Atlas Media has just announced its upcoming feature-length documentary, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened -- a thrilling, behind-the-scenes look into the 'then' and 'now' of perhaps Stephen Sondheim's most beloved work, Merrily We Roll Along -- has been acquired for theatrical distribution by Abramorama, the industry's preeminent distributor of independent cinema. Check out the official trailer for the film below!
News of the acquisition comes on the heels of Abramorama's wildly successful launch of the new Ron Howard documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years, released theatrically this past weekend to strong reviews and topping the specialty box office nationwide.
Following its upcoming world premiere at the New York Film Festival on Sunday, October 9, Best Worst Thing... will be released theatrically on Friday, November 18 in New York City at Film Society of Lincoln Center's Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 W. 65th Street) as well as the IFC Center (323 6th Avenue); and on Friday, November 25 in Los Angeles at Laemmle's Royal Theatre (1523 Santa Monica Blvd.).
"We feel incredibly lucky to partner with our friends at Abramorama on the release of Lonny Price's incredible, must-see documentary," said Bruce David Klein, President & Executive Producer of Atlas Media. "Best Worst Thing... has truly been a labor of love for everyone involved, and we are so excited to finally share it with theater fans, doc junkies and curious filmgoers in New York City, Los Angeles, and beyond."
In a statement, Richard Abramowitz, President of Abramorama, said: "What a privilege it is to help get this wonderful film out into the world. First a film about The Beatles and now one about Stephen Sondheim. Short of Beethoven rising from the grave it can't get any better than this."
Best Worst Thing..., a production of Atlas Media Corp. in association with Allright Productions, is directed by original Merrily We Roll Along cast member and acclaimed director Lonny Price and produced by Bruce David Klein with Lonny Price, Kitt Lavoie and Ted Schillinger. Scott Rudin and Eli Bush serve as executive producers. The film features never-before-seen footage and interviews with the legendary Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, and original cast members including Jason Alexander, Tony winner Tonya Pinkins, Broadway veteran Jim Walton, Ann Morrison and many more.
Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened is the must-see chronicle of Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince's much ballyhooed reverse chronology musical Merrily We Roll Along which closed after just 16 performances in 1981 but gradually assumed legend status. This alternately heartbreaking and euphoric film focuses on the original cast members, then and now, and the special place this experience holds in their memories.
As previously announced, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened will have its world premiere at the 54th New York Film Festival on Sunday, October 9 at 6PM at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall (1941 Broadway). The screening will be followed by a post-screening Q&A with Stephen Sondheim, Lonny Price and other special guests to be announced. The NYFF will also screen the film on Monday, October 10 at Film Society of Lincoln Center's Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 W. 65th Street). For more info, visit www.filmlinc.org/nyff2016.
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