MERRILY THEY ROLL ALONG
A ‘Frank’ talk with Will Gartshore (Franklin Shepherd)
Tracy Lynn Olivera (Mary Flynn)
and Erik Liberman (Charley Kringas)
by Joel Markowitz
What a perfect room to record the actors playing Frank, Mary and Charley than in the Sondheim Rehearsal Room at Signature Theatre where Mr. Sondheim’s 1981 musical Merrily We Roll Along is playing on the Max stage.
Will, Tracy and Erik talk about their characters, their costumes, that long, winding staircase, Eric Schaeffer’s rehearsal process, and how the history of the show was met head-on and resulted in a brand new interpretation.
Other favorite moments: our talk about Jerry Herman and Erik’s reflection on the show that takes us from maturity to youth: “Within everyone is the potential of returning to innocence.” What follows is a lively discussion as the cast reveals the heart within Merrily We Roll Along. Listen here.
From our DCTS review: “The superb cast lets the heart of the musical shine through. ” Read it here.