“Merrily We Roll Along” in concert brings Sondheim to SDSU

It’s not every day you get to watch a musical play out in reverse, but that’s exactly what Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along” promises. 

The show takes the Main Stage Theatre this month in an exciting concert presentation featuring the San Diego State University Jazz Ensemble. Directed by Amy Schwartzreich, the production runs Oct. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances Oct. 25 and 26 at 2 p.m.

The musical follows the story of Franklin Shepard, a composer whose rise to success comes at the cost of his relationships and artistic visions. Over the course of two decades, audiences watch his journey unfold in reverse, moving from the late 1970s back to his hopeful beginnings in the 1950s.

Nole Jones, who plays Franklin, said what makes “Merrily We Roll Along” stand out is its reverse chronology, a structure that can be captivating and challenging.  

“We start with Frank in 1976, when he’s this successful Hollywood producer, but his personal relationships and mental health are really unraveling,” he said. “Then we move backward in time to see all these pivotal moments of his life where he compromised his dreams or his values for success.”

The structure of the musical also adds a unique layer of complexity to the actors' preparation before each performance.

“You basically have to do a scene and then forget that everything that happened, happened,” Jones said. “You put yourself in a different emotional state, a different time, and not let the things that happened in the previous scene affect you, which sounds simple, but actually isn’t. It’s pretty challenging.”

Bobby Bednar, who plays lyricist Charley Kringas, explained that even the rehearsals mirrored this structure.

“We started learning the show backwards to forwards, because that’s technically the right chronological timeline,” he said.

Rehearsing the scenes in this order has helped the cast understand how events connect, allowing them to form a deeper connection to the story and their roles.

Music director Robert Meffe explained that Sondheim’s complex score guides the emotional rhythm of the story. 

“Stephen Sondheim is one of the leaders and composers of musical theater writing over the past century,” he said. “His melodies don’t go the way you expect them to, and that’s reflected in the kind of stories he likes to tell.”

Meffe said that when he first came to SDSU, his goal was to unite musical theatre and live orchestral performance on one stage. Over the years, partnerships have featured the SDSU Symphony Orchestra and combined choirs, but this marks his first time working with the SDSU Jazz Ensemble, led by Karl Soukup.

The concert format adds a unique element. Unlike a typical musical with an orchestra in a pit, the SDSU Jazz Ensemble performs on stage, fully integrated with the actors. 

“When an orchestra is in a pit, you’re hearing it through a sound system,” Meffe said. “And when you come to see this show, you'll feel the music, not just hear the music.”

The staging of the production reflects the close connection between story and score. 

“The main character is a pianist and composer,” Meffe explained. “There are moments when he sits at the piano right next to the orchestra.”

For Courtney Armstrong, who plays Mary Flynn, the collaboration brings a new light to the stage. 

“I can’t wait to share the stage with the SDSU Jazz Ensemble,” she said. “Audiences are sure to enjoy the full, vibrant sound of the ensemble with this complex score by Stephen Sondheim.”

Armstrong, who has taken on iconic roles like Elphaba in “Wicked” and Maureen in “Rent, says Sondheim’s work is its own kind of challenge.  

“Both roles were incredibly demanding and rewarding,” she said, “but Mr. Sondheim’s score is no small feat. It’s thrilling, and I’m so grateful to work with such a talented team here in the SDSU musical theatre department to bring this complex piece to life.”

For Armstrong, the heart of "Merrily We Roll Along" lies in its humanity. She hopes audiences will walk away thinking about the choices, friendships and dreams that shape their lives. 

“This bittersweet story reveals how ambition and success can blur our values—but also reminds us that hope, creativity, and connection are always worth rediscovering,” she said. 

Bednar also reflected on how the story can resonate with people through the various stages of life.

“I hope audiences will walk away with a reflection on how they’ve grown over their life,” he said. “Whether you’re 20 or you’re 50, and seeing it, where am I right now? If I could go back and change things, would I?”

Many of the cast and creative team encourage viewers to watch the show more than once, considering that the backward storytelling and layered score reveal new details each time. 

Tickets to"Merrily We Roll Along" run $17 - $20 and are available at the online box office.