“Merrily We Roll Along,” which just picked up four Tony Awards this past Sunday (June 16), still is rolling along, this time with cameras filming the Stephen Sondheim show.
Broadway is buzzing about this beloved show, especially with filming underway inside the Hudson Theatre, where “Merrily” has been in residency since last Oct.23, 2023. But finally, the July 7 closing date approaches.
Signs posted outside the Hudson confirm the show is being filmed according to Playbill. But no official word on where its future lies, as a commercial theatrical release, as a PBS production airing on TV, as a streaming film on cable, or as a straight-to-DVD collectible.
The bottom line is hooray, this show is being filmed for posterity! If only more productions could do this.
“Merrily” trio, from left: Lindsay Mendez, Johnathan Gross and Daniel Radcliffe .
The filming will be another notch of success for “Merrily,” originally a Broadway failure that ran for only 16 performance and 44 preview shows. Its 2024 comeback is the stuff of legends, notably because of the show collected four Tonys: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Leading Actor in a Musical (Jonathan Groff, as Franklin Shepherd), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Daniel Radcliffe, as Charley Kringas), and Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick).
The production is directed by Olivier winner Maria Friedman and features music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by George Furth.
Before opening on Broadway, “Merrily” had an off-Broadway run in 2022, at the New York Theatre Workshop, where Groff, Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez, who was a Tony nominee (playing Mary Flynn), developed the chemistry that has been on display since opening at production, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the trio, or the entire ensemble, had a desire to continue rolling along, if possible. (The show was extended several times earlier in the run; and no, a further extension is not possible).
The “Merrily” ensemble will be filming with the show’s leading trio.
A company of nearly 20 has been a part of the successful show.
A cast recording was released Jan. 22, and has been a brisk seller at the show’s merch counter. I bought one when I took in the show, along with a T-shirt, and will surely add a DVS to my purchases if and when it’s available…
Broadway grosses, for week ending June
A couple of new shows have entered the Top 10 list of Broadway shows, including a lone play, but musicals – including “The Lion King” – dominate the chart.
To mark the 75th anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” musical, Lincoln Center will stage a landmark concert version of the beloved production, assembling the original 2008 revival cast that staged the show at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The one-nighter is set for Dec. 9.
The milestone concert presentation, to be directed by Bartlett Sher, will be part of Lincoln Center’s 2024-25 season.
Loretta Ables Sayre
The show, which earned seven Tony Awards—the most for a revival — will include Hawaii’s Loretta Ables Sayre, who made her Broadway debut and earned a Tony nomination for her performance as Bloody Mary. She performs two iconic tunes, “Happy Talk” and “Bali Hai,” in the score.
Besides Ables Sayre, the luminous cast also featured Kelli O’Hara as Nellie Forbush and Paulo Szot as Emile de Becque. Danny Burstein as Luther Billis and Matthew Morrison as Lieutenant Cable.
Sher’s colleague, Christopher Gattelli, choreographed the musical in the pristine Lincoln Center stage, and the show won all four Tonys in the technical categories.
Sher was Best Director, Szot won the Tony for Leading Actor in a Musical and “South Pacific” was the Best Revival of Musical…
‘Newsies’ auditions at Paliku
Auditions for Disney’s “Newsies” musical will be held at 6:30 p.m. today (June 17) and tomorrow at Paliku Theatre, at Windward Community College.
The auditions are open to youths and adults — it’s a community venture, not children’s theater — will be held at 6:30 p.m. today (June 17) and tomorrow (June 18) at Paliku
“The Outsiders” upset the favored “Hell’s Kitchen,” in last night’s Tony Awards telecast from Lincoln Center in New York City. Big time spoiler surprise.
“The Outsiders,” with roots in a 50-year-old novel about teen angst in Tulsa, Oklahoma, became Broadway’s insider favorite musical, earning four Tonys including Best New Musical.
It toppled Alicia Keys’ favored biographical jukebox tune fest, about growing up in creative community on Manhattan, which picked up just two awards from 13 nominations.
The evening’s big victor, however, was “Stereophonic,” voted Best New Play, despite its musical content, which earned the most Tonys, five, from a field of 13 noms.
“Merrily We Roll Along,” the Stephen Sondheim flop with origins four decades ago, collected four wins, in a resurrection mounting, including Best Revival of a Musical, plus first-time Tonys for its two male leads, Johnathan Groff (Best Leading Actor in a Musical) and Daniel Radcliffe (Best Featured Actor in a Musical).
The disappointing outcome of “Kitchen” might have been an indicator, when Danya Taymor won Best Director of a Musical, for “The Outsiders,” early on.
Some reflections:
Too much of a good thing:
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys jump into action, joining the “Hells Kitcheb” cast. However, they are not in the show..
Expectations were high for “Kitchen,” which received a somewhat over-hefty airtime of nearly 20 minutes, when three selections from the score were staged as the first of the salutes to the musical contenders. In the final moments, performers Alicia Keys and Jay-Z – who are not in the cast – took to the stage, then traipsed into the audience to compete the number to roaring applause. When the Best New Musical category, the evening’s nightcap, was to be announced, Keys appeared ready to return to the stage. Ouch!
My favorite fling:
Disclosure: After being in New York for a week, watching five of the nominated shows, I assumed “Kitchen” would be the victor, and didn’t book tickets to see it, so I was rooting for “Merrily We Roll Along,” for the camaraderie of the trio of leads, the unexpected humor and gentle charm of the Sondheim score, and the easy-flowing, easy-going melodics. The show also won a Tony for Best Orchestrations (Johnathan Tunick). For all the CD soundtracks available for sale, I opted for one such purchase: “Merrily.” And have been listening to the music since returning home.
Fast talker
Daniel Radcliffe won his first Tony, for “Merrily We Roll Along.”
Daniel Radcliffe was totally incredible as Charley Krigas, playing a lyricist in the show. He was hysterical in his acceptance comments, for his first Tony win as a featured actor in a musical, opining, I’m going to talk fast and try not to cry…I don’t even have to act in this show…I will never have it this good again.”
Cry, baby, cry
Johnathon Groff also picked up his first Tony for”Merrily We Roll Along.”
Jonathan Groff, 39, wept, went he started reading his prepared comments, triggering teary eyes for viewers. He won his first Tony as Best Leading Actor in a Musical, in which he played composer Franklin Shepherd in “Merrily We Roll Along.”
“Thank you for letting me dress up like Mary Poppins when I was 3,” Groff said, addressing his parents. “Thank you for letting me act out scenes from ‘I ‘Love Lucy’ on my 10th birthday. Thank you for always allowing my freak flag to fly without ever making me feel weird about it.”
“Even if they didn’t always understand me, my family knew the lifesaving power of fanning the flame of a young person’s passions without judgment,
“I walk through life with an open heart because you let me know that I could,” he added.
VIP producers
Angelina Jolie
Two notables, one from the big screen, the other from the pollical realm, were key producers for shows that picked up trophies. Angelina Jolie, one of the producers of “The Producers,” introduced a production number. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced “Suffs,” a musical based on women suffragettes, which earned a Tony for Best Book of a Musical. Wisely, she reminded everyone this is an election year, and encouraged all go out to vote, without political bias.
Hillary Clinton
Empty handed
To say that being nominated is ample reward, l let’s cut the bull. No one loves losing, but someone – or some shows, this case – go home empty handed.
These productions had zero results in the voting, though a few truly were denied recognition:
“Water for Elephants,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “Lempicka,” “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “Days of Wine and Roses,” “Here Lies Love,” “Grey House,” “The Notebook,” “Gutenberg! The Musical, and “The Who’s Tommy.”
The local angle
Hawaii’s Nicole Scherzinger delivered an emotional and fitting version of “What I Did for Love,” an official show biz anthem from “A Chorus Line,” in a In Memoriam segment. She likely will be a musical contender in next year’s Tonys, as she is starring as Norma Desmond, in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” opening Oct. 20 on Broadway. It’s an import from the West End, where sh”e earned an Olivier Award.
Amazing artistry
One thing about the Tony show is how stage designers and stagehands can swiftly and handily replicate the original environments of the key nominees. The rainstorm from “The Outsiders” is a more complicated task, than the office-like setting for “Merrily We Roll Along.” The circus-inspired template of “Water for Elephants” opted for outdoor gym like space, with a later view of a circus tent, compared to the intricate rotating in-the-round set for “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” enabling the closeups of the Kit Kats and EddieRedmayne’s Emcee’s “Wilkommen” opening number, with the best zoom-in shots of the revival.
Do we need a host?
Ariana DeBose completed her third gig as Tony host. The Oscar winner was fine when she brought diversity to the spotlight – the first Afro-Latino queer actor to earn an Academy Award for Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.”
She also was the first host to work without a script, when she fronted the Tony audience, when the pandemic was in full swing two years ago.
Her opening dance number lacked Broadway excitement and power, though her participation in the Chita Rivera tribute was stellar, with the kind of pizzazz with an emotional kick.
NEW YORK – Before we bid aloha to Broadway 2024, thought we’d share some recaps of our visit.
Sometimes plans don’t work out. I had ordered a rental power wheelchair, to tool around Times Square and the immediate vicinity. The chair arrived, but had a left-handed toggle switch, and I’m right-handed, so requested a change. Alas, there were no right-hand models, so the rental company provided a power scooter. Had to return it, too, since I’ve never tried a scooter and was not comfortable using one
Mr. Walker gets his Hawaiian Air credentials.
So: Mr. Walker became my buddy, subbing for Mr. Wheelchair. The walker put a stress on my legs and arms, but I was acclimated to it and it got me to all my Broadway shows, to a dinner or two, and – two big tests – a 10-block street fair on Eighth Avenue on Saturday, and a journey from Seventh Ave. and W. 47th St. to W.53rd and Fifth Ave. on Sunday. Quite a distance to cover, and the legs withstood the distance test.
It was the first time I used a walker in New York, and I’m thrilled it worked out and saw me through the trip. Mr. Walker even earned a pink Hawaiian Airlines tag, an unofficial certification of its boarding in the first class overhead bin. (Yes, it fit).
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Hotel Edison, smack dab in the middle of the Theatre District, has become a preferred place to stay. Last summer, we booked a cramped room based on its under $300 rate. With a wheelchair in the room, it was darn cramped.
A sofabed is one of the rooms, above, and the “bedroom” has a king bed and computer desk, below.
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The Edison also had daily grab-and-go quickie breakfasts for guests that include a bacon-egg sandwich, croissant, fruit and coffee.
Vi at Freidman’s.
Prior to arrival, Vi had made multiple reservations at two of Edison’s restaurants, Friedman’s and Bond 45, so we had multiple res for breakfasts and dinners. The convenience was the defining factor; these eateries are a long ride down in the elevator, with quick service and ample menu choices. We managed to dine at Victor’s on W. 54th, the night buddy Kevin Iwamoto joined us for Cuban fare, and theater that night was “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” at the August Wilson, just across the street.
Wayne at Victor’s.
Kevin had a breakfast with us one morn, and a dinner, too, at Friedman’s, before a quick walk on 47th to the renovated Palace Theatre, where Ben Platt was in residency for three weeks.
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I don’t get much fan mail – very seldom, anyway– so imagine the thrill and unexpected joy when, in the midst of our New York visit, I got an email from a Broadway star, whose works I respect.
The note carried her married name, so I didn’t immediately recognize the sender.
Then my eyes widened and my heart melted, when I read the sincere message:
Wayne: THANK YOU for this thoughtful and sweet write up! I feel so seen and you were so kind with your words ~ thank you very much. I’ll send it to my biggest fan (my mom, Esther.)
I’m happy to hear from you. Thank you for thinking to send this to me.
I hope you are healthy and well.
Ruthie
Ruthie Ann Miles.
Ruthie Ann Miles was responding to a column, where commended her for earnest delivery of “Aloha Oe,” one of the enduring island anthems that she performed in a recent PBS Memorial Day program. It was the best-ever rendering I’ve heard, with genuine from-the-heart manao, and I wanted to let her know its impact on me and her ongoing great work.
That she would respond so generously was a sweet surprise…
Over the past few years, I’ve been blessed to see Ruthie – a Kaimuki High grad – in three of her many roles – as Imelda Marcos in “Here Lives Love,” at the Public Theatre; “The King and I,” at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre, where she portrayed Lady Thiang the wife of The King, and picked up a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and as the Beggar Woman (Tony nominee) in last year’s “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” …
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This year, more than last year, I reached out to each of the theaters where I would be seeing shows, to seek out how they assist the handicapped.
All of them responded…with common, encouraging advice, that if you have a wheelchair, a walker, a scooter or use a cane, on-site staff will help you find seats and bring your chair or walker to your seat at intermission, if needed, and also at the termination of the performance.
About ticketing: most theaters have a limited number of handicapped seats; the variations could mean you could sit in your wheelchair in allotted space for you and your accompanist, or sit in a conventional seat reserved for the handicapped. You could wheel to your seat, and your chair or walker will be removed and properly stored.
Most older theaters don’t have elevators, so you’d be wise to seek orchestra-level seating.
Do not try to buy seats reserved for the handicapped; you will need to verify, on scene, if indeed there is handicapped person in your party.
“Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” with its unique in-the-round performing stage, as well as orchestra-level seating with a ledge to hold drinks, is most tasked in accommodating patrons. I had orchestra seats, a few rows away from the stage, and I was able to use a walker up angled walkways until I had to carefully reach my seats with a device of support. It’s commendable that an aide came to ask, at intermission, if I needed to make a bathroom run (no, I didn’t), and the aide returned at the end of the show to bring my walker and wait till the last of the crowds exited, then guided me down the walkers. OK, my friend Kevin also was a dandy helper in the movement up to the seats and descent later.
Moral: if you have a sturdy helper, ask for kokua from him. Or her…
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You never know what you’ll see at Times Square.
Hot dog! A giant wiener in a bun attracts viewers an feelers at Times Square.
Yes, the Naked Cowboy still makes his rounds, strumming his guitar.
The surprise this year was a gigantic wiener attracting stares, which has been a weekend attraction this summer.
The weather had been perfect when we were there, making people watching fun.
I always go to the M&M store, where you can purchase anything from keychains to T-shirts, from blankets to candy (natch). Buying assorted M&Ms, in all shades and shapes (the almond variety is football-shaped), and you simply move – with plastic ziplock bags in hard== and go from faucet to faucet to faucet to faucet, then head to the cashier and discover you have 3 lbs! But upon return home, we’ve mixed and separated the various M&Ms to share as gifts. Yummeee.
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Lastly, a few theaters still enable you to download and print tickets with barcodes that you can bring to the theaters.
Broadway tickets must be transferred to iPhones,
Most, however, require e-ticketing, with the tickets either stored in an e-wallet or at the sellers websites, like Ticketmaster, Telecharge or Broadway.com. My “Cabaret” seats went directed to Seat Geek. If all this is foreign language (think seniors), ask for help at home before you leave for New York. For safety, save/bring online orders, as back up.
