Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened—a behind-the-scenes look into Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along—arrived in theatres across the U.S. November 18.
Lonny Price, who co-starred as lyricist Charley Kringas in the original production, directed and co-produced the film, which features interviews with Sondheim, director Harold Prince, and Price's original co-stars, Ann Morrison and Jim Walton. Kitt Lavoie is credited as scriptwriter.
Critics’ reviews follow. Playbill.com will continue to update.
Film Journal (Lisa Jo Sagolla)
Hollywood Reporter (David Rooney)
New York Daily News (Joe Dziemianowicz)
New York Times (Stephen Holden)
The innovative musical was based on a 1934 George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play about a group of friends and the compromises they make (or don't) in their pursuit of success. Both the play and the musical used the unusual device of starting in the present and moving backwards in time with each scene toward the characters’ idealistic past.
Merrily ran just 14 performances at the Alvin Theatre. The film's title is drawn from a lyric in the show: “The best thing that ever could've happened.” Despite the musical’s short run, the cast album is treasured by fans, and several songs have approached standard status, including ”Old Friends,” “Not a Day Goes By” and “Good Thing Going.” Price, who has transitioned from acting into directing, has been working on the film for at least five years.
