Riedel: Light up the 'Night' (music)

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 1:06am

Maybe they should be passing out flashlights along with the Playbills at the elegant revival of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music," now in previews at the Walter Kerr.
Director Trevor Nunn's production is good (I caught it in London last summer), but the chatter around town is that the stage is so dark you can't see the great Angela Lansbury, the beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones or the mist-laden forest.

Sondheim himself grumbled (rather loudly) during the intermission of the first preview that he couldn't see his own show.
The legendary songwriter bolted up the aisle very quickly, giving rise to a rumor that he fled in anger.
But in fact he came back for the second act, and has been at the show ever since, chortling at some of his favorite lyrics and bookwriter Hugh Wheeler's witty jokes.

Nunn admits the lighting has been issue but says: "The only story is that we had a very brief time to get things organized technically. Some things weren't balanced, but we've been refining the lighting cues, and I'm very happy to say that I haven't heard anybody mention the term 'lighting' for the last three days."

Word on the street is that Zeta-Jones is drop-dead gorgeous in the show and is delivering a strong performance.

I had a feeling today's column would be about Night Music. But it's good to hear the lighting is brighter now.



http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/light_up_the_night_tVMJYPLmogVBfv023ayeCJ


Updated On: 12/4/09 at 01:06 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 1:14am

Ljay - thats the pic from People Magazine

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 1:15am

Ah, I figured!
It's lovely. Hopefully the rest of the production photos will be on the internet soon.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 1:17am

You know I have to see its odd...that costume for Zeta Jones isn't nearly as lush as what Waddingham wore in London...strange,,,

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 1:20am

You're right! It is a bit different.




Interesting.
Updated On: 12/4/09 at 01:20 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 12:04pm

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 1:31pm

Isn't it funny you can tell Riedel is really excited about this production. He wrote about when he saw it in London, and absolutely LOVED it. I'm just glad the show has already shaved 10 minutes from the Running time since the first preview. The improvements they're making to the lighting is equisite too. Angela isn't even missing lines anymore. I guess that means it's ready to open?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 12/4/09 at 2:49pm

Seriously, can you remember the last time Riedel wrote a positive article prior to this? (However, I do so love his snark potshots!)