MERRILY IN REHEARSAL AT THE WALLIS
TIN PAN L.A. EXCLUSIVE
BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO
Stephen Sondheim’s masterwork Merrily We Roll Along is coming to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts this November. In this Tin Pan L.A. exclusive get a behind the scenes peak into rehearsals of this new production set for the Bram Goldsmith Theater stage at the Wallis from November 23 through December 18 under the direction of Tony Award nominee Michael Arden.
Wayne Brady. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.
Merrily We Roll Along is one of Sondheim’s lesser-produced musicals based on the Gorge S. Kafman and Moss Hart play. The musical moves backwards in time from 1981 to 1957 and chronicles the life of successful songwriter and movie producer Frank Shepard. The musical ran on Broadway for 52 previews and 16 performances in 1981—at the time audiences were perplexed by the show’s story telling approach, finding the story and characters difficult to follow. However, now in the age of Netflix, HBO and Amazon Studios audiences are accustomed to following a story told from any angle and plot structure making this a perfect time to bring Merrily to L.A. audiences.
Upon speaking with Arden he said, “The most challenging aspect about this musical was casting” that being said, the cast is a superb group of talented performers that includes: Five-time Emmy Award winner Wayne Brady, Obie and Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee Saycon Sengbloh, Whitney Bashor (Broadway’s The Bridges of Madison County), Aaron Lazar (Broadway’s The Light in the Piazza, The Last Ship), Ovation Award nominee Amir Talai and Donna Vivino (Broadway’s original company of Les Misérables as “Young Cosette”) lead the talented ensemble cast. What’s more Arden choose a multiracial cast for this show, a refreshing choice that aptly reflects the melting pot atmosphere that typifies Los Angeles.
Donna Vivino, left, Max Chucker, Aaron Lazar. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.
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For those not familiar with Sondheim’s musical style the word that always comes to mind for performers is: ‘difficult’, to say the least. The score for Merrily is no exception, and according to Sondheim the story is “told as much possible in a series of thirty-two bar songs […] and reprises […] come first”. With Sondheim’s music it’s all about timing and the precision of rhythm which was certainly evident in the number “Opening Doors” that includes using typewriters as percussion instruments.
Upon talking to various cast members, I discovered that for many of the principals it’s their first time singing in a Sondheim musical and they’re excited for the opportunity and ready to meet the challenge. Brady who is coming off the heels of the pop favorite Kinky Boots on Broadway works hard in rehearsal to get the timing for the song “Opening Doors” which he lands flawlessly. Donna Vivino (Broadway’s Wicked and Hairspray) is another Sondheim neophyte who grabbed the bull by the horns bringing so much energy to her character in “Opening Doors”. Saycon Sengbloh who plays Gussie Carnegie, the flamboyant, self-invented actress, is especially thrilled to be singing in her first Sondheim show. Coming from big pop musicals like Aida, Motown the Musical and Rent, then performing in the straight play Elipsed, for which she received a Tony nomination, she’s thrilled to add Sondheim to her repertoire.
Donna Vivino. Photo Credit: Ryan Luevano.
There’s no better time to plan your visit to the Wallis, Merrily We Roll Along is a gem of a musical that will excite and surprise you. The cast is top notch and they’re working tirelessly to reinvigorate this masterwork from the genius that is Sondheim.
Merrily In Rehearsal
TICKET INFORMATION:
Merrily We Roll Along
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Bram Goldsmith Theater
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
November 23 – December 18, 2016
November 23 – 29, 2016 (Previews)
November 30 (Opening Night)
Performance Schedule: Tues – Fri at 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm & 7pm
TICKETS:
Single tickets: $29 – $110 (prices subject to change)
Online – TheWallis.org
By Phone – 310.746.4000
Box Office – Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Service
9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
