Monday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m.—WOODSTOCK—Opera North & Pentangle Arts are thrilled to present the Vermont premiere of “Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened,” a film by Lonny Price, at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre on Monday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. The evening will include a talk-back after the screening with Jim Walton (currently starring in Opera North’s “Kiss Me, Kate”) and David Cady, who are featured in the film and starred in the legendary Broadway musical “Merrily We Roll Along,” upon which the film is based.
“Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened” is a documentary which takes a now-and-then behind-the scenes look at one of Stephen Sondheim’s and Harold Prince’s most beloved works. “Merrily We Roll Along” opened on Broadway to enormous fanfare in 1981, but closed after only 16 performances.
Lonny Price was a member of the original Broadway cast, which also included Jim Walton, David Cady, Ann Morrison, Jason Alexander, Geoffrey Horne, David Loud, Daisy Prince, Liz Callaway, Tonya Pinkins and Giancarlo Esposito. The film features interviews with original cast members as well as Stephen Sondheim, Mandy Patinkin, Adam Guettel, Frank Rich, and others. While the original production closed shortly after opening, the show gradually assumed legendary status and the film focuses on the special place it hold in their hearts.
The New York Times called it among the top 10 movies of 2016; Rolling Stone wrote:“Mesmerizing, indispensable”; and Entertainment Weekly said: “A Triumph.”
The evening will feature a pre-screening reception in the foyer of the theatre.Tickets are $10 for the screening and talk back; $30 for the reception, screening and talk back. Purchase online at squareup.com/store/pentangle-movies or call 802-457-3981.
