A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC'S reopening tonight...(review updates here) — Page 15

I saw the show last night, and I must confess, felt very much in a "show me" mood. But I was deeply moved by the impact of the new stars, whose interpretations, to my thinking, have significantly altered the way the entire production coheses and drives and resolves. Peters seems born to play this role, which I hadn't expected. Her chemistry with Hanson is lovely -- they are a handsome, believable couple. She is so ideal, the only thing missing is a first act number (in this production, you are suddenly startled that Desiree doesn't sing during "A Weekend Inthe Country." I almost wish they could interpolate a verse for her in place of the vignettes with her daughter...but that's show queen-y fix it stuff; this musical doesn't need my help).

I think the new stars have turned this production upside down. It plays like another show. I hope Stritch holds up -- her work is revelatory.

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Bumping this for opinions on performances over the last couple of days. These are the performances that the critics will be attending, so I interested to hear folks' opinions. Thanks.

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No - the production didn't officially close so it wouldn't be eligible.

Thanks! Articles (including those from Playbill) say the production closed. I was wondering. :-]

Bernadette was on fire last night. A truly beautiful, raw, emotional performance. I can't remember the last time I heard a performer so connected to the text of "Send in the Clowns". And she and Hanson are so perfectly copacetic during "You Must Meet My Wife".

Elaine still misses a line here and there, but it's really nothing major. I know the script like the back of my hand, which is the only reason that I noticed; I'm sure someone unfamiliar wouldn't notice at all. She covered herself very well. Now that she has her lines in order, she's been able to carve out a fully committed performance. "Liaisons" is a mini-master class in how to act a song, and she's stunning in the book scenes. (She ad-libbed a couple of really funny lines last night as well, particularly in her first scene.) Her performance in Act II is everything you could want from a Madame Armfeldt.

The supporting cast just is what it is. Hanson is perfection; how was he not nominated for a Tony? Erin Davie now gets all the laughs, and deservedly so. Brava to her for making the character her own, rather than hueing to Nunn's ridiculous interpretation. Bradley Dean was on for Carl-Magnus (does Lazar ever perform anymore?) and didn't have a particularly good night vocally. Lots of straining. I've heard him sing before and know that he has a big, beautiful baritone voice, so I'm going to assume that it was an off night. Hunter Ryan Herdlicka and Ramona Mallory still grate me. And Leigh Ann Larkin...no.

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We saw it yesterday afternoon & La Cage has to be out of this world to have beaten this as Best Musical Revival

Bradley Dean was in for Lazar & I cannot image Lazar being any better. Frid was understudied as was the daughters role.

I cannot comment on the previous cast but Peters & Stritch were tremendous. Both really got into their roles & Peters doing Clowns & Stritch doing Liasons some of the best numbers we have ever seen performed. The small orchestra surprisingly was hardly noticeable. You could actually hear every word of the lyrics. Too bad this cannot get recorded for sale to the great unwashed masses such as all of us. Much has been said about standing ovations. Normally when this occurs a few get up & than more do with some feeling obligated to do so. I have never seen a standing ovation where the entire crowd got up as one as soon as the lights came back on.

An after dinner visit to Tricolore was the perfect ending to the day.

By all means see it if you can.

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Updated On: 8/1/10 at 10:50 AM

One can hope that the Theater Gods give us an early Christmas present.

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The performances of Stritch and Peters need to be preserved on film. A recording would not do either of them justice.

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Mr. Roxy- La Cage is out of this world. I haven't seen ALNM, but this production of La Cage really earned that tony.

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Katherine was on last night and she usually does Saturday matinees. Maybe she and Keatton reversed their order yesterday...?

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^ Well I hope the rest of the reviews are as positive as that one.

Just got back form this afternoon's show.

Lazar was out again, but the understudy was just as fantastic. Bernadette received much love from the audience. Her rendition of "Send in the Clowns" was a lot heavier than Catherine Zeta Jones's. Actually, her performance as a whole was. Jones was very sexy and jesting Desiree, and Bernadette gave a much different sort of weight to the part. Both great performances, but very different.

Elaine Stritch was salty as ever- seemed to do generally alright with lines. She fumbled a bit when describing the dessert wine in the dinner scene, but picked it up again before it was too noticeable. I wasn't a much fan of her "Les Liasones" though. It wasn't awful, but I did much prefer Angela's. Stritch shone most in her conversations with Fredrika when the humor could come out.

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double post

Updated On: 8/1/10 at 07:29 PM