The 2024 Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Merrily We Roll Along, featuring Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff, will be released in movie theaters on December 5. This filmed version of the Broadway production, originally staged live, offers audiences worldwide a rare chance to experience the acclaimed show on the big screen.
This news excites fans anticipating the chance to see its live capture outside of New York’s theater scene, with Sony Pictures and Fathom Entertainment collaborating to make the theatrical release possible.
Background on the Production and Its Cast
Directed by Maria Friedman, the 2023-2024 Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along has been celebrated for redefining the musical’s reputation since its initial 1981 Broadway flop. Based on the book by George Furth, this production follows three close friends—Franklin Shepard (Jonathan Groff), Charley Kringas (Daniel Radcliffe), and Mary Flynn (Lindsay Mendez)—in reverse chronological order, starting from their fractured middle-age relationship back to their first meeting on a New York City rooftop as young dreamers.
The production not only earned the 2024 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, but also earned Groff the Tony for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, and Radcliffe the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Other notable cast members include Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clark, and Reg Rogers.
A Rare Broadway Production on the Big Screen
While filmed versions of plays and musicals are increasingly common, it is still unusual for a Broadway musical to receive a theatrical release like this. Fathom Entertainment, known for bringing National Theater Live productions from London and opera performances from New York’s Metropolitan Opera to cinemas, is partnering with Sony Pictures to offer this unique experience for Merrily We Roll Along.
Comparatively, other popular Broadway musicals such as Hamilton and Frozen have been made available primarily through streaming services, with Hamilton debuting on Disney+ during the pandemic lockdown and Frozen’s filmed London production circulating digitally. This release diverges by allowing audiences to watch the Broadway production in theaters.
Future Adaptations and Broader Impact
Alongside this theatrical release, a feature film adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along is also in development. Directed by Richard Linklater, the movie is unique in its approach, as it is being filmed over nearly twenty years to follow the natural aging of its cast members, including Beanie Feldstein, Ben Platt, and Paul Mescal.
This theatrical premiere not only celebrates the success of the current stage production but also signals growing interest in translating stage musicals to film in ways that respect the art form’s live origins. By making the show accessible in cinemas, more audiences worldwide will experience its emotional storytelling and timeless themes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Daniel Radcliffe have a child?
A. In April 2023, the actor from Harry Potter and his girlfriend Erin Darke had their first child. Radcliffe expressed his joy about becoming a father a few months after the birth. He described fatherhood as the “best thing” and mentioned how adorable his three-month-old son is.
Q. Do Daniel Radcliffe have a child?
A. In April 2023, the Harry Potter actor and his girlfriend, Erin Darke, had their first child, a son. A few months afterward, Radcliffe expressed his happiness as a new dad, telling Extra that being a father is “the best thing.”
Q. What syndrome does Daniel Radcliffe have?
A. In 2008, Radcliffe shared that he has a mild version of dyspraxia. This condition occasionally makes simple tasks like writing or tying his shoes difficult. He mentioned, “I struggled in school because I wasn’t good at anything or had any clear talent.”
Q. Does Daniel Radcliffe have a child?
A. You’re a dad, Daniel Radcliffe! The actor from Harry Potter became a father in April 2023 when he and his girlfriend, Erin Darke, had their first son. A few months after the birth, Radcliffe expressed his joy about being a father, saying it was the “best thing.”
