Marriott Lincolnshire Presents Stephen Sondheim’s Musical Triumph “A Little Night Music” Through August 9th
Experience An Enchanted Evening With A Little Night Music At The Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. A Little Night Music is a literal translation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s most well-known works: Serenade No. 13 in G major, popularly known as Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
The Broadway musical was inspired by Smiles of a Summer Night, an Ingmar Bergman 1955 Swedish film comedy. In 1973, the Broadway production had a book by Hugh Wheeler with music and lyrics by the famed, incomparable American composer Stephen Sondheim. It won the 1973 Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. The story is set in Sweden on a long summer night, with a dizzying array of partner-switching and regrets over life choices. The sexual escapades drive this satirical, farcical comedy.
Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre presents this rich, award-winning musical directed by Nick Bowling, a recipient of eight Jeff Awards for outstanding direction, through August 9th. It is smoothly choreographed by Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman. The superb music direction is by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson. Kudos to Brad Haak, who leads his eight talented musicians through Sondheim’s musical genius, with brilliant lyrics and song stylings. Sondheim’s lyrics move the storyline forward organically. The actors all sing exquisitely, seamlessly expressing their inner thoughts. The quintet singers are Victoria Okafor, Colette Todd, Michael Earvin Martin, Joel Gelman, and Kelli Harrington. Their vocalizations are ethereal. They act like a Greek chorus commenting on the foolish lovers’ behavior.
I was absolutely blown away by Sally Dolembo’s period costumes. They were stunning. The fabrics are rich and lush while the colors dazzled. Compliments to Miguel Armstrong’s elegant period wig and makeup design. Intimacy Coordinator Kristina Fluty’s staging of sex scenes is tastefully coordinated. Award-winning Jesse Klug’s lighting strikes the right notes for mood in this long summer evening of perpetual twilight and sexual escapades. Professor Regina Garcia does an outstanding job setting the mood for this intimate production in an arena-style staging where the actors must reset props. The properties designed by Amy Peter demonstrate her brilliant creativity. I loved the Japanese lantern as the fading sun, allowing us to embrace our imaginations.
Marriott Theatre describes this musical theatre classic knockout showpiece as: “a sumptuous, sexy, laugh-out-loud masterpiece that will leave you thoroughly enchanted. Set in 1900 Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress Desirée Armfeldt and the men who love her. Amid a flurry of jealousy and suspicion, infinite possibilities of new romances and second chances bring endless surprises. Full of hilariously witty and heartbreakingly moving moments of adoration, regret, and desire, this dramatic musical celebration of love features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most popular songs, including the haunting “Send in the Clowns.”
A Little Night Music stars the beautiful Alexandra Silber as Desirée Armfeldt, a glamorous Bohemian actress. She plays her part with flair and style. There was a moment early on where her dialogue was unintelligible, but that was quickly resolved. Her singing “Send in the Clowns” during the finale was chillingly hypnotic. Andrew Samonsky is making his commanding debut at the Marriott as Fredrik Egerman. I hope he continues to be in future productions. He is a middle-aged successful lawyer who is currently married to Anne, played by Addie Morales. Anne is an 18-year-old naive, frivolous, delightful, trophy wife who, after eleven months of marriage, is still protecting her virginity. She endlessly teases her stepson Henrik Egerman, who is studying to become a dour, serious Lutheran minister. Eldon Warner-Soriano as Henrik Egerman is sexually repressed. He believes everything of pleasure is a sin. He is very convincing in this role. Madison Uphoff as Petra, Anne’s maid, does her best to entice him with her sexual prowess. Although her role is minor, she is a powerful feminist figure on stage singing “The Miller’s Son.”
Carmen Roman portrays Madame Armfeldt, Desirée’s mother, who is wise, witty, and has seen and experienced the ups and downs of love connections throughout her years as a liaison. She cares for her granddaughter Fredrika Armfeldt, Desirée’s illegitimate daughter. Olivia Grace O’Sullivan is perfectly cast and a natural in this role. She possesses an understanding well beyond her youth. Carmen Roman and Jeff Award winner Veronica Garza have the juiciest roles, with cutting-edge lines that drew titters from the audience. Their comic timing and delivery are a highlight of the show. Garza, as Countess Charlotte Malcolm, plays the beleaguered wife of Count Carl Magnus-Malcolm, a pompous, narcissistic, philandering Count who believes fidelity in marriage is only compulsory for a wife. Alan H Green plays this role to the hilt. His paramour is the unfaithful Desirée Armfeldt, who is renewing her affair with her previous lover, Frederick Egerman. When they are all invited to a weekend at the country estate of the grandmother, Madame Armfeldt, jealousies rear and chaos ensues. We, the audience, are intrigued to discover who finally hooks up with whom. Do they make true love connections? I feel like this is more a subtle dramedy than a flat-out-comedy.
