If you think theater is all about liberal agendas and progressive narratives, think again. "Merrily We Roll Along" is a groundbreaking play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart that challenges the status quo and offers a critical look at societal change through a more traditional lens. Staged first in 1934 on the Great White Way, this poignant piece, set against the backdrop of New York City, captures the enduring tension between personal ambition and friendship, portraying characters who face moral challenges that resonate just as sharply today.
The storyline reveals itself in reverse chronological order as it tracks three central characters—Franklin Shepard, a Broadway composer turned film producer; Charley Kringas, a lyricist and writer; and Mary Flynn, a newspaper critic—backwards through their lives. From the peak of their careers to their early idealistic beginnings, the unrolling thread dissects the choices and compromises they make, emphasizing the bittersweet decline in personal integrity that comes with social and monetary success. It's a direct antithesis to the liberal fairytales of invariably positive social mobility and progress.
Kaufman and Hart weave a narrative which calls for scrutiny of the mistaken belief that wealth and fame inherently lead to happiness. It’s a common misconception liberal theater tends to propagate, often portraying success as a linear ride to joy and fulfillment. However, "Merrily We Roll Along" holds a mirror up to the societal flaws in this perspective, underscoring that the allure of success often comes at the expense of personal relationships and personal fulfillment—messaging that invokes deep reflection.
This play deserves more attention today than ever because it forces audiences to confront their own lives' moral and professional choices. The predominant liberal agenda in modern theater sometimes seeks to sugarcoat reality. But in "Merrily We Roll Along," we see something refreshingly contrary. We see that not all success stories lead to uniformly positive outcomes; there are costs along the way. "Success" often touted as the holy grail, comes with its own unique agony, a narrative rarely explored in the progressive-driven narratives that dominate today.
The non-linear storytelling isn’t just a clever narrative ploy. It serves a larger purpose, breaking from clichéd linear plots and spoon-fed philosophies, shaking up how audiences think about time, success, and morality. Through its unique structure, the storyline strips away complacent perspectives about the inevitability of progress, allowing its audience to reflect if they have unknowingly compromised their own values and relationships at the expense of professional aspirations.
George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart—two legends with keen insight on the human condition—crafted this play during the 1930s when America was grappling with economic disparities from the Great Depression. Their work resonates profoundly today as societies wrestle with new socio-economic challenges and widespread political division. We are too often fed narratives that depict a rose-colored world where everyone who climbs the socio-economic ladder automatically finds satisfaction. Kaufman and Hart beg us to reconsider that perspective.
While many critics have rallied against the play’s narrative as nihilistic, claiming it’s bleak and demoralizes ambition, they miss the point entirely. The play is not an accusation but an invitation to deeper introspection. It welcomes audiences to evaluate their own journeys, to consider what they’ve sacrificed for the glint of gold and societal status. Modern audiences struggling with the enticing yet perilous allure of power and prestige can find relevance and caution in this insightful piece.
Furthermore, the characters’ wrestle with their ambitions taps into the human existential dilemma—how far will we go and what are we truly willing to give up for our desires? It’s a fundamental examination of choice and the often undiscussed consequences of those choices. It’s about breaking the complacency narratives that populate modern art forms, challenging viewers to develop a more nuanced understanding of life’s complexities.
In the current climate where art increasingly mirrors and molds public perception, "Merrily We Roll Along" disrupts the liberal tendency to simplify success into a glittering fairy tale and instead presents it as the multi-faceted narrative it often is. It’s a direct challenge to the political correctness that has sterilized much of our theater, refusing to shy away from uncomfortable truths of human experience.
Broadway has always been about pushing boundaries, but not just politically or socially. "Merrily We Roll Along" pushes the boundaries of storytelling itself, making one of America’s greatest cultural educators—the American theater—a platform for critical thought and self-reflection. It’s a provocative reminder that America can and should be a place for all kinds of stories, not just those that fit neatly into politically correct narratives.