Fresh Air ‘Merrily We Roll Along,’ From Flop To Hit
Nov 27, 2025
Maria Friedman, a renowned theater director and actress, and Jonathan Groff, a Tony-winning actor and singer, dive deep into the revival of Stephen Sondheim's 'Merrily We Roll Along.' They discuss the emotional highs of opening night, the significance of Sondheim's intricate rhythms, and why reviving a so-called flop is worthwhile. Groff reflects on the youthful hope in ‘Our Time’ and the challenges of conveying deep emotion onstage. Their insights reveal the heart of theater and the mentorship they received from the legendary Sondheim.
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Show Rewritten By Time And Structure
- Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along gained cult status after a notorious 1981 flop and later became a celebrated revival.
- The show's reverse chronology and syncopated score reshape songs' meanings and audience emotional arcs.
Rhythm Driven By Character
- Maria Friedman says Sondheim wrote rhythms driven by character and story rather than musical ornament.
- The score's syncopation reflects emotional edginess and changes as characters move backward toward hope.
Use Pauses As Dramatic Tools
- Jonathan Groff emphasizes using pauses and spaces as performance tools to shape tension and playfulness.
- Maria Friedman instructs actors to treat pauses as alive with dramatic possibility.