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My only previous experience of Sondheim and Furth’s (Company) 1981 famous flop was the extremely stripped-down version by Fiasco Theater three years ago. While that was enjoyable, it did not provide many clues why Merrily… has become a cult classic. It certainly didn’t prepare me for the exciting experience I had today at New York Theatre Workshop. This production is basically the same version that originated at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London several years ago and went on to the West End where it won the Olivier. There is so much to praise that it is hard to know where to begin. Perhaps the most important of its many strengths is the brilliant casting. The roles of Frank, Charley and Mary fit Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening), Daniel Radcliffe (Lifespan of a Fact) and Lindsay Mendez (Carousel) like gloves and they play off each other very well. The secondary roles are equally well-cast, including Krystal Joy Brown (Motown)as Gussie, Katie Rose Clarke (Miss Saigon) as Beth, and Reg Rogers (Holiday) as Joe. The songs are well-sung and well-integrated into the action. Jonathan Tunick’s orchestrations for reduced orchestra are fine, but the sound level was occasionally too loud. Soutra Gilmour’s flexible set serves the show well and her period costumes are a delight. Tim Jackson’s (Stepping Out) choreography is a treat. Finally, there is Maria Friedman’s (High Society) skillful direction, which pulls everything together brilliantly so that the gimmick of telling the story of youthful hope leading to middle-age disillusion backwards makes perfect sense. I hesitate to recommend the show too enthusiastically since the entire run is sold out. One can only hope for an extension or a move to Broadway. Running time: two hours 30 minutes including intermission.
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