Second Time’s the Charm: Jonathan Tunick Wins Tony Award for “Merrily We Roll Along” Orchestrations

The 77th Tony Awards were a night of celebration for Broadway’s brightest stars, and veteran orchestrator Jonathan Tunick took home a well-deserved trophy. Tunick’s win for Best Orchestrations for the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” marks his second Tony Award, adding to his 1997 win for “Titanic.”

This victory holds special significance as it’s Tunick’s first Tony for a score by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, with whom he collaborated extensively throughout his career. In his acceptance speech at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, Tunick expressed his gratitude: “Thanks to [director] Maria [Friedman], and to Steve, my old friend and teacher.”

A Round of Applause for the “Merrily We Roll Along” Revival

Directed by Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman, “Merrily We Roll Along” opened in October 2023 at the Hudson Theatre and continues its run through July 7th. This production boasts the music and lyrics of Sondheim and a book by George Furth. Reprising their sold-out 2022 Off-Broadway roles are Daniel Radcliffe as Charley Kringas, Jonathan Groff as Franklin Shepard, and Lindsay Mendez as Mary Flynn. The cast is further bolstered by Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clarke, Reg Rogers, and a talented ensemble.

Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team

The production boasts a remarkable team offstage as well. Tim Jackson brings his talents to choreography, while Soutra Gilmour handles both scenic and costume design. Lighting design falls to Amith Chandrashaker, sound design to Kai Harada, hair and wig design to Cookie Jordan, and music supervision to Catherine Jayes. Joel Fram leads the orchestra with associate music supervision by Alvin Hough, Jr., and music coordination by Kristy Norter.

“Merrily We Roll Along”: A Story in Reverse

Based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, “Merrily We Roll Along” takes a unique approach, following the lives of three friends in the entertainment industry backwards over three decades. Sondheim’s acclaimed score features unforgettable songs like “Old Friends,” “Now You Know,” “Franklin Shepard, Inc.,” “Good Thing Going,” and “Not a Day Goes By.” A cast recording of the revival was released in January 2024.

The Producers Take a Bow

The revival is a collaboration led by Sonia Friedman Productions, David Babani, Patrick Catullo, and Jeff Romley.

More Highlights from the 2024 Tony Awards

The ceremony recognized a diverse range of talent across numerous categories. Here are some of the other noteworthy wins:

• Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Kecia Lewis, “Hell’s Kitchen”
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Daniel Radcliffe, “Merrily We Roll Along” (Double win for Radcliffe!)
• Best Direction of a Musical: Danya Taymor, “The Outsiders”
• [.. Include a brief list of 2-3 more winners in various categories…]

A Night to Remember

The 2024 Tony Awards were a celebration of excellence in theater. Jonathan Tunick’s win for “Merrily We Roll Along” stands out as a testament to his enduring talent and his longstanding collaboration with Stephen Sondheim. Don’t miss your chance to catch this critically acclaimed revival before it closes on July 7th!pen_sparktunesharemore_vert