Theatre TCU recently concluded its spring musical, “Merrily We Roll Along,” with seven performances from March 3 through 8.

This production was more than just another musical in the books for TCU — it was a bucket list opportunity for one faculty director and a precious memory for four graduating seniors.

Written by the revolutionary Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, “Merrily We Roll Along” is a cautionary tale of three friends’ lives and how their ambitions and personal decisions ultimately pull apart their friendship.

Faculty Director Harry Parker said that this show had been on his “personal bucket list” and he was beyond excited to be a part of it.

“‘Merrily has always been a point of fascination for me, and I’ll be honest with you, I really didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to direct it,” Parker said.

Student actress Emery Gray is announced as the role of Beth Shephard in Theatre TCU’s production of “Merrily We Roll Along.” Photo courtesy of @theatretcu Instagram

He said that this particular show was chosen with both the audience and the students in mind.

“I think it’s so wonderful to do with undergraduate students, 18- to 22-year-olds, because it’s about idealism, holding onto your dreams and protecting your friendships,” Parker said.

Emery Gray, a senior musical theatre major from Frisco, Texas, has appeared in five Theatre TCU Main Stage productions, with “Merrily We Roll Along” being her last.

She said that the themes of this show “hit so close to home” as graduation approaches and she nears the end of her time at TCU.

“A lot of us are wanting to chase these big, scary dreams… and we all just have such a pure joy and a pure love and a pure passion for our dreams,” Gray said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better show to end my TCU career on.”

Logan Lowery, a senior musical theatre major from Melissa, Texas, has been in eight Theatre TCU productions and played Franklin Shepard, the show’s central character, last week.

Student actor Logan Lowery is announced as the role of Frankin Shephard in Theatre TCU’s production of “Merrily We Roll Along.” Photo courtesy of @theatretcu Instagram

Lowery described his character, Franklin, as a man with potential, but as someone who is “easily influenced” and “drowned in the idea of success.”

He said he feels that Franklin serves as a warning of what he does not want to become as he embarks on his career.

Madeline Carter, a senior musical theatre major from Frisco, Texas, played Mary Flynn, an ambitious writer and an old friend of Franklin.

Carter said that throughout the show, she not only grew in her acting, but grew as a person.

She explained that her personal experience with rejection in her field of study helped her to better connect with her character, Mary.

“Mary has a similar thing where she’s been so disappointed by her career and her friends,” Carter said. “She’s let it dim her and she’s let life run her over, and it’s taught me that I don’t want that for myself. I have to keep getting up and trying and doing it again.”

Student actress Madeline Carter is announced as the role of Mary Flynn in Theatre TCU’s production of “Merrily We Roll Along.” Photo courtesy of @theatretcu Instagram

Each actor and actress used the same two words to describe their experience working on the show: “meta” and “family.”

Playing good friends came easily to them because in real life, they are roommates, neighbors, classmates and more.

“It’s been really special and meta to do this with good friends, because the whole show is about friendship and growing up and about things changing,” Gray said. “And I really feel like I have grown up with this cast.”

Ethan Hyatt, a senior musical theatre major from Keller, Texas, said that the final performance hit him hard emotionally.

Student actor Ethan Hyatt’s headshot is posted to announce his role as Charley Kringas in Theatre TCU’s production of “Merrily We Roll Along.” Photo courtesy of @theatretcu Instagram

He said that one of the scenes he found to be most sentimental was during their song “It’s a Hit!”

“All four of us hug and we say, ‘We’re still old friends, nothing can kill old friends,’ and I always really like that scene.”

As the four approach graduation and set off to begin their careers, they plan to stay in close contact with one another, reversing the fate of their characters in the show.

When the students concluded their final scene as hopeful twenty-year-olds on their rooftop in New York City, both applause and weeping filled the room.

“It’s about them starting out, and they can do anything. The world is their oyster,” Hyatt said. “That’s the moment that I always find the most impactful cause it’s so applicable to my life.”