If you missed our first-of-the-year Oscar and Golden Globe nominated movies, “Dallas Buyers Club,” you can catch up with “The Book Thief,” which opens on Thursday, Jan. 9, and will be followed next week by Judi Dench in “Philomena.” It is a wonderful time of year to warm your hands around a bag of hot popcorn while enjoying a feature. This year we also continue our intention to show three to four free offerings each month. This month, we’re pleased to screen the current episodes of the popular PBS series, “Downton Abbey.” Now, how cool is that?

National Theatre Live: The Habit of Art (reprise)

Thursday, Jan. 9 - 2 and 7 p.m.

Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, Death in Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W. H. Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first for 25 years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station. Alan Bennett’s play is as much about the theatre as it is about poetry or music. It looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men, and at the ethics of biography. It reflects on growing old, on creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion’s spent: ultimately, on the habit of art. Screens

“Downton” in Damariscotta

PBS series shown Fridays in Jan. and Feb. – 2 p.m.

Starting this Friday, Jan. 10, season four of the popular Masterpiece Theater series, “Downton Abbey will be screened. If you were unable to catch it Sunday night, or would just like to enjoy it for the first or second time on the big screen “of your community living room,” come join us at Lincoln Theater for this free series. (The first episode runs just under 2 hours. All others are just under 1 hour).

“The Book Thief” (PG-13, 2:05)

Based on the beloved international bestselling book, “The Book Thief” tells the story of an extraordinary, spirited young girl sent to live with a foster family in WW II Germany. Intrigued by the only book she brought with her, she begins collecting books as she finds them. With the help of her new parents, and a secret guest under the stairs, she learns to read and creates a magical world that inspires them all. Opens Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. and plays Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday with screenings at 2 and 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with Colby & Gale.

“Merrily We Roll Along”

On Saturday, Jan. 18, at 1 p.m., we will show a special broadcast of the Stephen Sondheim musical, “Merrily We Roll Along,” captured live in London’s West End. The next production from the National Theatre in London, Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, takes place live on Thursday, Jan. 30. Mark your calendars now.

Up next

Playing in January: Philomena opens Friday Jan 17; and Nebraska opens Friday Jan 24. Also on deck: Meryl Streep in “August: Osage County,” Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks in “Saving Mr. Banks,” and more.

The theater’s complete January schedule and information on all theater events are available at www.atthelincoln.org. Check us out by viewing our facebook page, calling the theater’s box office at 207-563-3424, or by dropping by for a visit. The office is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Be sure to sign up for our weekly e-blast: each week we send out a listing of what is playing for the week at Lincoln Theater. To sign up, just visit our website and click “contact” or send us an email at info@atthelincoln.org and never miss a performance you’d like to see at the theater.

The Lincoln Theater is located at 2 Theater Street in downtown Damariscotta. Curtain going up!