Streaming on Netflix
Reviewed by Len Power
1 April 2020
The documentary ‘Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have
Happened’ takes its title from the lyric of a song in Stephen Sondheim’s
musical, ‘Merrily We Roll Along’. This unusual
and compelling documentary details the journey of a much anticipated musical
from auditions to opening and beyond.
After Sondheim’s Broadway smash hit of 1979, ‘Sweeney Todd’,
his next show was to be a 1981 musical version of the 1934 play ‘Merrily We
Roll Along’ by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.
Such was the anticipation for this show that CBS Television
started filming auditions and early rehearsals for a planned documentary. However, when the show was a surprising flop
and closed after only 16 performances, the project was shelved.
Many years later, the filmed footage was re-discovered and
given to original cast member, Lonnie Price, who was now a highly respected
director and writer. He created this
documentary called ‘Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened’ from the
footage. It charts the hopes and dreams
of the group of young actors excited by their good fortune to be cast in the
latest Sondheim musical. Years later,
cast members reminisce about the experience of being part of the show and the
shock of its early closure. Some
recovered and moved on to have successful careers in showbiz but many of them
were deeply scarred by the experience.
Watching the discussions and decisions being made by the
creators are fascinating. Knowing that
the show was ultimately a flop makes it especially poignant as we see the
enthusiasm and joy of the very young cast when told they have been cast in the
show.
Original leading man, James Weissenbach, who had been replaced
prior to opening night by Jim Walton, talks about the crushing blow he
experienced personally. He seems remarkably
philosophical about it now. Jim Walton,
who replaced him, is also on hand to talk about being a cast member suddenly
promoted to leading man.
Director of the documentary, Lonnie Price, is seen watching
footage of himself during rehearsals. It
clearly has an immense impact on him. He
tells us that he has directed every Sondheim musical for the theatre over the
years since but has never directed a production of ‘Merrily We Roll Along’.
It’s an electrifying, bitter-sweet documentary and anyone
who’s ever been actively involved in a theatre production will find this a particularly
moving experience.
‘Merrily We Roll Along’ may have been a flop on Broadway at
the time but has continued to have a life ever since. It was one of the shows scheduled to be
performed at the Hayes Theatre in Sydney in April. Due to Covid-19, it has been postponed to
2021.
‘Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened’ is currently
streaming on Netflix and for theatre lovers, it shouldn’t be missed.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
‘Theatre of Power’, a
regular podcast on Canberra’s performing arts scene with Len Power, can be
heard on Spotify, ITunes and other selected platforms or at https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/theatre-of-power.