Putting It Together

There are four easily accessible recordings of Merrily We Roll Along . Lyricist and filmmaker Jake Nielsen joins Kyle to go through each of them and discuss the highs and lows of each. Jake has a writing partner, Matt, and their website is: https://www.jakeandmatt.com.au/ We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Original Broadway Cast (1981) starring Jim...

A handful of songs were written for Merrily We Roll Along but eventually cut. This episode focuses on three of those: Darling, Thank You For Coming, and Honey. Edward Crouse joins Kyle to discuss why they were cut and whether they should have been. You can read one of Edward's film essays here: eatdrinkfilms.com/2015/06/18/frameline39-the-longing-view-the-royal-road You can hear Edward playing bas...

In the original production this song provided the bookends to the show. Chris Dockum returns to discuss why it was a mistake to remove it from the beginning and how it musically sets up the show. You can follow Chris on Twitter : https://twitter.com/TheChrisDockum You can listen to his podcast, Just Meaningful Plastic , here: https://bit.ly/2TvPu9b We are using three productions to frame our discu...

Annie Golden was in the first production of Assassins. But she's also had a career in film, television, and on-stage. Annie performs on the latest edition of Sondheim Unplugged. Sondheim Unplugged: Volume 3 is available from Broadway Records or wherever you get music: https://www.broadwayrecords.com/products/sondheim-unplugged-the-nyc-sessions-volume-3-two-cd-set Send feedback to puttingittogether...

The characters are young and hopeful about the future, but we the audience know exactly how their lives are going to turn out. Emily Clark returns to discuss that dramatic irony as well as hanging plaques. You can listen to the podcast Emily co-hosts called Dear Friends Podcast : https://dearfriendspodcast.carrd.co She hosts Stealing Focus on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Divinemissem82 And you...

It's a mini-play near the end of Act 2 that shows a group of passionate artists just trying to scrape by and hoping for a big break. Tyler Joseph Ellis thinks he can relate as he joins Kyle to talk about opening doors and songs you can hum. You can follow Tyler on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tylerjosephellis/?hl=en Or on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@tylerjosephellis We are using thre...

Let's get into the weeds about the Kennedy family. Karen Unland returns to the podcast to discuss American dynasties, and how Sondheim uses references effectively in this song. You can follow Karen on Twitter : https://twitter.com/KarenUnland And you can listen to her new podcast called Bloom here: https://bloom.taprootedmonton.ca/ We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily...

A beautiful song about relationships. But is this also about Charlie and Frank? Matt Steele returns to offer his opinions and tells why this is in his own audition book. You can learn more about Divos! here: https://www.divosthemovie.com You can follow Matt on Twitter : https://twitter.com/ItsMattSteele And on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/itsmattsteele/ We are using three productions to f...

Greta Gerwig's film LADY BIRD has the main character audition for Merrily We Roll Along. Sam Herriman joins Kyle to discuss the movie, the relationship it has to Sondheim's musical, and the deeper connections to Sondheim it has. Follow Sam on Twitter : https://twitter.com/samherriman Or on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/samherriman/ We are using three productions to frame our discussion of...

"The Blob" is filled with sycophants, but also taste makers. Erik Stadnik returns to discuss the purpose of this scene within the show and whether it's justified to have Gussie play the villain. Erik's podcast So Much Stuff to Sing : https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com Erik's Twitter : https://twitter.com/sjcAustenite Erik's Prague Blog : http://erikspragueblog.blogspot.com Get tickets for We're...

Merrily We Roll Along certainly wasn't a hit in its original run. Within the show Frank and Charlie get early success and are giddy about it. Michael Price returns to discuss Jason Alexander, being excited about success, and the section of this song that's been cut from current productions. You can follow Michael on Twitter : https://twitter.com/mikepriceinla Get tickets for We're Gonna Be All Rig...

Maybe the moon is cheese? Shannon Dohar returns to try and make sense of how Act 2 of Merrily We Roll Along starts. You can listen to Shannon's podcast, So Much Stuff to Sing , here: https://somuchstufftosing.libsyn.com And you can follow Shannon on Twitte r: https://twitter.com/sdohar We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Original Broadway Cast (1981...

Jim Walton was the original Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along. He talks with Kyle about getting to New York, landing this iconic role, and his career since then. You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Original Broadway Cast (1981...

Ann Morrison originated the role of Mary Flynn in Merrily We Roll Along . She joins Kyle to discuss how she got to audition for both Hal Prince and Stephen Sondheim, the heartbreak of closing, and how she's turned all of that into a new show. Find out more about what Ann is up to by going to her website : https://www.annmorrison.net/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finish...

Ted Chapin literally wrote the book on Follies! He joins Kyle to discuss the show that had such a formative impact on him, and gets into the new afterword that's been included in the latest reissue. You can purchase Everything Was Possible here: https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Was-Possible-Musical-Follies/dp/1493065327/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat...

Terry Finn played the role of Gussie in the original production of Merrily We Roll Along. She talks to Kyle about coming to New York, being cast in the show, and what she did after it closed. You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using three productions to frame our discussion of Merrily We Roll Along. The Origin...

Frank's old friends give him advice, but his new friends persuade him to choose a different path. Nathan Beary Blustein joins Kyle to discuss the end of Act One, and what exactly is happening musically in this song. You can find out more about Nathan , by going to his website : https://www.nathanbearyblustein.com/ Or follow him on TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@rhapsodyinblu You can purchase Ste...

"Not a Day Goes By" appears twice in the show, but its meaning is vastly different. Christine Chen returns to discuss how the song also changes whether it's Frank or Beth who sings it, and why Mary should have been given more to do in this show. Christine's Blog : https://acrossthearch.wordpress.com Christine's Twitter : https://twitter.com/AcrossTheArch Christine's podcast, Bottomless Broadway :...

Should Frank abandon his old friends like his old dreams? Maybe that's what old friends are all about. Lucas Rougeux returns to figure out if Gussie is the villain and the best way someone should grow up. You can see more of Lucas' work on his website : https://ljrart.squarespace.com You can also follow him on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lucas.j.rougeux/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim...

Frank, Charlie, and Mary get on the same page, at least for a while. Ashley Pribyl returns to the show to discuss whose side she's on and why her old friends are so important to her. You can purchase the essay collection Sondheim in Our Time and His here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/sondheim-in-our-time-and-his-9780197603208?cc=ca&lang=en& Follow Ashley on Twitter : https://twi...

Frank and Charlie's relationship implodes. Richard Brown joins Kyle to discuss the fun rhymes, the hidden meanings, and old tuna commercials. You can follow Richard on Twitter : https://twitter.com/rfbrownwards Or Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/rfbrownwards/ Or checkout the podcast he frequently guests on, Full Cast and Crew : https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/fullcastandcrew You c...

Doesn't everyone want to go back to how it was? Adrianna Boris returns to discuss being drunk, using metaphors, and the effects of nostalgia. You can follow Adrianna on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mrswillshakes/ Or Twitter : https://twitter.com/mrswillshakes/ You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are using...

There are seven transitions in Merrily We Roll Along and each of them is different! Colm Molloy returns to discuss how they work within the narrative of the show and why they're necessary. You can check out Colm on Twitter : https://twitter.com/colmmolloy_/ Or Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/colmmolloy_/ Or even his website here: http://colmmolloy.com You can even listen to his music on: His...

A new production of Side by Side by Sondheim is happening at the Triad Theater in New York. Producer and performer Vanessa Paradis , director Geoffrey Doig-Marx , and performer (plus former Sondheim pen pal) Mardie Millit join Kyle to discuss how they got to be here. You can find ticket information at the Triad Theater here: https://www.instantseats.com/?fuseaction=home.artist&VenueID=526&...

Mark Murphy accidentally started a career in theatre. Not on-stage, but the actual construction of sets. He joins Kyle to tell how he combined his love of creating things and his love of music together. You can follow Mark on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/MarkcrocMurphy You can purchase Stephen Sondheim's first book of lyrics, Finishing the Hat , by going here: https://amzn.to/2LB9ZJo We are u...