*Lakeland Civic Theatre* *Lakeland Community College* 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, Ohio 44094 *PRESS RELEASE: Immediately* *CONTACT: Dr. Martin Friedman, **216-233-5441* <216-233-5441> *RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2018* *Lakeland Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along* Lakeland’s 2017-18 season concludes with the passionate and oft-misunderstood musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth *Merrily We Roll Along *which opens on *February 2, 2018 *and runs for three weeks at Lakeland Community College’s Rodehorst Performing Arts Center. *Merrily. Merrily *isdirected by Martin Friedman and under the Musical Direction of by Jordan Cooper. *Merrily We Roll Along, *was first produced in 1981, and is based on a 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The musical (with a book by George Furth) was first produced in November of 1981, where it ran for 16 performances. Not very successful eh? It tells of the disintegration of the friendship of successful songwriter Franklin Shepard, his lyricist and best friend Charlie Kringas, and novelist Mary Flynn. The action moves backward through time, from 1976 to 1957. This is one of Stephen Sondheim’s most accessible and difficult scores. It is most certainly about friendship and its importance in the lives of three people. This is one great play. Merrily We Roll Along features sets by Austin Kilpatrick, lights by Adam Ditzel, sound by Eric Simna, choreography by Jennifer Justice and costumes by Ohio Shakespeare designer Kelsey Tomlinson. This production promises a terrific cast featuring Eric Fancher, Neeley Gevaart and Amiee Collier. Concluding his eighteenth season at Lakeland Civic Theatre, director Martin Friedman also continues his examination of the works of Stephen Sondheim. Call 440-525-7526 for ticket reservations and information about group discounts. For production information please email Martin Friedman at martinfriedman98@gmail.com and you can order tickets on-line at www.lakelandcc.edu. *Merrily We Roll Along*: *February 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 16 @ 7:30pm and 4, 10 and 17 @ 2:00 pm. * There will also be a “lecture” at Cleveland Height’s landmark, Nighttown, on Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along on Monday January 8 and 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm. *NIGHTTOWN KICKS OFF MASTER CLASS SERIES* In February, Dr. Martin Friedman, well-known in Cleveland theater circles for frequently directing Stephen Sondheim musicals, will direct Sondheim’s *Merrily We Roll Along* at Lakeland Civic Theater, a professional production featuring some of Cleveland’s best-known actors. But in January, *Merrily* comes to the Nighttown stage when Friedman, adjunct theater professor at Lakeland Community College and Baldwin Wallace, will deliver a “Master Class” on why this musical that so many thought was destined for success flopped on Broadway after only 16 performances – and why over the last 30 years it’s become one of Sondheim’s most beloved musicals. The Nighttown “Master Class” includes music director Jordan Cooper and Lakeland cast members performing several songs from *Merrily*. Other Master Class programs at Nighttown, with similar formats and different directors, will be announced soon. *Master Class at Nighttown: “Deconstructing” Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along* will premiere on January 8 at 7:00 pm and repeat on January 22. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved online at www.nighttowncleveland.com. *”Merrily” Highlights from City Center Encores* <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aF_WuZurPU> - 30 -
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