We just saw, and loved, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Stritch, and Stephen R. Buntrock in the Broadway musical, A Little Night Music, at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York, based on Ingmar Bergman's film, Smiles of a Summer Night. Written by Hugh Wheeler, with direction by Trevor Nunn, the setting is a country house in turn of the century Sweden, with a charming cast of characters whose lives are deliciously entangled in a web of intrigue, with witty dialogue, and memorable music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

As longtime fans of Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch, whose impressive combined credentials include multiple Tony, Emmy, Drama Desk, Golden Globe, and Grammy awards, we were delighted that their performances and those of the exceptional cast exceeded our expectations when we saw the play on October 17, 2010.

Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch

Bernadette Peters is no stranger to Broadway, and excelled in the role of the actress Desirée Arnfeldt for whom the play revolves. She worked her magic on stage with perfect comedic timing, small gestures, playful looks, and inflection that were Bernadette at her finest.

Caught in a triangle of lovers past and present, when Ms. Peters sang, "Send in the Clowns" in Act II, a song full of regret about the "what ifs" of life and being in the right place at the wrong time, there was not a dry eye in the audience, with thunders of applause and cries of bravo at the song's conclusion.

Bernadette Peters and Stephen R. Buntrock
as Desirée Arnfeldt and Frederik Egerman
Photo by Joan Marcus

Elaine Stritch also delivered a powerful performance as Desiree's mother, Madame Arnfeldt, deftly using her Broadway experience to her fullest advantage, and had the audience roaring with laughter with a mere glance, or when delivering her daily "words of wisdom" to her young granddaughter Fredrika, played by talented Broadway newcomer, Katherine McNamara. One such memorable line was, "To lose a husband, or a lover or two, during one's lifetime can be vexing - but to lose one's teeth is a catastrophe! Think about that as you chomp on that gingersnap."

Elaine Stritch as Madam Arnfeldt
Photo by Joan Marcus

Broadway veteran Stephen R. Buntrock was wonderful as the handsome Frederik Egerman, Desirée Arnfeldt's former lover, who having lost hope that Desirée would ever settle down, has married Anne (Egerman) played by Broadway newcomer, Ramona Mallory, who was delightful as his beautiful, yet naïve and innocent 18-year old wife.

Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, another Broadway newcomer, also delivered a strong performance as the young and confused Henrik Egerman son of Fredrik Egerman, who harbors a secret crush on his stepmother, Anne.

Leigh Ann Larkin was a tour de force as Petra, the sexy and sultry house servant to the Egerman family, flirting her way through the performance and charming the audience along the way with her incredible singing voice. 

Ben Davis as the philandering Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, Desirée's current lover, Erin Stewart as his wife, Countess Charlotte Magnum, and Kevin Vortmann as Mr. Lindquist, were also well cast in their roles.

A Little Night Music's plot will enchant you, its characters will romance you, and the music will have you singing or humming, depending on your style, the catchy tunes from the show as you leave the theatre, now that is what great Broadway plays are all about.

 

Luxury Experience is delighted to be able to offer our readers a special promotion code to purchase tickets at a special price. Be sure to use the special Luxury Experience Fan Code to receive a discount on tickets until December 26, 2010.

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Website: www.NightMusiconBroadway.com/Fancode.php

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Restrictions:

A Little Night Music Cast (in order of appearance)

A Little Night Music Orchestra

A Little Night Music
Walter Kerr Theatre
219 West 48th Street
(between Broadway and 8th Avenue)
New York, NY 10036
Reservations:    +1.212-947-8844         
Website:            www.NightMusicOnBroadway.com