Are you a Sondheim fanatic? Do you know one? If so, both of you won't want to miss a chance to hear noted local theater director Martin Friedman talk about one of Sondheim's most-beloved musicals, Merrily We Roll Along. Details below. *NIGHTTOWN KICKS OFF MASTER CLASS SERIES* *Master Class at Nighttown* *“Deconstructing” Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along* 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 11 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------- *About Merrily We Roll Along (from Wikipedia):* *Merrily We Roll Along* is a musical with a book by George Furth and lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim. It is based on the 1934 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Furth and Sondheim retained the basic structure and overall theme of the play but updated it to encompass the period from 1957 to 1976. The story revolves around Franklin Shepard who, having once been a talented composer of Broadway musicals, has now abandoned his friends and his songwriting career to become a producer of Hollywood movies. Like the play, the musical begins at the height of his Hollywood fame and moves backwards in time, showing snapshots of the most important moments in Frank's life that shaped the man that he is today. The musical utilizes a chorus that sings reprises of the title song to transition the scenes. The musical ran on Broadway for 52 previews and 16 performances in 1981. For more information: Bruce Hennes, bhennes@gmail.com