Based on the play by George Kauffman and Moss Hart, this musical (with book by George Furth) tells of the disintegration of the friendship of successful songwriter Franklin Shepard, his lyricist Charlie Kringas, and novelist Mary Flynn. The action moves backward through time, from 1980 to 1957.
The score is constructed in blocks, so we hear characters' themes at the beginning of the show, seeing throughout the rest of the show how that character developed that theme. For example, in the first scene Frank sings, "It's my time coming through / all my dreams coming true / Gorgeous house, gorgeous wife," indicative of his materialism and superficiality. By the end of that show, we hear the same melody devolve back to its roots as a song of optimism and sincerity. Includes the songs "Our Time," "Good Thing Going," and "Not A Day Goes By."
Opened November 16, 1981, Alvin Theatre
Ran for 16 performances
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
From the Play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Produced by Lord Grade, Martin Starger, Robert Fryer, and Harold Prince
in association with Ruth Mitchell and Howard Haines
Directed by Harold Prince
Choreography by Larry Fuller
Set Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Judith Dolan
Lighting Designed by David Hersey
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Musical Direction by Paul Gemignani
Markeup and Hair by Richard Allen
Sound Design by Jack Mann
Casting by Joanna Merlin
Overture
The Hills of Tomorrow
Merrily We Roll Along
Rich and Happy
Like It Was
Franklin Shepard, Inc.
Old Friends
Not a Day Goes By
Now You Know
It's a Hit!
Good Thing Going
Bobby and Jackie and Jack
Not a Day Goes By (reprise)
Opening Doors
Our Time
The Hills of Tomorrow (reprise)
Darling!
Thank You For Coming
Honey
That Frank
Growing Up
The Blob
Recordings:
Original Broadway Cast Recording, 1981 (RCA Victor RCD1-5840)
Leicester Cast Recording, 1992 (TER 1225)
York Revival Cast Recording, 1994 (Varese Sarabande VSD-5548)
Rights controlled by Music Theatre International
Franklin Shepard
Jim Walton
Mary Flynn
Ann Morrison
Charley Kringas
Lonny Price
Gussie
Terry Finn
Joe
Jason Alexander
Beth
Sally Klein
Franklin Shepard (age 43)
Geoffrey Horne
Jerome
David Cady
Terry
Donna Marie Elio
Ms. Gordon
Maryrose Wood
Alex, Talk Show Host
Marc Moritz
Gwen Wilson
Tonya Pinkins
Ted
David Loud
Les
David Shine
Mr. Spencer
Paul Hyams
Mrs. Spencer - Mary Johansen
Meg
Daisy Prince
Ru
Forrest D. Ray
Bartender
Tom Shea
Evelyn
Abby Pogrebin
Valedictorian
Giancarlo Esposito
George, The Headwaiter
James Bonkovsky
Girl Auditioning
Marianna Allen
Nightclub Waitress
Liz Callaway
Photographer
Stephen Jacob
Sound Man
Clark Sayre
Waiter
Gary Stevens
Swing
Janie Gleason
Discuss this show in Sondheim.com's
community forum: Finishing the Chat... ››
“Assassins is about how society interprets the American Dream, marginalizes outsiders and rewrites and sanitizes its collective history. "Something Just Broke" is a major distraction and plays like an afterthought, shoe horned simply to appease. The song breaks the dramatic fluidity and obstructs the overall pacing and climactic arc which derails the very intent and momentum that makes this work so compelling...”
- Mark Bakalor
“I found [the Sondheim Celebration's Company] to be completely delightful. Almost all of the numbers excited and energized me, and most of the scenes were about as pitch-perfect as you can get. I just sat there with a big smile on my face the whole show.
Which is not to say that it is perfect...”
- popcornonmyknees
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