Susquehanna Stage announces auditions for Merrily We Roll Along!

Fresh from its smash-hit Broadway revival, Merrily We Roll Along is a captivating and deeply moving story from legendary composer Stephen Sondheim. This bittersweet musical rewinds the lives of three friends, tracing their journey from jaded success back to their starry-eyed beginnings. With a stunning score and a story full of humor, heartbreak, and hope, it’s a powerful reminder of how dreams change and how friendships endure. 

Directed by Kevin Ditzler 

Performances
November 6 - 15, 2026

Audition Dates
Saturday, August 15th
11:00AM - 3:00PM

Sunday, August 16th
1:00PM - 4:00PM

Callbacks by invitation only Saturday, August 22nd (11:00AM)

For the auditions
Please prepare 32-bars in the style of the show. You may sing from the show.
In addition, please prepare a one-minute monologue.

Contact with Questions
Kevin Ditzler | kditzler74@gmail.com

Character Breakdown
The creative team is excited to see strong actor/singers with an exceptional ability to interpret character.

Franklin Shepherd

Handsome, charismatic, and charming, he is a mover and shaker. This composer turned Hollywood-producer barrels forward, climbing the ladder of success - leaving those who love him behind in the dust. He exudes suave confidence but is deeply sad and flawed.

Vocal Range: Tenor or Natural High Baritone
Range: A2 - Ab4
Male identifying, 25-45 yrs. old

Charley Kringas

Easily agitated and stubborn, he is passionate almost to a fault. Charley is a playwright more comfortable in his own artistic bubble than being out on the town doing the “business” of show business. He is constantly fighting for things to return to the way they were. Very principled and rarely budging, he can be quite a hothead.

Vocal Range: Tenor or Natural High Baritone
Range: A#2 - G#4
Male identifying, 25-45 yrs. old.

Mary Flynn

A successful novelist-turned-critic she is hopelessly in love with Frank. An excessive personality, this sardonic softie goes from a caring, optimistic friend to an embittered alcoholic. Fiercely loyal and quietly reminiscent, Mary implores the boys to forget their differences and return to the good old days. She is their support system, always at the expense of her own well-being.

Vocal Range: Soprano with a strong mix – belt up to a Eb5 would be a plus but not a deal breaker
Range: G3 - Gb5
Female identifying, 25-45 yrs. old

Beth Spencer

Once a Midwestern hopeless romantic trying to make her way in NYC, she becomes the breadwinning wife of Frank who longs to settle down and live a “normal” life. She is quiet, sometime naïve, but strong. At the core of Beth is a set of strong, moral values that she holds on to very tightly – which is reflected in her unforgiving honesty. She is Frank’s champion.

Vocal Range: Soprano with a strong mix (A3 - G5)
Female identifying, 25-45 yrs. old

Gussie Carnegie

An unapologetically narcissistic Broadway star who absolutely thrives on attention. This “secretary turned star” is a climber - flamboyant to the point of insensitivity - empowered by her own ingenuity. She is massively talented and incredibly resourceful. She never changes herself, just the people around her. Gussie is ruled by her impulsive, insatiable, and often unattainable desires.

Vocal Range: Mezzo with a strong Broadway belt (G3 - C5)
Female identifying, 25-45 yrs. old

Joe Josephson 

A big-talking producer whose business-smarts are unparalleled in the commercial theatre. He smokes cigars. His marriage to Gussie castrates him, and when she leaves him, it sucks him dry. He ends up pathetically begging for a handout from his ex-wife.

Vocal Range: High Baritone Range: A2 - F#4
Male identifying, 40-60 yrs. old

Franklin Shepard JR

Son of Beth and Frank. He has been kept from his father. Energetic, innocent, and eager to please.

Vocal Range: Unchanged voice (sings well & be able to hold a harmony)
Male identifying, 6-10 yrs. old.

Ensemble
Character actors/singers to play a variety of roles with solos and speaking parts.
Vocal Range: All voice types and any identity of varying ages -

18+ open to all gender expressions.