Aaron Lazar, Wayne Brady & Donna Vivino Will Star in West Coast Merrily We Roll Along, Directed by Michael Arden

Aaron Lazar, Wayne Brady and Donna Vivino will headline the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ previously announced production of Merrily We Roll Along. The Los Angeles production, directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden, will begin performances on November 23 and run through December 18.

Lazar, who takes on the role of Franklin Shephard in the Stephen Sondheim musical, last appeared on Broadway in The Last Ship; his additional credits include A Little Night Music and The Light in the Piazza. Brady will play Charley Kringas. The five-time Emmy winner recently concluded a stint as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Vivino, who will play Mary Flynn, originated the role of Young Cosette in Les Miserables on Broadway and has gone on to appear in Wicked, Hairspray and Fame Becomes Me.

The cast will also include Tony nominee Saycon Sengbloh (Eclipsed) as Gussie, Whitney Bashor (The Bridges of Madison County) as Beth and Amir Talai (What to Expect When You’re Expecting) as Joe Josephson. Rounding out the ensemble are Eric B. Anthony, Sandy Bainum, Melody Butiu, Doran Butler, Max Chucker, Sarah Daniels, Laura Dickinson, Kevin Patrick Doherty, Rachael Ferrera, Jennifer Foster, Travis Leland, Lyle Colby Mackston, Brent Schindele and Maximus Brandon Verso.

Featuring a score by Sondheim and a book by George Furth, Merrily We Roll Along follows in reverse chronological order a stage and screen composer and the detrimental effects his success has had on his life, including his relationships with his collaborator Charlie and friend Mary. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1981—its brief run is explored in the new documentary Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.