"Why can't It Be Like It Was?" from Merrily We Roll Along kept running through my head all night. So, now I'm listening to the Encores! recording and crying like a baby. I detested the original production; it was like a mediocre high school production and none of the kids in that cast knew what their older characters were about - although Lonny Price's "Franklin Shepard Inc," was really wonderful - until the scene containing "Old Friend." By then it was too late.
I think Steve mproved the score in later revisins. "Growing Up" is a heartbreaking number.