Merrily We Roll Along

1979 or 1980 Backers Audition Full Show Audience

Hal Prince, Stephen Sondheim

Merrily We Roll Along (1979; Backers Audition) [ID2949202] Copy + Request

Mar 20, 1980 Broadway Cast Party Full Show Audience

Stephen Sondheim (Franklin Shepard)

NoteAt Lonny Price’s 21st birthday party, he hosted the cast at his apartment for a small celebration. On a whim, he invited Hal Prince—never expecting him to actually show up. But to Lonny’s surprise, Hal not only came, he brought Stephen Sondheim with him. They all gathered in Lonny’s room, where he had a piano, and Sondheim sat down to play a few songs from the show—many of them for the cast for the very first time. Just before they began, Lonny hit record.

Merrily We Roll Along (1980-03-20; Broadway Cast Party) [ID2951346] Copy + Request

Sep 26, 1981 Broadway Rehearsals Songs Only Audience

James Weissenbach (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), Jim Walton (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Steven Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), David Shiner (Les), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteAudio features songs only, recorded during rehearsals. Includes several differences from the final version, such as cut numbers like “The Blob,” “Darling!,” and “Honey,” along with the original first and third transitions and many alternate lyrics. James Weissenbach is heard as Frank, before being replaced by Jim Walton during previews. Accompaniment is piano and percussion only. Audio quality is very clear.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-09-26; Broadway Rehearsals [Songs Only]) [ID2951347] Copy + Request

Oct 8, 1981 1st Preview Incomplete Audience

James Weissenbach (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), Jim Walton (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Steven Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), David Shiner (Les), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteDigitized from a private tape, this is Act One plus some of Act Two. Missing the beginning of the Transition to from 1973 to 1968 because of a tape flip. Contains bout 40-45 minutes of Act Two.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-10-08; Broadway - 1st Preview [Incomplete]) [ID2951348] Copy + Request

Oct 9, 1981 2nd Preview Full Show Audience

James Weissenbach (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), Jim Walton (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Steven Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), David Shiner (Les), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteThe only audio in circulation of the original Franklin Shepard, played by James Weissenbach before he was fired and replaced with Jim. This audio is a good representation of why he was replaced.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-10-09; Broadway - 2nd Preview) [ID2949203] Copy + Request

Oct 12, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

James Weissenbach (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), Jim Walton (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Steven Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), David Shiner (Les), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteFifth preview. Complete show, digitized from two master cassettes. Unfortunately, the B sides of the cassettes are in surprisingly worse quality, but the entire recording is still very much listenable. By this point in previews, Darling! has been cut.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-10-12; Broadway - Preview) [ID2951349] Copy + Request

Oct 17, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

James Weissenbach (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

Note11th preview; Jim Walton had not yet replaced James Weissenbach, who sounds a lot more confident here than he does on the earlier preview recordings. Act I cuts off at the end of Old Friends, and the recording is missing the rest of act I. Act II is complete, but the sound quality shifts every time the tape is flipped (i.e. about every 30-40 minutes). Limited trades.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-10-17; Broadway - Preview - Matinee [Incomplete]) [ID2951350] Copy + Request

Oct 26, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-10-26; Broadway - Preview) [ID2951351] Copy + Request

Nov 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson)

NoteThis audio is from a midpoint in previews. It sometimes circulates with a date of Oct. 18, 1981, but most think that date may be incorrect and that the recording is from a bit later. This audio suffers from a lot of generation loss but is generally clear. Much of the show has been poorly transferred from the original audio tape, and the pitch/speed is lower than it was originally recorded. Furthermore, tracks at the end of the tape such as Now You Know and the Curtain Calls have many bursts of static and are nearly unlistenable. This is from a preview performance, and is dated after the earlier video of the broadway cast (~October 18), but prior to the November opening.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981; Broadway - Midpoint Preview) [ID2949204] Copy + Request

Nov 2, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

Note29th preview; Honey and The Blob were still in the show at this point, and the character of Old Frank had not yet been added.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-02; Broadway - Preview) [ID2951352] Copy + Request

Nov 9, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteRecorded from the audience, transferred from master cassette. Original rescheduled opening date (which was again postponed to November 16th). Final performance with Jim Walton as both young and old Frank, with Geoffrey Horne entering the role at the next performance.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-09; Broadway - Preview) [ID2951353] Copy + Request

Nov 10, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteRecorded from the audience on the 38th preview. First performance with Geoffrey Horne in as Old Frank.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-10; Broadway - Preview) [ID2951354] Copy + Request

Nov 15, 1981 Preview Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteFinal preview, recorded from the front row behind the conductor so the orchestra is very present. Very responsive audience.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-15; Broadway - Final Preview) [ID2951355] Copy + Request

Nov 16, 1981 Opening Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteTransferred directly from possibly master copy of cassette.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-16; Broadway - Opening) [ID2951356] Copy + Request

Nov 25, 1981 Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson)

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-25; Broadway) [ID2949205] Copy + Request

Nov 28, 1981 Closing Full Show Audience

Jim Walton (Franklin Shepard), Geoffrey Horne (Franklin Shepard Age 43), Lonny Price (Charley Kringas), Ann Morrison (Mary Flynn), Terry Finn (Gussie Carnegie), Sally Klein (Beth Spencer), Jason Alexander (Joe Josephson), Daisy Prince (Meg Kincaid), David Cardy (Jerome), Mary Johansen (Mrs. Spencer), Donna Marie Elio (Terry), Paul Hyams (Mr. Spencer), Stephen Jacob (Photographer), Abby Pogrebin (Evelyn), Forest D Ray (Ru), Marc Moritz (Talk Show Host), Tonya Pinkins (Gwen Wilson), Liz Callaway (Waitress), Mana Allen (Auditionee), David Loud (Ted), James Bonkovsky (George), Giancarlo Esposito (Valedictorian), Maryrose Wood (Ms. Gordon), Clark Sayre (Sound Man), Gary Stevens (Waiter), Tom Shea (Bartender)

NoteTransferred from cassette. Very emotional final performance; the audience erupts in applause on Jason Alexanders line You'd better hurry in if you want to see the closing. I didnt mean the CLOSING!, and you can hear the ensemble stifling tears during the final chorus of Hills of Tomorrow. Includes a track of TV reviews.

Merrily We Roll Along (1981-11-28; Broadway - Closing) [ID2951357] Copy + Request

Jun 1985 Full Show Sound System

John Rubenstien (Franklin Shephard), Chip Zien (Charley Kringas), Heather McRae (Mary Flynn), Marin Mazzie (Beth), Mary Gordan Murray (Gussie), Merwin Goldsmith (Joe), Joy Franz (Terry), B. J. Ward (Kate), Lawernce Walker (Jerome), Rosalyn Rahn (Dory)

Merrily We Roll Along (1985-06; La Jolla Playhouse) [ID2949206] Copy + Request

Date unknown Tech Rehearsal Full Show Audience

Victor Garber (Franklin Shephard), David Garrison (Charley Kringas), Betty Ann Baker (Mary Flynn), Marin Mazzie (Beth), Mary Gordan Murray (Gussie), Richard Bauer (Joe), Ruth Williamson (Terry), Tom Hewitt (Scotty)

Note"Franklin Shephard, Inc." and "Bobby and Jackie and Jack" are incomplete.

Merrily We Roll Along (1990-01, Arena Stage - Tech Rehearsal) [ID2949208] Copy + Request

1994 Full Show Audience

Malcolm Gets (Franklin Shephard), Adam Heller (Charley Kringas), Amy Rider (Mary Flynn), Anne Bobby (Beth), Michele Pawk (Gussie), Paul Hardman (Joe), Adrianne Lennox (Terry), Rick Crom (Scotty)

Merrily We Roll Along (1994; York Theatre) [ID2949209] Copy + Request

2000 Full Show Audience

Deborah Poplett (Beth), Evan Pappas (Charley), Simon Green (Frank), Claire Moore (Gussie), Michael Simkins (Joe), Gillian Bevan (Mary), Julie Armstrong (Ensemble), Neale Birch (Ensemble), Thom Booker (Ensemble), Karen Broughton (Ensemble), Keith Burns (Ensemble), Maurice Clarke (Ensemble), Hilary Cromie (Ensemble), Ian Dring (Ensemble), Susie Fenwick (Ensemble), Don Gallagher (Ensemble), Michael Gyngell (Ensemble), Paul Hegarty (Ensemble), Margaret Houston (Ensemble), Glyn Kerslake (Ensemble), Beverley Klein (Ensemble), Martyn Knight (Ensemble), Deirdre Laird (Ensemble), Aline Mowat (Ensemble), Becky Norman (Ensemble), Siobhan O’Kane (Ensemble), Tony Pedretti (Ensemble), Caroline Quentin (Ensemble), Matthew Ryan (Ensemble), Caroline Sargeant (Ensemble), Jennifer Scott-Malden (Ensemble), Dawn Spence (Ensemble), Michelle Todd (Ensemble)

NoteA charity gala evening tribute to Stephen Sondheim featuring a concert version of Merrily We Roll Along and special guest artists.

Merrily We Roll Along (1988-03-27; London Concert) [ID2949207] Copy + Request

Feb 24, 2001 Full Show Audience

Julian Ovenden (Franklin Shephard), Daniel Evans (Charley Kringas), Samantha Spiro (Mary Flynn), Mary Stockley (Beth), Anna Francolini (Gussie), Grant Russell (Franklin Shephard), age 43)

Merrily We Roll Along (2001-02-24; Donmar Warehouse Revival) [ID2949210] Copy + Request

Aug 9, 2002 Full Show Audience

Michael Hayden (Franklin Shephard), Raúl Esparza (Charley Kringas), Miriam Shor (Mary Flynn), Anastasia Barzee (Beth), Emily Skinner (Gussie)

Merrily We Roll Along (2002-08-09; Kennedy Center Celebration) [ID2949211] Copy + Request

Oct 2007 Full Show Audience

Will Gartshore (Franklin Shephard), Erik Liberman (Charley Kringas), Tracy Lynn Olivera (Mary Flynn), Bayla Whitten (Beth), Tory Ross (Gussie), Christopher Bloch (Joe)

Merrily We Roll Along (2007-10; Signature Theatre) [ID2949212] Copy + Request

Feb 9, 2012 Full Show Audience

Colin Donnell (Franklin Shepard), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Charley Kringas), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mary Flynn), Betsy Wolfe (Beth Spencer)

Merrily We Roll Along (2012-02-09; Encores! Concert) [ID2949213] Copy + Request

Mar 24, 2012 Full Show Audience

Malcolm Gets (Franklin Shephard), Daniel Jenkins (Charley Kringas), Becky Ann Baker (Mary Flynn), Jane Pfitsch (Beth), Leeyna Rideout (Gussie)

Merrily We Roll Along (2012-03-24; Playhouse in the Park - Cincinnati) [ID2949214] Copy + Request

Dec 10, 2022 Final Preview WhatTradingCanDo’s Master Full Show Audience

Jonathan Groff (Franklin Shepard), Daniel Radcliffe (Charley Kringas), Lindsay Mendez (Mary Flynn), Krystal Joy Brown (Gussie Carnegie), Katie Rose Clarke (Beth Spencer), Reg Rogers (Joe Josephson), Carter Harris (Frank Jr.), Talia Simone Robinson (Meg Kincaid), Natalie Wachen (K.T.), Vishal Vaidya (Jerome), Corey Mach (Tyler/Make-Up Artist), Sherz Aletaha (Mrs. Spencer/Scotty/Auditionee), Jacob Keith Watson (Terry/Mr. Spencer), Brian Sears (Bunker/Photographer/Newscaster), Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Evelyn/Dory), Christian Strange (Ru/Reverend), Leana Rae Concepcion (Newscaster/Waitress/Auditionee)

Merrily We Roll Along (2022-12-10; New York Theatre Workshop - Final Preview - Evening [WhatTradingCanDo]) [ID2951358] Copy + Request