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Annie Morrison is still rolling along
Look up“multitalented” in the dictionary and there’s probably a picture of Ann Morrison. The Sarasota powerhouse has entertained locally, nationally and globally, in a host of performances. “Merrily We Roll Along” was one of them.
Morrison was part of the cast at the 1981 Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s time-bending musical seemed like the perfect equation. But it added up to a colossal flop.
Flop or not, Morrison had a blast. She tells her tale and sings some of the musical’s songs in “Merrily from Center Stage,” her original, oneperson cabaret show, for which she’s seeking venues to continue performing. In the following conversation, which has been edited, she talks about it.
Where’d you get the idea for “Merrily from Center Stage”?
[The documentary] “The Best Worst Thing That Ever Happened” is a treasure. But [it] ignored the six weeks of rehearsals. Blake Walton, my creative consultant, suggested that I create my own show.
Please set the Wayback Machine for 1981, New York City and “Merrily We Roll Along.” When did you come on board?
I was the last actor to be cast. The final part of my audition was for Stephen Sondheim on April 9 — which happens to be my birthday.
At that point, the musical was still in flux, right?
Absolutely. When a show’s going straight to Broadway, the workshop process takes place during rehearsals. That’s the focus of my show.
What was that like?
See my show! For now, let’s say it was just a joy working with two musical theater gods: Stephen Sondheim, the composer and lyricist, and Hal Prince, the director.
I’m picturing Stephen Sondheim walking around fizzing over with ideas. He was shaping the musical in real time.
Exactly! You get that from the documentary; he talks about how he goes into many shows with all the songs already written. In “Merrily,” they weren’t, and he needed more time. That’s why we kept postponing our rehearsals, previews and the opening date.
Why did “Merrily We Roll Along” flop?
I’d say script problems, which the musical inherited from the original 1933 play.
Where have you performed “Merrily from Center Stage”?
I did it at 54 Below in New York City and freeFall Theatre St. Petersburg, when it was 75 minutes. I took it to The Players in Sarasota, and fleshed it out. I performed the longer version at Crazy Coqs in London, and reprised it at freeFall.
What’s next for “Merrily from Center Stage”? Right now, the goal is to take it to colleges and other theaters. There’s also talk of filming it. I originally thought my show at 54 Below was going to be one night only. I had no idea it was going to take off.
