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

Concert Selections are original Broadway orchestrations and exciting new symphonic arrangements of select songs for use in concert performances. Concert Selections are the perfect way to give audiences a taste of the musical theatre experience without the sets, props and costumes.

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 Synthesizerm 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
1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Bass Clarinet, 1 Reed 5, 1 Horn , 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 1 Guitar, 1 Keyboard 1, 1 Keyboard 2, 2 Piano/Conductor
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
1 Reed 1(Clarinet), 2 Reed 2(Oboe), 1 Reed 3(Clarinet), 1 Reed 4(Bass Clarinet), 2 Reed 5(Bassoon), 1 Horn, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 2 Percussion, 1 Guitar, 1 Keyboard 1(Piano), 1 Keyboard 2, 2 Piano Conductor, 3 Chorus books
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
1 Reed 1(flute), 1 Reed 2(english horn), 1 Reed 3(Clarinet), 1 Reed 4(bass clarinet), 1 Reed 5(clarinet), 1 Horn, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Trombone, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, Percussion, 1 Guitar, 1 Keyboard 1(piano), 2 Piano Conductor, 2 Chorus books
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
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

Show Essentials

Book by

George Furth

Music and Lyrics by

Stephen Sondheim

Full Billing

Songs

Merrily We Roll Along

That Frank

Franklin Shepard, Inc.

Old Friends

Growing Up

Not A Day Goes By

Now You Know

Act Two Opening

It's A Hit!

The Blob

Good Thing Going

Not A Day Goes By - Act 2

Opening Doors

Our Time

Full Song List

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Questions & Answers

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By XXXX157890

December 22, 2019

Is there any small orchestration avaliable?

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See 1 answer

By Uncle Brad

September 16, 2016

Is it the revival version of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG that you offer?

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See 1 answer

Callboard

Putting It Together

Pieces of a Puzzle: The Shows of Putting It Together

In honor of the Sondheim revue's 20th anniversary, check out the shows it features

Filichia Features

Filichia Features: Merrily We Age Along

Peter offers some insight on a Merrily We Roll along casting conundrum.

Filichia Features

Filichia Features: The Best and Worst of Times for Merrily We Roll Along

Stephen Sondheim has always loved New York, and, for the most part, Gotham has returned the love. Broadway’s greatest composer-lyricist who turns 85 this week has been a New York presence since his lyrics for WEST SIDE STORY reached Broadway in ...

Hey Old Friend… Join some of the Great White Way’s most talented performers as 54 Below honors this great Stephen Sondheim score for one night only! It may have only run for a few weeks, but Merrily We Roll Along continues to fascinate & ...

Merrily We Roll Along

Concert Selections for Merrily We Roll Along

Show Essentials

Songs

Merrily We Roll Along

That Frank

Franklin Shepard, Inc.

Old Friends

Growing Up

Not A Day Goes By

Now You Know

Act Two Opening

It's A Hit!

The Blob

Good Thing Going

Not A Day Goes By - Act 2

Opening Doors

Our Time

Cost Estimator

Upcoming

Similar Shows

Tags

Community Marketplace

Explore

Resources

Questions & Answers

Is there any small orchestration avaliable?

Is it the revival version of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG that you offer?

Pieces of a Puzzle: The Shows of Putting It Together

Filichia Features: Merrily We Age Along

Filichia Features: The Best and Worst of Times for Merrily We Roll Along

Filichia Features: Happy Birthday, Stephen Sondheim

54 Sings MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG - Exclusive MTI Discount Offer!