A Little Night Music

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:19am

Is anyone else a fan of this wonderful musical. There are so many layers to it. I think I have it figured out and then notice something out - I love that about the divine S's shows. I have always wanted to do it. I've been trying to find photos ans have had a hard time. Anyone know where I can find them? Just had to post this and I hope someone else loves this one as much as me.

[riv]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:26am

Speaking of A Little Night Music, what's the story on the revival I heard about slated for next year with Glenn Close? Now she's in this TV show The Shield. What's happening?
Updated On: 3/25/05 at 11:26 AM

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:31am

Don't worry, Cheno, I think you've probably got everyone's support on this one!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:33am

Exqusite.

There a videotape called "That's Singing" that includes Glynis Johns and Len Cariou performing the song and scene of "Send in the Clown."

You MUST get it. It will let you know what that extraordinary production was like.

The video also includes some fantastic performances by Ethel Merman, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach...
That's Singing at Amazon.com

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:37am

Thanks so much! The money is flying outa my pockets! So glad to hear others enjoy it! I think it is High time for a revival since we were denied getting Judi Dench in the states, or a video at the very least!

Updated On: 3/25/05 at 11:37 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:37am

Glenn Close's appearence on THE SHIELD is a limited gig -- as of right now, the A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC revival is still on.

And I agree about Glynis Johns -- she's fantastic on that Broadway Showstoppers Special. She had that indelible combination of qualities -- an almost child like warmth, but at the same time alluring -- an earthy glamour that would make you believe men would fight for her company -- that make Desiree such a deceptively difficult role to cast.

I don't really think Close is the best choice to play Desiree, but I imagine her performance will be steller.

Several years ago, Beverly D'Angelo was offered the role at the Kennedy Center. She would have been a perfect choice in my opinion. She's much closer to the Glynis Johns mold...

[riv]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:39am

Thanks for the update. Close may not be the best choice, but she'll certainly sell tickets.

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:39am

Ms. Close performed at a Stephen Sondheim Celebration I believe that it was at C. Hall and she was great. Check out the DVD!

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:42am

Here is the link to the video:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005UKIW/qid=1111768862/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl74/104-7622968-2343163?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846
If any of you don't have it you really should get it. Has some of the best: The late and great Dorothy Loundon(?) B. Peters, Patti LuPone, Madheline Kahn, Mark Jacoby, and many, many others

Updated On: 3/25/05 at 11:42 AM

[Demitri2]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:43am

PBS aired a wonderful version of the show which was very true to the original. Unfortunately like "Crazy For You" it was never released on video or DVD. The movie was an utter horror with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The last production I saw of the show was in the '80's in L.A. at the Huntington Hartford. It was slated to star John McMartin and Lee Remick. Ms. Remick sadly passed away before rehearsals. Curiously Kim Novak flew down and auditioned and supposedly did very well but the producer went with personal friend Lois Nettleton.

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:46am

Do you know when it was aired? Someone some where must have a copy! They aired "Crazy for You" also?! Why don't they do that anymore? Ah, the good ol' days

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:55am

Was that the NY City Opera version with Sally Ann Howes, directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Susan Stroman? Regina Resnick was a wonderful Madam Armfeldt.

Hey, I didn't know the Kim Novak story. Wouldn't that have been fascinating!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:08pm

The LA version last year was glorious. A fave!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:14pm

Does anyone else think Angela Lansbury should play Madame Armfeldt, or is that just me?

Am I losing it here? I think she would be beyond perfection in this role...

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:16pm

SHE WOULD BE! WE NEED HER BACK ON STAGE.

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:16pm

Love it. Book her immediately.

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:16pm

I recently got a record player, which I'm really excited about, because it means now I can listen to my London ALNM recording (I got it for fifty cents at a library booksale last summer).

paradox, I think Angela would be great too.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:17pm

I would fly to NY for that occassion...

Angela Lansbury on Broadway performing Sondheim once more...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:18pm

If she still feels comfortable singing, she would do an amazing "Liaisons."

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 12:18pm

chenofan, I am curious. Have you ever seen A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC performed LIVE in a theater?????? I saw the original Broadway production and it was indeed a chore to sit through and a huge amount of folks left during intermission.

Of course, I fell in love with many aspects of the show AFTER familiarizing myself with it on cd. Unfortunately, LIVE in the thearer, the original production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC was long, lumbering and many folks particularly found the "back ground or pop in singers" terribly annoying. A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is muuuuuuuuuch too operatic for the "average" theatergoing. Like many Sondheim shows, it is much more enjoyable after you are familiar with the work.

"You Must Meet My Wife" is one of Sondheim's most delightful and playful songs. It did not seem that way LIVE on Broadway.

That is what frustrates many of us Sondheim lovers so much. To truly love all the treausres of a Sondheim work, you have to "invest" time and interest to unearth the richess and add the majesty of his works via repeated listening or viewings.

[chenofan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 1:29pm

Yes. I have not seen it on broadway, I'm too young(Damn!), but I've seen two opera companies do it. The first was at a small theatre in Fargo North Dakota where everyone LOVED it! What dose that have to say about NY audiences? :0 By the way that is a joke, no intend to offend. I think its that way with all Sondheim shows, some get it and love it - some don't. The ones who do are alaways a surprise

Updated On: 3/25/05 at 01:29 PM

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 1:58pm

chenofan, absolutely!! and then there are tons of us who fall in love with his works after familiarizing ourselves with them.

Sounds like you saw great productions and it says alot about you as a person and theaterlover that you were able to fully appreciate and love a Sondheim show on first viewing. I always suspected there was something special about you. :)

[jim coleman]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 2:03pm

Absolutely one of my favorite shows. Beautiful score, great book by Hugh Wheeler. Having done it many times, I always look forward to the next time. It is so intelligent, and, with the right director, it can be very touching, funny, and accessible. The original production had a coldness to it, I think, but it doesn't have to be that way. Cold or not, I still saw it on Broadway about 20 times. That was when an orchestra seat only cost you $15.00!! Those were the days....

[LostLeander]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 2:15pm

GAH!
Lansbury, live?
Death by brilliance, I think.

But that means I would probably attack Lansbury after the show at the stage, which is a risk she would have to take into consideration.

That woman. PURE brilliance.
SO underrated in the film world, too.

Gilly flowers, maybe, stead 'a daisies.
I dunno though, what you do think?

Gilly flowers..

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 3:03pm

Yes Lansbury would be amazing in the role - I hope they consider asking her to do it. Now if they can just find someone instead of Glenn Close - she will BUTCHER the part.