Everyone has dreams and ideals, but often we forget that our lives are happening when we're busy dreaming those dreams and striving for those ideals.
In Scarborough Music Theatre's latest production, Merrily We Roll Along, by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, based on a play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, we see how living the dream doesn't always equate to happiness.
This show about friendship, ambition and the price of success, is also an honest look at the consequences of our actions during our quest for happiness, brought to life with fascinating characters and entertaining song and dance numbers.
The story follows the lives of composer Franklin Sheppard (Eddy Morassutti) and his best friends Mary (Katie Palmer) and Charley (Joshua Jacobs); they all have big dreams of success and share every windfall and downfall together.
Mary is a best-selling author, and Frank and Charley are successful Broadway composers. Frank is married to Beth (Amy Helsby) and Charley to Evelyn (Amanda Franklin) and life is good.
But no relationship is ever easy, and we see the trio hit each milestone in their lives and the obstacles and successes that come with them. What makes this musical so interesting, though, is that their story is told in reverse, beginning with an explosive argument at Frank's Bel Air home in 1978 during a party for his newly released film.
Frank's second marriage to Gussie (Karen Brown) is in shambles, he's having an affair with Meg (Catherine Uy) the star of his movie, he's estranged from his son and Charley, and Mary, now a drunk, hates what Frank has become.
From here we travel back to 1957, when they were young and optimistic and having just moved to New York City, their world was full of promise and possibility. Along the way we see their struggles and triumphs and how their egos evolve in ugly ways.
The choreography was great in this show, as were the costumes that ranged from the 1950s to the 1970s, and there were a variety of songs, from upbeat numbers like It's a Hit to ballads such as Not a Day Goes By.
Multiple costume changes and hairdos helped distinguish the years and eras portrayed, as well, many of the cast played multiple roles. They were versatile, talented and kept the show moving.
Brown was captivating as the feisty and snobby Broadway star Gussie, and Morassutti was endearing as Frank, the man in the middle of it all. Newcomers Jacobs and Palmer gave the show energy and both displayed great stage presence and vocal talent.
The unique way of reverse storytelling really draws you in so you want to see how it all began, not how it ends. However, it is a long show, definitely dated and for adults only.
It's always interesting to know how a story begins or to look back at why things turned out the way they have. This show reminds us that the evolution of life, love and friendship is colourful, sometimes painful, but always what brings you to where you are today.
Merrily We Roll Along's remaining shows are May 8, 9, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on May 10 and 16, at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd.
Tickets are $24 for adults and $20 for students and seniors on Thursdays and Sundays only. For tickets, call 416-396-4049.