Merrily Moves to the Big Screen
Sony Pictures Classics has officially acquired worldwide rights to the filmed version of the Tony-winning Broadway revival Merrily We Roll Along, and we’re here for it. As a Broadway-centered production company ourselves, we love seeing musical theatre not only thrive on stage but cross over into theatrical distribution — especially when it’s done with this level of care and talent.
Directed by Maria Friedman, this revival wasn’t just a hit — it was a triumph. Starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, the show ran at the Hudson Theatre from October 2023 through July 2024 and won four Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. Groff and Radcliffe both walked away with Tonys for their performances, and if you saw the production live, you know why. This wasn’t just a re-staging — it was a reinvention.
What makes Merrily so compelling is its structure: the story moves in reverse, starting in the 1980s and ending with three friends meeting in college. It’s one of those rare pieces that becomes more emotional as it moves backward. You feel the weight of what was lost, even as you watch it begin. The filmed version promises to bring us even closer — literally. As Friedman put it, “The camera lets us see every flicker of feeling, every quiet shift, in a way that brings audiences closer than ever.” That’s the kind of intimacy we don’t always get in a proscenium — and a great reason for this particular production to make the leap to screen.
The film features not just the original Broadway trio but also standout performances from Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clarke, and Reg Rogers. Behind the scenes, it’s a powerhouse lineup: Sonia Friedman, David Babani, Patrick Catullo, F. Richard Pappas, and RadicalMedia’s Jon Kamen and Dave Sirulnick are producing. The deal was brokered by Metzger Iwashina Media and Danny Passman of Gang Tyre on behalf of the producers.
We’re especially intrigued by how this screen version will sit alongside Richard Linklater’s long-game film adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along, which has already started shooting and will continue over a 20-year span. That version stars Paul Mescal, Ben Platt, and Beanie Feldstein and aims to mirror the reverse timeline of the musical by filming in real-time. It's a wildly ambitious project — and for Merrily fans, an amazing contrast to see both versions take shape.
There’s something deeply poetic about Merrily having this kind of second life. The original 1981 Broadway production closed after just 16 performances. It was considered a flop. But over the years, it became a cult favorite — one of those “what-if” shows that artists couldn’t let go of. Now, after decades of revision and reflection, it’s not only been redeemed but celebrated.
As a creative company that believes in second chances and reinvention, Merrily’s journey hits home. We’re inspired by the idea that something that didn’t land the first time around can evolve into a masterpiece — with the right team, the right moment, and the right medium.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this release and hope it brings more fans into the world of Sondheim and into theaters. Whether you missed the Broadway run or just want to relive the magic, this filmed version promises to be something special.