I LOVE everything about this…. Music, choreography, attention to detail in movement (feet tapping). The actors r clearly enjoying themselves… So Fun‼️‼️
Underrated tune from an underrated show. Love Old Friends slowed down with a sad twist. The Menier version of this song also available on TH-cam is absolutely touching.
I have two old friends and we have all travelled through each of these characters in upholding a lifelong friendship. Sondheim is a social philosopher. 35 years since this musical miraculously defined a threesome who were attached emotionally, sometimes professionally and had unrequited feelings and reelings toward each other. We're "not that close anymore".
I hate that Sondheim gave lyric change rights to franchises of this show. We blew the top of a small community theater then in the 80's in the PA community theatre premiere. Sondheim's reps came to see it and the master himself wrote a very nice letter in congratulations. The original score and lyrics cement the concept he had then when no-name performers took his idea and shook the audiences who really could not grasp these lives moving in backward sequence.
What are you referring to? Sondheim updated the lyrics himself for the revival, as well as writing entirely new songs. There were also a bunch of changes to the original show when they were still in previews.
(I hope my comment didn't come across as confrontational; I was wondering if you're referring to Sondheim's own changes or if there were other changes made by anyone else)
Amazing how much Sondheim could pack into a song to advance the plot. Pure genius! So great to see a top notch cast beautifully render the material. What a lucky audience to experience this at the Kennedy Center so many years ago.
I'm just gonna come right out and say it, Merrily only really makes sense if Charley is gay and in love with Frank and here are some reasons why: 1.What’s the deal with his marriage to Evelyn? He married her at 21, a year after saying he wouldn’t even consider getting married until he was much older, yet he never seems particularly in love with her and she’s very separate from their lives, plus he apparently “tries not to take her sobbing at weddings personally”. 2. “Good Thing Going” is shown to be a love song in Musical Husbands, yet it’s clearly subtextually supposed to be about his and Frank’s relationship throughout the show. 3. Why is he as a married man so comfortable being close and affectionate with his female best friend? 4. People who see Frank as an extraordinary composer generally only seem to believe that because they find him attractive, so what does that say about Charley? 5. Why does he cave to Frank’s requests so often despite him being established as a stubborn and righteous person? 6. Not that platonic friendships can’t be very deep and intense and intimate, but they say “I love you” so much, and never with the qualifier “like a brother”, which is what writers usually do when they want to make their characters very definitively heterosexual! 7. Why is he just so...like that?
This is such shallow thinking. Corroborators in art are indeed very close despite -- they spend hours with each other even in the bathroom. Why must there be a gay attraction. Bromance? Concept is not new. I think they were all in love with each other, but that doesn't mean they were screwing each other.
I find this to be a lot of projection that is in no way supported by the text. Straight men can be friends with women and say "I love you" without being considered "gay." A very... simplified view of sexuality. Charlie isn't gay. If he was, Sondheim would have made it much more clear.
I rewound but regardless knew you weren’t referring to Raul Esparza in that comment. He’s too good for that. He makes this whole Merrily we Roll along video
I came all the way from California to see this production. Loved every minute. My favorite Sondheim show. It's like follies, the older I get the more I understand them.
You ever think about how Charley rests his hand on Frank's shoulder like that and those little glances they exchange and just how clearly personal these lyrics are to Charley
its a damn shame, raul is the superlative charlie performance and michael is just very inconsistent in eveyr regard. singing, cadence, acting, the whole bang.
This song to me always felt like Mary and Charley were so insistent on Frank going on the cruise because they were really worried that if he was left alone he would spiral and possibly kill himself, and I feel like you get that undercurrent of him being emotionally thin-skinned and walking a tightrope throughout the whole show. I wanna be optimistic for how things all work out after the events of the disaster party, but man I don't know...
I love how Frank says the last "right" like he's finally agreeing. Really nice touch. I wish I'd seen this sooner, I would've suggested it for our production
I love the choreography for this song in this production! I love the hats and how in sync everyone is and the perfect chemistry and that cute toe-tapping bit at the beginning with Frank and Charley!
You know, I think almost everything bad in this show could have been avoided if Frank hadn't gotten Beth pregnant and then married her and cheated on her with Gussie and divorced her because then he wouldn't have gone on that cruise that ruined everything and turned him into a money-obsessed sell-out and also he wouldn't have been so desperate for money in the first place cause there would've been no divorce, so he'd be able to focus on his integrity and making good shows with Charley and Mary. Sigh.
Kid, it didn't work as a play in the 30's either. I saw the original Broadway production, and this was one of the few moments that felt as if Sondheim was confident of what he was saying.
God this is so gooood
This is my mother, and I cannot describe how strange it is to see a younger version of her singing on stage like this. Wish I could have seen it live.
VERY important rhythmic bit by Mary at 3:40, her syncopation was a little weak but a great ensemble!
I’ve seen many versions of this show but this is one of my favorites
This performance makes me so happy omg amsnsn
Does anyone have the whole show. This is soooo good!🎶💕
such wonderful memories xoxo
Omg I was looking up this song on TH-cam and landed on your video!!! Hi friend.
I LOVE everything about this…. Music, choreography, attention to detail in movement (feet tapping). The actors r clearly enjoying themselves… So Fun‼️‼️
Underrated tune from an underrated show. Love Old Friends slowed down with a sad twist. The Menier version of this song also available on TH-cam is absolutely touching.
I would have loved to have seen this version!
Too bad about the sweater.
I have two old friends and we have all travelled through each of these characters in upholding a lifelong friendship. Sondheim is a social philosopher. 35 years since this musical miraculously defined a threesome who were attached emotionally, sometimes professionally and had unrequited feelings and reelings toward each other. We're "not that close anymore".
That Raul Esparza played Charly makes sense -- it's a much harder role overall and he can handle any role.
I hate that Sondheim gave lyric change rights to franchises of this show. We blew the top of a small community theater then in the 80's in the PA community theatre premiere. Sondheim's reps came to see it and the master himself wrote a very nice letter in congratulations. The original score and lyrics cement the concept he had then when no-name performers took his idea and shook the audiences who really could not grasp these lives moving in backward sequence.
Oh wow that's why the lyrics are so bad sometimes.
What are you referring to? Sondheim updated the lyrics himself for the revival, as well as writing entirely new songs. There were also a bunch of changes to the original show when they were still in previews.
(I hope my comment didn't come across as confrontational; I was wondering if you're referring to Sondheim's own changes or if there were other changes made by anyone else)
An indelible staging, with plus-perfect performances and extremely cagey directorial choices. The Gold Standard for this show since 2002.
Raul Esparza is genius
Best version ever
Chaaarley, why can't it be like it was?
Amazing how much Sondheim could pack into a song to advance the plot. Pure genius! So great to see a top notch cast beautifully render the material. What a lucky audience to experience this at the Kennedy Center so many years ago.
Loved that Kennedy Center Sondheim festival! It’s about time for another one after almost 20 yrs!!
I'm just gonna come right out and say it, Merrily only really makes sense if Charley is gay and in love with Frank and here are some reasons why: 1.What’s the deal with his marriage to Evelyn? He married her at 21, a year after saying he wouldn’t even consider getting married until he was much older, yet he never seems particularly in love with her and she’s very separate from their lives, plus he apparently “tries not to take her sobbing at weddings personally”. 2. “Good Thing Going” is shown to be a love song in Musical Husbands, yet it’s clearly subtextually supposed to be about his and Frank’s relationship throughout the show. 3. Why is he as a married man so comfortable being close and affectionate with his female best friend? 4. People who see Frank as an extraordinary composer generally only seem to believe that because they find him attractive, so what does that say about Charley? 5. Why does he cave to Frank’s requests so often despite him being established as a stubborn and righteous person? 6. Not that platonic friendships can’t be very deep and intense and intimate, but they say “I love you” so much, and never with the qualifier “like a brother”, which is what writers usually do when they want to make their characters very definitively heterosexual! 7. Why is he just so...like that?
right?? who knows if it was intentional but if not sondheim created one hell of a closet case character LMAO
I have always felt that way!!!!!
I snorted at the last point haha
This is such shallow thinking. Corroborators in art are indeed very close despite -- they spend hours with each other even in the bathroom. Why must there be a gay attraction. Bromance? Concept is not new. I think they were all in love with each other, but that doesn't mean they were screwing each other.
I find this to be a lot of projection that is in no way supported by the text. Straight men can be friends with women and say "I love you" without being considered "gay." A very... simplified view of sexuality. Charlie isn't gay. If he was, Sondheim would have made it much more clear.
One of Sondheim's most beautiful and heart-wrenching numbers.
Hate hands in the pockets! Shows actors don't know what they know what to do with their hands - not a valid reaction to song!
I rewound but regardless knew you weren’t referring to Raul Esparza in that comment. He’s too good for that. He makes this whole Merrily we Roll along video
I came all the way from California to see this production. Loved every minute. My favorite Sondheim show. It's like follies, the older I get the more I understand them.
@@charlesrabb5568same here in every way
You ever think about how Charley rests his hand on Frank's shoulder like that and those little glances they exchange and just how clearly personal these lyrics are to Charley
Miriam Shor is so great!
Beautiful!!!
its a damn shame, raul is the superlative charlie performance and michael is just very inconsistent in eveyr regard. singing, cadence, acting, the whole bang.
I agree :/
This song to me always felt like Mary and Charley were so insistent on Frank going on the cruise because they were really worried that if he was left alone he would spiral and possibly kill himself, and I feel like you get that undercurrent of him being emotionally thin-skinned and walking a tightrope throughout the whole show. I wanna be optimistic for how things all work out after the events of the disaster party, but man I don't know...
Mary’s acting was kinda bad in the first part, but otherwise a very enjoyable rendition.
Knowing their broken friendship in the future in advance, this backward progression of the plot is so powerful. It's heartbreaking...
Their broken friendship in the future elevates the emotional impact of this song
Whose
@@osahju914 Watching a video of this and asking whose friendship this is referring to is quite stupid
@@osahju914Frank and Charlie’s
She is so good. It blows my mind
This video removes all sadness in my life😭😭😭😭😭
"I mean after all, you still got us!" ;_;
That looks like Donna from doctor who
i saw the thumbnail of Raul Esparza and quickly clicked
Love this staging! Captures all the complexity of the song and makes you really believe in their friendship.
I love how Frank says the last "right" like he's finally agreeing. Really nice touch. I wish I'd seen this sooner, I would've suggested it for our production
If I'm not mistaken this production was choreographed by Karma Camp. I saw it at the KC in 2002 and it was a wonderful production!
XD I'm so used to Miriam Shor as Yitzhak it's so weird to see her as a woman
i love Raul Esparza he's so talented
Raul <3 <3 <3 <3
Words cannot say how much I want a bootleg of this production (and the Encores production)
I love the choreography for this song in this production! I love the hats and how in sync everyone is and the perfect chemistry and that cute toe-tapping bit at the beginning with Frank and Charley!
flirting via tap....you love to see it
You know, I think almost everything bad in this show could have been avoided if Frank hadn't gotten Beth pregnant and then married her and cheated on her with Gussie and divorced her because then he wouldn't have gone on that cruise that ruined everything and turned him into a money-obsessed sell-out and also he wouldn't have been so desperate for money in the first place cause there would've been no divorce, so he'd be able to focus on his integrity and making good shows with Charley and Mary. Sigh.
Kid, it didn't work as a play in the 30's either. I saw the original Broadway production, and this was one of the few moments that felt as if Sondheim was confident of what he was saying.
@@kbsabin ??? What exactly did you think I was saying?
Also, 30s??
@@4dultw1thj0bLooks as if my comment to someone else got posted here.
Hindsight is 20/20.😉
I love you for this!
Thanks so much for posting this. What a shame this show wasn't eligible for awards because of the short run.
Thank you for posting this. I saw this show in 2002. Best staging of "Now You Know" ever, not to mention superlative performances.
I also saw this production at the Kennedy Center. I knew many of the creative folks involved. The show was staged/choreographed by Karma Camp.
LOVE. just love.