[STEPHEN SONDHEIM] CLARK SAYRE.

The archive of an original Merrily We Roll Along Broadway cast member. This archive was retained by Clark Sayre who played "Soundman" in the original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along which opened at the Alvin Theatre on November 16th, 1981 and closed after just 16 performances. Present is:

1) Clark Sayre's annotated script bearing several signatures and annotations and corrections to lines, the script is approximately 120 copied sheets including several inserted leaves, the script without general title page and possibly lacking some pages. The order of the sheets within the notebook has been preserved as although the scenes are out of order this appears to be the order in which rewritten sheets were received, the earliest page is numbered 1-1-2 and the last 2-5-71 with hiatuses between. The sheets are variously dated from 10/10/81 through 11/13/81 (just two days before opening night!). The annotations are in pencil and ink. Some wear from handling and use, occasional stray stains, annotated as noted.

2) Four audio tape cassettes from rehearsals of Merrily We Go Along in fall 1981. The first tape offers the first day of rehearsal, Harold Prince's 1st day speech to the cast regarding the history/conceptualization of the production, and Stephen Sondheim singing songs at the piano including cut songs such as The Blob. The second tape features the first day vocal rehearsal of Paul Gemignani. The third tape records the October 30th rehearsal of the show. The fourth tape records a dance rehearsal with Ron Field. The contents of the tapes not verified or transcribed.

3) An original poster from the 1981 first run of Merrily We Go Along at the Alvin Theatre signed and inscribed at the time of the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert by Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Jim Walton, Lonny Price, Ann Morrison, and several others. 22 x 14 inches; framed. Some edgewear obscured by frame.

4) An original large color printed photograph used as a lobby poster during the original production, 24 x 20 1/2 inches, a few nicks.

5) Clark Sayre's original production jacket from Merrily We Roll Along, with the show's logo to the back, the name "Clark" covered by a small panel on the front, stains and wear.

6) Two original Playbills from the 1981 first run, toned, and a small color printed advertising sticker, 11 6 inches, the backing detached.

7) Clark Sayre's script, Playbill, and CD recording from the 2002 Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert.

Materials from the first production of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince's Merrily We Roll Along are scarce. The production was a legendary flop: the final weeks of rehearsal saw the musical heavily rewritten and recast, and without proper out-of-town previews, the over forty tryout performances in New York were panned with audience members walking out. Of this frenzied month, Sondheim recalled, "that month of fervent hysterical activity was the most fun I've ever had on a single show." In the tryouts, the audience expressed difficulty following the plot and for this Prince made the decision to dress the characters in plain sweatshirts emblazoned with their character names, a decision which Sondheim later said "I rather liked it; the paying audience did not." Merrily We Roll Along closed after just 16 performances and ended the prolific run of musicals put on by Sondheim and Prince starting in 1970; the pair would not collaborate again un Bounce in 2003.

This archive was formed by original cast member Clark Sayre, who appeared as "Soundman" in that legendary first run. The pages of the script, added until the very final days before the opening in November 1981, are here retained in the order received capturing some of the frenzy of that time period. The recordings here may be unique and feature Sondheim solo at the piano and Hal Prince delivering his first day of rehearsal speech. Despite these beginnings, Merrily We Roll Along has been revived several times, including the 2023 production starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez which was awarded the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.