The Harbor Theatre

“Love and Mercy,” PG-13, the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys story, plays Wednesday and Thursday, July 29-30 at 7 p.m.

“Love and Mercy” presents an unconventional portrait of Brian Wilson, the mercurial singer, songwriter and leader of The Beach Boys. In the late 1960s, Wilson (Paul Dano) stopped touring, produced "Pet Sounds" and began to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson (John Cusack), under the sway of a controlling therapist (played by Paul Giamatti), finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks).

Set against the era defining catalog of Wilson's music, the film intimately examines the personal voyage and ultimate salvation of the icon whose success came at extraordinary personal cost.

Reviewing for the New York Times, A. O. Scott writes: “This movie, a smart, compassionate, refreshingly unconventional biopic directed by Bill Pohlad, explores the mental world and the artistic method of a great artist.”

“Mr. Holmes” plays Friday, July 31 through Tuesday, Aug. 4 nightly at 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.

“Mr Holmes” is a new twist on the world's most famous detective. The time is 1947. An aging Sherlock Holmes (Ian McKellen) returns from a journey to Japan, where, in search of a rare plant with powerful restorative qualities, he has witnessed the devastation of nuclear warfare.

Now, in his remote seaside farmhouse, Holmes faces the end of his days tending to his bees, with only the company of his housekeeper and her young son, Roger. Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy as he revisits the circumstances of the unsolved case that forced him into retirement, and searches for answers to the mysteries of life and love — before it's too late.

Moira MacDonald reviewing for the Seattle Times describes “Mr Holmes” as a gentle examining of life near its end. And with McKellen at its center, his face as gloriously long and complex as a Sir Arthur Conan Doyle plot, it's also a master class in acting.

Anna Netrebko and Placido Domingo star in “Il trovatore,” an opera in four acts (1835), with music by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). Libetto by Salvadore Cammarano. The opera was captured live at Berlin's Staatsoper Im Schiller Theater and is presented on-screen with English subtitles. It plays Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets for this special presentation are $20 for adults, $18 for children and seniors. Harbor Theatre members price: $16. Passes are not accepted for this event. Tickets available at the box office on the day of the show.

The Harbor Theatre is located at 185 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. For more information, call 207-633-0438 or visit www.harbortheatre.net.

Lincoln Theater

The theater is closed July 24 to Aug. 5  to accommodate the rehearsal schedule for “The World Goes 'Round,” a stunning revue of the songbook from the Tony award-winning team Kander and Ebb. Filled with humor, romance, drama, and nonstop melody, this title is a thrilling celebration of life and the fighting spirit that keeps us all going, the show opens Thursday, Aug. 6 for four performances.

The Lincoln Theater is located at 2 Theater Street in Damariscotta. For more information, call 207-563-3424 or visit www.atthelincoln.org.