A Little Night Music

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by Hugh Wheeler

Directed by Dennis Canright

Music Directed by Jeff Crouse

Produced by MainStage Irving-Las Colinas

Audience Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes with a 15 minute intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Available

Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available

ASL Performance: Not Available

Sound Level: Comfortable Volume, may be loud for some patrons

Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: noose around Henrik's neck, gunshot sound

Reviewed by Natalie Shaw

We often hear the phrase, "The one who got away," when a character has suffered the heartbreak of letting a lover slip away. Often times, they will marry another and settle down. Sometimes, they will spend the rest of their days chasing the one who is the object of their desires. Where the matter gets exceptionally messy, is when they do both! This is such the case with the characters in A Little Night Music.

A Little Night Music, now playing at MainStage Irving- Las Colinas, is set during early 1900s Sweden and focuses primarily on lawyer, Fredrik Egerman (John Wenzel) and desirable actress, Desiree Armfeldt (Susan Metzger,) two star-crossed lovers whose lifestyles and contradictions could not step in sync with their longing for one another. As a traveling actress, Desiree refused marriage when Fredrik pursued her in their younger years. Now that she is ready to settle down and find a father for her daughter, Frederika (Riley Nowicki,) the widower Fredrik is tied to his 18 year old virginal bride, Anne (Samantha Snow.) Meanwhile, Fredrik's son and clergyman Henrik (Luke Weber) suppresses his romantic longing for his young step-mother, while she continuously rejects any seduction by her husband. As a side-story, the marriage between Count Malcolm (Jacob Catalano) and Countess Malcolm (Sarah Powell) reveals strain, as he also jealously pursues the glamorous Desiree, who more or less, does not return his same affections. Friend and confidant to Anne, Housemaid Petra (Ariana Stephens) chases fun and sensuality with Henrik and Servant Frid (Kristobal Rios,) acting as the highlight of female sexuality. A talented chorus of five (Nolan Shaver, Jake Busher, Jacy Shoening, Megan A. Liles and Katie Krasovec) narrates the driven story, while periodically playing apart in it. Mother to Desiree/Grandmother to Fredrika, Madame Armfeldt (Sally Soldo) acts as matriarch and protagonist for the overarching storyline. As their stories cross-over, deception and betrayal become prominent themes, showcasing the envy that exists in our basic human nature.

Director Dennis Canright has chosen an exceptionally talented cast of vocalist musicians, who skillfully carry the heavy weight of Sondheim's music and lyrics, and display broad characterization sufficiently. Susan Metzger's Desiree is gingerly designed and executed as the charming performer who lights up the room, much to her own radiant reflection, with an intoxicating voice that evokes even the most resistant listener. Sally Soldo's wise Madame Armfeldt is regally authoritative, whimsically witty and graciously hospitable. The onstage mother-daughter duo, Metzger and Soldo lay the foundation for Nowicki's innocent and inquisitive Frederika, displaying wisdom's cleverness in each generation.

Samantha Snow and Sarah Powell are the scorned and jealous wives, upstaged by Desiree's charms, who join forces and cunningly scheme against their adulterous husbands in efforts to win back their affections. Jacob Catalano's begrudging Count Malcom threatens John Wenzel's heartsick Fredrik for Desiree's sentiments in a duel, in efforts to reclaim his masculine dignity and self-absorbed pride. What both couples find, but might not have been prepared to accept, was the object of their own desires all along.

Music Director and Pianist Jeff Crouse's live orchestra blends magnificently with the vocalists onstage, making this a spectacular experience from the orchestra pit and the stage. Musicians Joshua Rosenbaum (French Horn,) Cassie Conway (Woodwinds,) Michael Dill (Woodwinds,) David Witherspoon (Cello,) Peggy Honea (Bass,) and Lukas Bartke (Violin) flawlessly capture the harmony and discord of Sondheim's score.

A Little Night Music is the perfect remedy for those of us who are romantic at heart. Tickets can be purchased at mainstageirving.com. A Little Night Music runs through November 16th.

Enjoy!

Natalie

Read the Extended Review of A Little Night Music on the Dallas Theatre Journal Patreon Page.