It is time to confess: the Village News critic is an unabashed Stephen Sondheim fanatic. For many, his lyrics, music and humor are acquired tastes, and my personal fanaticism is fanned by repeated viewings of Sondheim works in San Diego, Santa Maria, Chicago, New York and wherever else the opportunity presents itself.
Last season, Cygnet Theatre presented a fund-raiser, two staged readings of Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning 1973 Broadway musical, “A Little Night Music,” which many consider his masterpiece. Had both evenings been free, the critic would have paid gladly to attend twice.
There was rejoicing when Cygnet announced a full production for this season and further, when director/leading man, Cygnet artistic director Sean Murray, announced he would stage it in the Old Town Theatre prior to its renovation.
Who knew there was that much stage to be had in Old Town? Proscenium walls have been removed, opening the playing area immensely and effectively as designed by Sean Fanning.
Further assets are Matthew Novotny’s fabulous Summer Nights lighting, Jeanne Reith’s costumes and George Ye’s amazing sound design, which makes every player sound as if they’d studied voice since being cast so they could be the best they’ve ever been vocally, including Murray, Randall Dodge, Sean Cox and Melissa Fernandes.
A crackerjack vocal/acting ensemble comprising Shelly Hart Breneman, Michael Dooling, Susan Hammons, Brian Imoto and Amy Northcutt introduces the musical. Ensemble players sometimes give voice to leading characters’ thoughts and sometimes merely comment, like a Greek chorus, on events. Importantly, they fill out and make thrilling the scoring and staging of the big numbers like “A Month in the Country,” which concludes Act I. James Vasquez is associate director and choreographer. Sean Paxton is orchestrator and Don LeMaster the musical director of the recorded orchestra.
The leads could not be better. Murray portrays Fredrik, a successful Scandinavian attorney who is married to a young wife (Courtney Evans) still virginal after 11 months. His song “Now” epitomizes Sondheim, who then brilliantly moves the number into a song “Later” for Fredrik’s son, Henrik (Sean Cox) and a trio sung by father, son and young wife, whom Henrik loves unrequitedly and unknown to her. The quality of the musicianship is superb.
The lonely Fredrik revisits a youthful affair with actress Desiree Armfeldt (Marci Anne Wuebben, who affectingly sings the show’s best-known number, “Send in the Clowns”).
Desiree is the current mistress of a pompous count named Carl-Magnus (Dodge), who is married to Charlotte (Sandy Campbell). Desiree invites Fredrik and his family to her mother’s mansion in the country. Carl-Magnus, who knows of his mistress’ affair and is bent on a duel, takes his wife along to the manse as well. Sandra Ellis-Troy plays the elderly Madame Armfeldt admirably. Young actor Nicki Elledge portrays her granddaughter. The rest of the fine company comprises Fernandes as Petra, Trevor Hollingsworth as Frid and Kim Strassburger as Malia.
“A Little Night Music” continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through May 11 at the Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St.
For tickets and information, visit www.cygnettheatre.com or call (619) 337-1525.
