Broadway Star Krystal Joy Brown’s Impressive Journey in “Merrily We Roll Along” Revival

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Elevating Broadway both on and off-stage, actress and singer Krystal Joy Brown has found a personal sanctuary within the city’s heart, purchasing an apartment trailing just steps behind her professional playground, the Hudson Theatre. This homecoming symbolizes one of the most significant commitments of Brown’s life, a testament to her belief that Broadway is a crucible where dreams are shaped and burnished into reality.

Brown’s name features prominently on the marquee of the critically acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Merrily We Roll Along.” This storied role marks her inaugural foray into the realm of Sondheim, an achievement she reveres as a remarkable milestone in her career evocative of indelible contributions by Shakespeare and August Wilson.


The current “Merrily We Roll Along” seeks to resurrect the spirit of a musical that initially endured a short-lived run in 1981. Crafted by George Furth, the plot journeys into the past, unfurling the saga of three artists from 1976 to 1957, charting a course through delight and despair alike. Co-starring Jonathon Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, the narrative commences amidst personal turmoil and gradually navigates toward hope, illustrating the universal tale of dreams derailed by reality’s harsh circumstances.

At its most intricate, the musical navigates labyrinthine character arcs as alcoholics transform into abstainers and divorces catalyze secret rendezvous, eventually returning to erstwhile companionships. Brown, who portrays the indomitable Gussie Carnegie, notes the nuanced complexity in Sondheim’s composition, with hidden gem twists interwoven within each song, and hopes her portrayal does justice to his vision.

As the narrative starts, Gussie is portrayed as a Broadway diva entangled in a crumbling marriage with Frank Shepard, an egocentric writer. Along this temporal regression, we observe Gussie’s evolution as she transitions from being a secretary to her first husband, redefining herself with a new name, acting skills, and aesthetic modification, metamorphosing into a celebrated diva.

“This groundbreaking opportunity of the first black Gussie is overwhelming and empowering,” Brown expresses, cognizant of the inspirational potential her portrayal holds for younger individuals. Maria Friedman’s revival has received recognition for its portrayal of the anguish and regrets within the narrative, with Brown’s Gussie offering a deeply-seated portrayal of a tortured soul that transcends the simplistic portrayal of sheer ambition.

Jonathon Groff, who co-stars as Frank Shepard, recalls Brown’s incandescent audition. He commends the difficulty of her character’s requirement to convincingly portray a Broadway star, maintain a powerful vocal performance, and access deep emotional layers to portray tragedy and vulnerability.

“Merrily We Roll Along” marks Brown’s sixth Broadway expedition. Her stellar repertoire includes “Hamilton,” “Hair,” “Big Fish,” “Leap of Faith,” and “Motown the Musical.” Despite her illustrious achievements, Brown candidly admits her constant battle against Imposter Syndrome. However, every new role reaffirms her talent and stokes her passion.

To perfect her portrayal of Gussie, Brown found inspiration from Eartha Kitt, Diahann Carroll, and Dorothy Dandridge, integrating aspects of her previous roles as well. Although Sondheim’s original “Merrily We Roll Along” had a brief lifespan of 16 performances, its revival is envisaged to eclipse its predecessor’s tenure, anticipated as one of the season’s most coveted tickets.

Brown accredits the lukewarm acceptance of the original to the audience’s unfamiliarity with complex storytelling, suggesting that modern audiences have matured to appreciate intricate narratives. The Broadway stage is concurrently adorned with another Sondheim revival, “Sweeney Todd,” while his latest musical, “Here We Are,” recently opened off-Broadway.

Brown expresses her hope that audiences depart “Merrily We Roll Along” with an awakened longing for reconciliation with estranged companions. “I hope viewers are compelled to reach out to a loved one they’ve lost touch with,” she concludes.