Merrily We Roll Along

Sondheim's semi-autobiographical musical turns back the clock on friendship and the high price of success.

The authors of the landmark Company reunite to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head in this thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth expertly blend the excitement and energy of a backstage musical with a poignant and emotional contemporary story about the importance of staying true to one's ideals.

Merrily We Roll Along begins in the present and moves backwards, tracing the lives of wealthy, jaded composer, Franklin Shepard, and his two estranged friends through each milestone of their personal and professional lives (good and bad). The show ends with a touch of rueful irony, as the three best friends at the start of their careers face a bright future: young, talented and enthusiastic about the worlds waiting to be conquered.

Merrily We Roll Along is a modest-sized show that crackles with the wit, humor and intensity that embody the spirit of New York City. With a brilliant "Broadway-style" score and that deep insight one expects from any Sondheim endeavor, Merrily We Roll Along is a spirited and moving cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream.

Full Synopsis Materials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for Merrily We Roll Along

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

FRANKLIN SHEPARD, INC

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
1 MALE VOICE

Starting Key
E

Estimated duration
8 min 20 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 5 Bass, 3 Drum(percussion), 1 Synthesizer, 1 Piano, 2 Piano Conductor
NOT A DAY GOES BY

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE

Starting Key
F

Estimated duration
4 min

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
(1x) Full Score; (2x) Piano/Conductor Score; (2x) Reed 1: Flute, Clarinet; (1x) Reed 2: Clarinet; (2x) Reed 3: Oboe, Tenor Saxophone; (2x) Reed 4: Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone; (1x) Piano; (1x) Synthesizer; (2x) Drums/Percussion: Very Small Triangle, Drum Set; (5x) Bass
NOT A DAY GOES BY (SYMPHONIC SONDHEIM)

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
CONCERT/SYMPHONIC ARRANGEMENT (INSTRUMENTAL)

Arranged for
INSTRUMENTAL

Starting Key
Ab

Estimated duration
2 min 25 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Arranged by
SEBESKY, DON

Instrumentation
1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 1 Oboe, 1 English horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bassoon 1, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 Horn 1, 1 Horn 2, 1 Horn 3, 1 Horn 4, 1 opt.Horn 5, 9 Violin 1, 8 Violin 2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 2 Percussion, 1 Harp, 1 Celete(Piano), 1 Conductor score
OLD FRIENDS

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE, 2 MALE VOICES

Starting Key
G

Estimated duration
10 min 25 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
(1x) Full Score; (4x) Piano/Vocal Score; (2x) Reed 1: Clarinet, Alto Saxophone (one note only); (2x) Reed 2: Clarinet, Alto Saxophone (one note only); (4x) Reed 3: English Horn, Oboe, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone (one note only); (3x) Reed 4: Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone (one note only); (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone; (1x) Piano; (1x) Synthesizer; (2x) Drums/Percussion: Bells, Drum Set; (1x) Bass
OLD FRIENDS / LIKE IT WAS

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE

Starting Key
D

Estimated duration
5 min 25 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
(1x) Full Score; (3x) Piano/Conductor Score; (1x) Reed 1: Flute; (1x) Reed 2: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 3: Clarinet; (1x) Reed 4: Bass Clarinet; (1x) Trumpet 1; (1x) Trumpet 2; (1x) Trumpet 3; (1x) Trombone; (1x) Piano; (1x) Synthesizer; (2x) Drums/Percussion: Bells, Drum Set; (1x) Bass
OPENING DOORS

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE, 2 MALE VOICES, CHORUS

Starting Key
G

Estimated duration
10 min 52 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trumpet 2, 1 Trombone, 5 Bass, 3 Drum(percussion), 1 Synthesizer, 25 Chorus books, 1 Full Score
OUR TIME

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
1 FEMALE VOICE, 2 MALE VOICES, CHORUS

Starting Key
Db

Estimated duration
9 min 15 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
1 Reed 1(Flute), 1 Reed 2(Oboe), 1 Reed 3(Clarinet 1), 1 Reed 4(Clarinet 2), 1 Reed 5(Bassoon), 1 Horn, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 2 Percussion 1&2, 1 Guitar, 1 Keyboard 1, 1 Keyboard 2, 2 Piano Conductor, 25 Chorus books
OVERTURE ("MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG")

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Estimated duration
5 min 22 sec

Music by
STEPHEN SONDHEIM

Orchestrated by
JONATHAN TUNICK

Instrumentation
(3) Reed 1 (Piccolo, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet); (1) Reed 2 (Oboe); (3) Reed 3 (Piccolo, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet); (2) Reed 4 (Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet); (2) Reed 5 (Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet); (1) Horn; (1) Trumpet 1; (1) Trumpet 2; (1) Trumpet 3; (1) Trombone; (1) Tuba; (1) Timpani; (3) Percussion (Xylophone, Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, "Latin Stuff"); (1) Guitar (Electric); (1) Piano; (6) Cello; (1) Bass (Electric)
OVERTURE ("MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG")

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Estimated duration
8 min 42 sec

Music by
Stephen Sondheim

Orchestrated by
Jonathan Tunick
RICH AND HAPPY

From
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

First Performance Fee:
$175
Each Additional Performance:
$100

Type
SHOW EXTRACTION

Arranged for
CHORUS (Featured Solos)

Starting Key
C

Estimated duration
13 min 40 sec

Music by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Lyrics by
SONDHEIM, STEPHEN

Orchestrated by
TUNICK, JONATHAN

Instrumentation
1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Horn, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar, 3 Percussion 1&2, 2 Piano Conductor, 1 Piano, 1 Keyboard 1, 1 Keyboard 2, 25 Chorus books