Pictured, from left, are Ryan Schisler, Leah Alburtus, and Sean Leyes in the Stephen Sondheim musical “Merrily We Roll Along,” opening Nov. 14, at Elkhart Civic Theatre’s Bristol Opera House. Photos provided by Elkhart Civic Theatre Bristol Opera House.

News Release

BRISTOL – “Merrily We Roll Along,” the hit musical by Stephen Sondheim, opens at Elkhart Civic Theatre’s Bristol Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, for a two-weekend run.

The production is directed by Brock Butler, assisted by Stacey Nickel, music direction by Roy Bronkema, and choreography by Haley Crowley.

“Merrily We Roll Along” tells the story of three idealistic friends, composer Franklin Shepard, playwright Charley Kringas, and writer/journalist Mary Flynn, as their careers and personal lives diverge over 20 years, leading to their eventual estrangement. Told in reverse chronological order, the show begins in the present year of 1976, and works backward to their bright, hopeful beginnings as young artists in New York City, in 1957. The musical explores the corrosive effects of success and compromise on their friendships and artistic integrity.

The cast list includes:

• Franklin Shepard – Ryan Schisler
• Charley Kringas – Sean Leyes
• Mary Flynn – Leah Alburtus
• Gussie Carnegie – Myah Englebrecht
• Beth Spencer – Kaitlyn Meyer
• Joe Josephson – Zach Rivers
• Scotty – Courteney Ebert
• Jerome – Dylan Floor
• Terry – Brent Graber
• Tyler – Antwann Harper
• Dory – Janis Logsdon
• K.T. – Rachel Raska Selle
• Ru – Collin Szymanski
• Meg Kinkaid – Leah Tipton
• Frank Jr. – Sullivan Plack

Tickets for “Merrily We Roll Along” are available online at elkhartcivictheatre.org/merrily or by calling the theatre box office weekday afternoons at (574) 848-5853.