Merrily We Roll Along will always hold an incredibly special place in my heart, as Gussie Carnegie was meant to be the final role I performed on the Marshwood stage. Six years later, I am finally able to bring it to life. We were just two weeks away from opening this show when COVID shut us down, and at the time, I truly believed that chapter of my life at Marshwood had come to an end. It had always been my dream to someday direct the shows I grew up performing in, but I never imagined I would have the opportunity to live out that dream.
I wish I could go back and tell my senior-year self that everything would be okay—that I would once again sing, dance, and act on the stage where I grew up, while watching my love for theatre grow stronger than I ever could have imagined. That I would have the chance to impact others through my passion for the arts, and to lead a rehearsal room rooted in collaboration, care, and joy.
Stephen Sondheim said it best: “Dreams don’t die, so keep an eye on your dreams.”
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the entire cast, crew, pit, and production team for their incredible work on this production. Taking on a Stephen Sondheim show, particularly one as iconic as Merrily at the high school level is a remarkable achievement, and one we should all be extremely proud of.
To the seniors, it has been an absolute joy working with you. I hope this is only the beginning of your journeys in theatre, and I cannot wait to see what you do next.
Thank you to Kaiden for your dedication to all aspects of the crew and for helping create a seamless transition into tech week.
Thank you to Esme, Keelan, and Emma for your passion, commitment, and constant support throughout this process. It has been a privilege working with such an incredible team.
Thank you to Shauna and Tammy for showing me what unwavering support looks like, and for setting an example of advocacy, strength, and leadership.
Thank you to my family and friends, Star, Grace O, Noah, Jack, Josh, and Matt, for supporting my dreams every step of the way.
Most importantly, thank you to my Mom, Dad, and brother. Mom, thank you for bringing me coffee and a hug on my hardest days and for always believing in me. You have taught me to follow my dreams and to reach for the stars. Dad, thank you for being the best “dad-ager” from day one. From coaching me to building my sets, you’ve shown your support in everything I do. Thank you for singing in the car with me and for hitting all the high notes! Tucker, thank you for taking the beautiful headshots and for creating the jaw-dropping promotional video. It has been incredible watching you grow, and I am so thankful to have you as my best friend, and now to work with you in a professional setting.
Thank you for being here to support live theatre and the arts. I cannot wait to finally bring this piece of art to the Marshwood Stage. Enjoy the show :)
Love,
Lilly Whelan
