece10 on Mar 12, 2022 17:56:45 GMT
I'm presuming they will release a batch of tickets for each group otherwise they would sell out just with the DM members alone.
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Post by Boob on Mar 12, 2022 18:45:18 GMT
*off topic * The donmar one production was outstanding. Michael Grandage directing Spiro, Ovendon, Evans and Francolini using the original book complete with graduation scene and with the addition of Growing Up. Ovendon was freshfaced and a good 10 years younger compared to everyone else and somehow the "getting younger" concept worked and I haven't seen it done as effectively since. Many people have said this, and i agree it was an outstanding production. But some revisions were added without Sondheims approval. He saw the show, hated it, let them complete the run, but has never been allowed in that version since. That’s such a pity as it was absolutely sublime. Perhaps one of the best nights I’ve ever spent at the theatre. Friedman’s revival did nothing for me. |
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Post by theatrelover123 on Mar 13, 2022 17:21:47 GMT
Ticket prices are:
£250 and £175 in Stalls and Dress Circle
£125 and £75 in Grand Circle
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Post by couldileaveyou on Mar 13, 2022 17:23:08 GMT
Ticket prices are: £250 and £175 in Stalls and Dress Circle £125 and £75 in Grand Circle Insane. Like charge premium tickets as much as you want, but 125-75£ for the Grand Circle is mental |
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