At the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park – where I seldom go -? currently playing is Merrily We Roll Along, by Stephen Sondheim, based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, back in the mid-20th century.
I loved the technical part of this play – the set, the setup, the actors being the musicians and singers.? And the fact that it is played essentially backwards.? Character Franklin Shepard is shouting “I hate my life” at the end of the first ‘scene’ – or maybe skit is a better word.? He’s clearly had a long and hard life in theater, and has split from his two closest collaborators, while finding himself a third wife, and getting very rich.? As the years roll backward, we see why the second wife is so upset, not to say bitchy.? And how the wildly talented Franklin has been making money, not using his talent – and not truly fathering his son.? Back and back and back til the ending – where Franklin is shouting “I love my life!” and hooking little fingers with his two compadres, as they all begin their life journey.
Wonderful music, wonderful songs – no intermission, an hour and 45 minutes.? Definitely a right- and left-brained play.? It is sticking with me.