The revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music will close on January 9.  The production features such Broadway luminaries as Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. 

 

A Little Night Music is one of Sondheim’s most charming, sophisticated and elegant theatre pieces. Based on Ingmar Bergman’s film Smiles of a Summer Night,  the musical originally arrived on Broadway in February 1973 for a run that lasted through August of 1974.  The current production is the first Broadway revival and opened in December 2009.

Night Music is a comedy about several mismatched couples who ultimately find their ideal romantic partners.  Desiree Armfeldt, performed by Peters, is a middle aged touring actress

performing in the city of an old beau, lawyer Frederik Egerman.   In the middle of a dysfunctional marriage with a much younger wife, Egerman seeks out Desiree, only to be confronted by Desiree’s paramour.  All of the parties descend on the estate of  Desiree’s mother (a former courtesan played by Stritch)  for a weekend  where the romantic mishaps only intensify.  

 

The musical is studded with Sondheim’s typically sparkling, wordly lyrics.  Much of the score is written in three-four waltz time which only accentuates the old-world, European atmosphere of the story.    The musical also features Sondheim’s arguably most famous song,  “Send in the Clowns.”      

 

The current revival originally featured Catherine Zeta-Jones in the role of Desiree and Angela Lansbury as Desiree’s mother, Madame Armfeldt.  Zones and Lansbury left Night Music last June and the production closed down for several weeks to allow for rehearsals with new leads Peters and Stritch.   The new leads have a considerable acquaintance with Sondheim’s work.   Ms. Peters created roles in both  Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George.  Ms. Stritch performed in the original Broadway production of Company and has long been known for her iconic rendition of “The Ladies Who Lunch” from that musical.

 

A Little Night Music is performing at The Walter Kerr Theatre at 219 West 48th St.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 212-239-6200.t