Randuwa II: Signature Theatre: Merrily We Roll Along

Another Sondheim Triumph for Signature Theatre further ensconcing their well deserved and painstakingly earned title of the #1 regional theatre company for Sondheim productions. What the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in London is for the old Bard, Signature is for America's greatest modern creator of musical theatre. Based on a play written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart in 1934, it is the story of three friends told in reverse chronological order. More than a gimmick, it's a window into a world with a Happy Beginning--which is the musical's ending.

When it was originally produced on Broadway in 1981. It was a legendary FLOP!--closing after only 16 performances. A pair of revivals: one off-Broadway in 1994, and the other in the West End in London in 2000, breathed new life into the show and became the impetus for a new Broadway Production that premiered in 2023. It was feted at the Tony's in the category of Revival of a Musical and won all sorts of awards for the production, actors, orchestration. What Audiences (all 60 of them: 44 in previews, and 16 during the run) didn't get in 1981; the world has come to not only understand, but love in 2026.

The cast was made up of A-list actors from the leads down to the swings, and a trio of local favorites had the rolls of Charlie Gringas (Jake Loewenthal), Gussie Carnegie (Maria Rizzo) and Jo Josephson (James Whalen). Joining Jake in the Friends Trio were Jason Gotay (as Franklin Shepard) and Melanie Field (as Mary Flynn). When every gem is a diamond, what do you choose to place in the jewelry shop window?

Let's start with Jake Loewenthal. His performance as the disgruntled sidekick was amazing. He elevated the smallest opportunity to a spotlight moment. His delivery of the song "Franklin Shepherd, Inc." received the greatest intra-show applause of the evening and well deservedly so! All three of the principals were terrific, and each had their own dynamic moments, but Jake just gave it that ounce more of magic.

Next up, the Ensemble. As much as I enjoyed all the solos, duets, trios, etc. it was the ensemble pieces with the carefully coordinated choreography and precise vocal timing that brought me to the edge of my seat time and again. It was like watching a well oiled machine execute a complex maneuver effortlessly. Kudos to: Joel Ashur, Ben Beckley, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Eric Easter, Jonah Ho'Okano, Stephen Russell Murray, Beatrice Owens, Sarah Anne Sillers, and Alondra Trinidad-Colon. While it is a sort of trademark of a Sondheim show to weave a tale where the total is greater than the sum of its parts, this production brought that old adage to life in real time flesh and blood.

Finally, the dressings. The set was both beautiful and supremely functional at the same time. The Costumes were sumptuous drivers of the chronological reverse movement from 1976 back to 1957. Shout outs to both Wilson Chin for the Scenic Design and Ivania Stack for the Costumes. The pic orchestra was also a joy, and honestly, after last evening, I think the overture to Merrily is now my favorite from all of Sondheim's shows.

I have no doubt that had I had the opportunity to see Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliff and Lindsay Mendez perform this show on Broadway, it would have been wonderful! But I don't feel like what I experienced with Jason Gotay, Jake Loewenthal and Melanie Fields in the lead was one iota less wonderful. Because it was!

Jason Gotay as Franklin, Melanie Fields as Mary and Jake Loewenthal as Charles performing "Old Friends"

The company performing "Merrily We Roll Along".

Members of the company. Jason Gotay as Franklin Shepherd standing on the piano center. L-R: Sophia Early, [unknown], Eric Easter, Jake Loewenthal, Alondra Trinidad-Colon, Maria Rizzo (as Gussie Carnegie), James Whalen (as Joe Josephson), Melanie Fields, Beatrice Owens, Kerstin Anderson (as Beth Shepherd), Joel Ashur, [unknown], and Stephen Russell Murray