Merrily We Roll Along

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.

Now Back on Broadway!

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
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    E
    Estimated duration
    5 min 00 sec
    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
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    F
    Estimated duration
    2 min 40 sec
    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)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Arranged by
    SEBESKY, DON
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (Instrumental)
    Arranged for
    INSTRUMENTAL
    Starting Key
    A♭
    Estimated duration
    1 min 45 sec
    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
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 2 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    6 min 25 sec
    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
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    3 min 25 sec
    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
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 2 MALE VOICES, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    G
    Estimated duration
    6 min 52 sec
    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
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 2 MALE VOICES, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    5 min 55 sec
    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")
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Estimated duration
    5 min 22 sec
  • OVERTURE (FROM "MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG")
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    Instrumental
    Starting Key
    E♭
    Estimated duration
    3 min 22 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) FULL SCORE; (3x) REED 1: Piccolo, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet; (1x) REED 2: Oboe; (3x) REED 3: Piccolo, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet; (2x) REED 4: Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet; (2x) REED 5: Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet; (1x) HORN; (1x) TRUMPET 1; (1x) TRUMPET 2; (1x) TRUMPET 3; (1x) TROMBONE; (1x) TUBA; (1x) TIMPANI; (3x) PERCUSSION: Xylophone, Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone, "Latin Stuff"; (1x) DRUM SET; (1x) GUITAR; (1x) PIANO; (6x) CELLO; (1x) BASS: Electric

  • RICH AND HAPPY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    CHORUS (Featured Solos)
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    8 min 20 sec
    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

Resources

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Transpositions On Demand

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Questions & Answers

April 04, 2023
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Related shows or resources: Merrily We Roll Along
Revival - restricted rights?

Will rights be restricted with the upcoming revival, or is this show available for licensing to university MT programs in the 2023-24 school year? (My school is in Indiana)

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December 22, 2019
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Related shows or resources: Merrily We Roll Along
Is there any small orchestration avaliable?
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September 16, 2016
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Related shows or resources: Merrily We Roll Along
Is it the revival version of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG that you offer?
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