Information

Show Credits: Book by Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Description: One of Broadway's most neglected masterpieces, the romantic and achingly beautiful A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC deals with the universal subject of love, in all its wondrous, humorous and ironic permutations.

In turn-of-the-century Sweden, middle-aged Fredrik Egerman brings his 18-year-old bride Anne to a play starring his former mistress, Desiree Armfeldt. Soon, Fredrik and Desiree resume their romance, incurring the wrath of her current lover, a pompous Count. The situation culminates in a weekend at a country estate, with Fredrik, Anne, Desiree and the Count in attendance, as well as Fredrik's son (who is hopelessly in love with Anne), Desiree's illegitimate daughter, the Count's manic-depressive wife and the Egermans lusty maid. And there, under the summer night, things are set to right.

Sophisticated, literate and stylish, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is also disarmingly warm, funny, charming and very human. Its well-constructed book is one of the best ever written, featuring a strong ensemble cast of vivid, memorable characters that span all age groups. The lilting Ravel-inspired score in three-quarter time accommodates both strong and less accomplished singers and contains Sondheim's popular song, the haunting "Send in the Clowns."

Accolades/
Awards: Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning 5 including Musical, Best Music and Lyrics, and Best Book.

New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical

Insight from the experts Staging Tip: The Broadway set stressed a fluid merging of scenes with no cumbersome set changes. The stage was multi-level and used tracked platforms which moved the larger set pieces on and offstage. Rooms were defined by furniture groupings. The basic frame for the production was screens which moved to mask actors' entrances and exits and to define new scenes. The second act was dominated by the upstage facade of Madame Armfeldt's country chateau which remained throughout the last act.