I love Sondheim.  Let's just get that out of the way.  I adore him and I adore his musicals.  Sunday in the Park (which opens tonight in a spectacular new production at The Roundabout) changed my life as a young man and made me realize the potential of theater.  I used to listen to my CD of Passion so much that I wore it out.  I adored the latest, bloody, film version of Sweeney Todd.  I am a fan.  An enthusiast.  A Sond-o-phile.  However, I am beginning to feel overwhelmed.  Do we really need another revival of a Stephen Sondheim show on Broadway? 

Word began leaking yesterday that The Roundabout Theater Company is in plans (some say the deal is already done) to revive Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along.  Merrily, originally produced in 1981, has music and lyrics by Mr. Sondheim and a book by George Furth.  Theatrical historians may recall that the production was a FLOP, but that fans and music theater lovers have embraced the show ever since.  It has a TON of great songs.  "Not a Day Goes By" is a brilliant song and I am particularly in love with "Our Time".   Songs on this album make me weep (I am sure that this does not shock you).  The original production was directed by Hal Prince, but it looks as if James Lapine would direct this revival.

Merrily is semi-famous for being the Sondheim show that "doesn't work" (others opinions, not mine).  It has a slightly tricky structure.  The show is about artists and we see their lives played out from "the end" to "the beginning".  I don't find it confusing in theory, but I have never seen a production.  Over the years (since the show flopped on B'way) there has been much tinkering with the structure and script.  Please note: when this show is produced there will be A LOT of discussion about this (you thought that there was a lot of kvetching about Patti LuPone in Gypsy last summer - YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET).  Ok, back to the original subject...too much Sondheim.

As much as I would love to go see this revival - I have to say - SLOW DOWN.  In recent years we have had MAJOR revivals of Sweeney, Company, Sunday in the Park, Into the Woods, Assassins and a filmed version of Sweeney on top of it all (oh, and not to mention Gypsy).  The revivals are flying down the rialto at a furious speed.  "Duck, it's another Sondheim musical!"  "Watch out!"

I get it.  They are great shows.  People definitely want to see them.  But, heck, there are other writers out there - let's take a step back and make a plan.  Slow down.  Don't use all the Sondheim shows up.  Give some other folks a chance.  Sometimes I think The Broadway is a little short sighted.  What will we do in a year or two?  Just start all over again?  It will be non-stop Sondheim revivals for the rest of our lives.  No, I don't think so.  We need to a) cultivate new artists and produce their work b) we need explore some other writers work that may have been overlooked in recent decades.  I don't know who that may be - but there have to be a few.  No?  I am not saying we shouldn't produce Sondheim's shows - I am just suggesting that we don't need to do ALL of them at once!  Alright.  I will shut up now.  Step off my high horse.  But let me know what you think?  Any opinions out there?  Comments are welcome. (Shout out to gdl918 and AHMOM I know you have some opinions, no?) 

Side Note: Please be gentle with me a year from now when I am uber excited about Merrily opening on The Broadway.  I will be a HUGE hypocrite.  You can call me a hypocrite - just, please, do it gently. Thank you.

Before I go - just a few quick links for you to enjoy.  CLICK HERE to check out a quick article on CNN about Kristin Chenoweth prepping for her big night on the Oscars.  And CLICK HERE to check out the NYPost gossip on Passing Strange - the new B'way musical starring Stew.  Michael Riedel talks about the young downtown artists mixing with the Broadway establishment while getting this musical up on Broadway.  It is very funny.  Check it out.  That's it for me.  Have a great day and I will...

~ See You On The Aisle