Few musicals have traveled a more surprising path than Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” Once considered an outlier in his body of work, it is now celebrated as one of his most emotionally revealing and enduring pieces. Now audiences can experience the acclaimed revival when it hits the Lincoln Theater big screen, Thursday, Feb. 26 at 2 and 7 p.m.  

“Merrily We Roll Along” follows composer Franklin Shepard and his lifelong friendships with writer Mary and lyricist Charley. Told in reverse chronological order, the story moves from professional success and personal distance back to the trio’s hopeful early years, when their shared belief in art and friendship felt limitless. When first produced on Broadway in 1981, the unusual structure was challenging for audiences but is now recognized as central to the show’s emotional power, gaining recognition for its clear-eyed look at ambition, compromise, and the gradual unraveling of creative partnerships.The version showing on the big screen is the 2023–2024 Broadway revival, directed by Maria Friedman and starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez. The revival played to sold-out audiences, broke box-office records at the Hudson Theatre, and earned four major honors at the 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. The revival also received extraordinary acclaim in London, becoming one of the most highly reviewed productions in West End history.

Tickets: $10 adult and $7 for LT members and youth (ages 18 and under), are available for purchase in advance through the website at LincolnTheater.org. Lincoln Theater is located at 2 Theater St. in the heart of downtown Damariscotta. More information is available online or by contacting the theater office at info@LincolnTheater.org or 563-3424.