"Merrily We Roll Along" is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth. It is based on the 1934 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The musical follows the lives of three friends, Franklin Shepard, Charlie Kringas, and Mary Flynn, whose relationships deteriorate over three decades (from 1976 to 1957) as Frank prioritizes his career and becomes more successful. The story is told in reverse chronological order, beginning in 1976 and moving backward to 1957, showing how Frank became the person he is.
The filmed version of the 2023 Broadway revival, directed by Maria Friedman, was released in theaters on December 5, 2025, by Sony Pictures Classics and Fathom Entertainment. It is now available to rent or purchase on digital platforms such as Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.
The main cast of the 2023 Broadway revival and its filmed version includes:
- Jonathan Groff as Franklin Shepard
- Daniel Radcliffe as Charley Kringas
- Lindsay Mendez as Mary Flynn
- Krystal Joy Brown as Gussie Carnegie
- Katie Rose Clarke as Beth Spencer
- Reg Rogers as Joe Josephson
The filmed version of "Merrily We Roll Along" received a positive reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 94% based on 33 reviews, with a matching Popcornmeter score of 94% from over 50 verified ratings. Critics have praised the performances of the cast, particularly Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.
The 2023 Broadway revival won four 2024 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Orchestrations for Jonathan Tunick, Leading Actor in a Musical for Groff, and Featured Actor in a Musical for Radcliffe. Maria Friedman's direction also won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in London.
"Merrily We Roll Along" is a stage musical, not a TV series, so it does not have seasons or episodes. However, there have been multiple productions and revivals of the musical over the years. The original Broadway production in 1981 ran for only 16 performances. The 2023 Broadway revival had a limited engagement at the Hudson Theatre, closing on July 7, 2024.
The official trailer for the filmed version of the 2023 Broadway revival can be found on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4fu8p-l-Ck&pp=ygUZbWVzc2FnZSBpbiBhIGJvdHRsZSBkYW5jZQ%3D%3D
Viewers who enjoy "Merrily We Roll Along" might also like:
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- Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist: A series about a woman who hears people's inner thoughts through songs.
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