There is a reason people have long been drawn to the theater. It tells unique and deeply emotional tales in a unique way. But not everyone has access to the best of the lights of New York City. So, in recent years, we’ve seen these productions captured for a wider national audience.

That’s certainly the case with Merrily We Roll Along, the musical written by George Furth with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It debuted in 1981 and has had a long run on the stage. While a theatrical version from Richard Linklater is in the works, those who want to see it in a theater won’t have to wait that long.

There is a new version, filmed from the stage production, that is making its way to theaters this December. It opens on Friday, featuring Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff in the lead roles. It’s sure to be a big hit with Broadway fans.

The show spans decades and follows the relationship among three friends. There’s writer Charley Kringas (Radcliffe), song man Franklin Shepherd (Groff), and budding journalist Mary Flynn (Lindsay Mendez). They have all been connected for a long time, friends, colleagues, and more.

It begins in 1977. Franklin is a big success, but his friendship and partnership with Charley has gone by the wayside. He’s hosting a big party, and while Mary is in attendance, it’s hard for her to see what Franklin has become. Then, over the process of the next two and a half hours, the story moves in reverse, as we see how we got to that point.

By the time we end, we’re back in 1957. Franklin, Charley, and Mary are talented dreamers on the cusp of finding their way.

It’s a novel way to tell a story. Doubtless that works a bit better on the stage, but it is still engaging on the big screen. This version of the stage production is filmed and directed by Maria Friedman, who works to capture the wonder of what’s happening on stage.

I didn’t see it on stage, but I was taken with Radcliffe and Groff. Both are quite good in the show and have good chemistry in this dense, often emotional production. I thought Mendez did a nice job too, but the crux of the story feels like it’s focused on these two creative partners and friends. It’s heart-breaking, in a way, to see it play out in reverse. It makes for a happy final sequence that feels bittersweet.

I enjoyed the production for what it is. It was fun to see the story play out on screen, but the drawback with these productions is you can’t totally capture a stage production on film. You can get close, but it doesn’t quite click like the real thing.

If you’re a stage musical fan, this will be an early December treat. If not, this might not hold as much resonance for you owing to the transition.

Merrily We Roll Along opens nationwide on Friday, December 5.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.