‘Merrily We Roll Along’ delivers a lasting impression

Peppermint Creek Theatre Co. has never shied away from a challenge, and its decision to open the 2022-‘23 season with the musical “Merrily We Roll Along” continues that tradition. “Merrily” is about three best friends who splinter apart as one of them trades artistic integrity for popular success. Frank (James Curtis) and Charley (Josh Martin) are lifelong friends who settle in New York City in 1957 with hopes of writing musicals that can inspire change in the world. They meet Mary (Dinah DeWald), an inspiring writer who immediately understands their vision, and the three become pinky-swear besties. 

All good things must come to an end, though, and the trio is slowly torn apart over the next two decades as Frank makes one bad, selfish decision after another. Frank is a weak-willed people-pleaser who chooses to please the wrong people. 

This musical has an interesting history, and it may benefit audiences to research the work before attending. With the powerhouse duo of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince driving the production, “Merrily” would seemingly be a sure-fire hit. However, when it debuted on Broadway in 1981, the musical was panned and closed after 16 performances.  

Part of the issue may have been in the story’s structure, which is told in reverse. The play opens with the spectacular disaster of a 1970s Hollywood elite party during which Mary and Frank end their friendship. Working backward, we see how Frank destroys key relationships as he is seduced by success, money and women.  

While the backwards storytelling might be a bit confusing for some, it is extremely effective in driving home the heartbreak of the outcome. The final scene is one of youthful naïve optimism as Frank, Charley and Mary commit to supporting each other in artistic pursuit, made all the more poignant knowing what is to come in their lives.  

The opening number clearly lays out a key theme about recognizing when one’s life goes astray as it asks, “How did you get to be here/What was the moment?” As the story unwinds, we learn there isn’t one moment but a host of chances and choices that lead to one’s downfall.  

Although the entire cast is solid, there are several performances of note. Perhaps the single most challenging song is “Franklin Shephard, Inc.” Martin absolutely kills during this fast and furious number, as Charley eviscerates Frank on a live talk show. As the Broadway diva Gussie Carnegie, Meghan Malusek is stunning and cunning. Curtis is a perfect Frank, handsome and charming yet clearly vulnerable to the wrong influences.  

Special mention must be made of Kate Koskinen’s amazing costuming, particularly the period dresses that the female cast enjoys. Eye candy of that quality perfectly balances the sparse set. 

“Merrily We Roll Along” didn’t spawn any hit songs that leave one humming on the way to the car, and it may be a challenge to endure two and a half hours in a plastic folding chair. For those who want a story to digest long after the experience, though, Peppermint Creek’s production delivers.