KU Theatre putting on Sondheim musical

Kansas University Theatre’s production of the Stephen Sondheim classic “Merrily We Roll Along” debuts at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre. Additional shows will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28. On Sunday, April 22, and Sunday, April 29, the show will be performed at 2:30 p.m.

The musical, written by George Furth with music and lyrics by Sondheim, was first staged on Broadway in 1981. The plot focuses on three people whose friendship must weather the trials of life, time, ambition and fate. The story begins in 1976 and moves back in time to 1955.

The KU production is directed and choreographed by John Staniunas, associate professor of theatre, with musical direction by Ryan McCall, University Theatre accompanist.

“Sondheim underscores the cliché that history repeats itself by telling the story of an artist who corrupts himself by selling his integrity to American ideology,” Staniunas said.

Tickets are on sale at ticket offices at the University Theatre (864-3982) and the Lied Center (864-ARTS), and online at kutheatre.com. Tickets cost $20 for the general public; student tickets cost $10, and tickets for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff are $19.