University of Evansville Theatre Presents MERRILY WE ROLL ALONGRead full article...

Posted: Friday, October 9, 2026
By: University Communications

The University of Evansville Theatre proudly continues their 2026-2027 season with MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by George Furth.

This production opens at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, 29, 30, 31, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical follows three lifelong friends as their story unfolds in reverse-from adulthood back to the hopeful beginnings of their youth. As the years rewind, we discover how ambition and success shape friendships and poignantly reveal the truth that every ending has a beginning.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is directed by Assistant Professor Wes Grantom '03. Tyler Simpson, guest artist, serves as the music director; guest artist Jayddyn Sage is the show's choreographer and intimacy coordinator; Austin Kuhn '18, guest artist, is the scenic designer; Mia Lacy, a senior directing and dramaturgy major from Frisco, TX, serves as the costume designer; Bailey Piontkowski, a senior design and technology major from Fort Worth, Texas, is the lighting designer; Visiting Professor Jon Robertson, serves as the sound designer; Sydney Gepson, a junior theatre studies major San Tan Valley, Ariz, is the dramaturg; Visiting Assistant Professor Andy Hammond '08 is the technical director; Jasmine Hardin, a junior stage management major from Aurora, Colo, is the production stage manager; and Olivia Roy, a senior stage management major from Henderson, KY, is the stage manager.

The cast features Kurt Sparks, a senior performance major from Millville, NJ, as Franklin Shepard; Zachary Carvajal, a first-year performance major from Lewisville, Texas, as Charley Kringas; Rachel Disney, a junior performance major from Louisville, KY, as Mary Flynn; Blane Wheeless, a sophomore performance major from Midland, Texas, as Tyler; Santiago Rueda, a junior performance major from Garden City, Kan, as Terry; Caroline Petersma, a junior performance major from Lenexa, Kan, as Scotty; Amanda Pascerella, a junior performance major from Staten Island, NY, as Dory/Newswoman; Shane Allison, a sophomore performance major from Spring, Texas, as Ru; Ben Lodge, a senior performance major from Overland Park, Kan, as Jerome; Reese Hickman, a junior performance major from Conroe, Texas, as K.T./Evelyn; Jamy Lentz, a senior performance major from Denton, Texas, as Meg Kincaid; Nick Geyvandova, a junior performance major from College Station, Texas, as Bunker; Kiara Cantu, a junior performance major from Edinburg, Texas., as Gussie Carnegie; Gage Dragoo, a junior performance major from Frisco, Texas, as Joe Josephson; Emma Tarwater, a first-year performance major from Krum, Texas, as Beth; Alex Hattan, a junior performance major from O'Fallon, Ill, as Mr. Spencer; Daphne Wheeler, a senior performance major from Star, Idaho, as Mrs. Spencer; Emily Proctor, a senior theatre studies major from Jeffersonville, Ind, as The Minister; CJ Kamseu, a sophomore performance major from Olathe, Kan, as Makeup Artist and Ensemble; Matthew Manders, a senior performance major from Houston, Texas, as Photographer and Ensemble; Zander Ferguson, a first-year performance major from Castle Rock, Colo, as Newsman and Ensemble; and Charlie Hayden, a fourth grade student at St. Benedict Cathedral School, in Evansville, Ind, as Frank Jr.

Single tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for senior adults, UE faculty/staff, and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free student purchased at the ticket office in Hyde Hall. Subscription tickets are still available for $45 and include both MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG and OUR TOWN, produced in Shanklin Theatre, with a special subscriber price of $15 for upcoming May Studio Theatre productions THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT and THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE.

UE Theatre is also excited to continue the "Pay What You Will" initiative this season: every Thursday evening performance in Shanklin Theatre is available at any price that best fits your budget. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031, Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.