Erivo, Graham, Gotay, and more to lead A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC IN CONCERT

Cast is here:

https://alittlenightmusicconcert.com

Thanks, Taffy.

• Susan Graham (Desiree Armfeldt)
• Cynthia Erivo (Petra)
• Marsha Mason (Madam Armfeldt)
• Ron Raines (Fredrik Egerman)
• Shuler Hensley (Count Carl Magnus)
• Ruthie Ann Miles (Countess)
• Kerstin Anderson (Anne Egerman)
• Jin Ha (Frid)
• Addie Harrington (Fredrika Armfeldt)
• Ellie Fishman (Mrs. Nordstrom)
• Samantha Hill (Mrs. Segstrom)
• Jonathan Christopher (Mr. Erlanson)
• Jason Gotay (Henrik Egerman)
• Andrea Jones-Sojola (Mrs. Anderson)
• Ross Lekites (Mr.Lindquist)

directed by JOHN DOYLE
conducted by Jonathan Tunick
vocal direction by Rob Berman
lighting design by Ken Billington
sound design by Dan Moses Schreier

Updated On: 3/25/24 at 10:37 AM

Are they putting Silly People into this? Because otherwise Jin Ha is a bit of extravagant casting for the role of Frid.

A 74-year-old Fredrik (Raines) marrying an 18 year old is creepy beyond measure, even in just a concert and album. But I also don't think Fredrik sounds right as a basso profondo...you generally want more of a vocal contrast between him and the bombastic count.

Susan Graham, Marsha Mason, and Shuler Hensley aren't among the first 50 people I'd consider for their respective roles. What a missed opportunity casting an opera singer in a role with one and a half songs, instead of an actress (RUTHIE'S RIGHT THERE!) who can bring out new colors in the piece.

We've already heard Cynthia's Miller's Son.

Some people seem to forget that NIGHT MUSIC is a musical comedy. The show dies if Fredrik and Desiree aren't genuinely funny (plus the carnal desire(e) that underscores numbers like You Must Meet My Wife).

Maybe I'll skip this one, since the NYTimes previously reported that Tunick would also conduct a recording of his new orchestration (which, I assume, will have a similar if not identical cast).

Updated On: 3/25/24 at 10:49 AM

Marsha Mason an inspired choice for Mme. Armfeldt. She will command the comedy particularly in the book scenes and, i would guess, also in song.

At this point, it's so bizarre that it makes me want to go (though Ruthie Ann Miles's Charlotte alone would probably get me to buy a ticket)

Most actors would likely already have their performance/concert schedules set for three months from now. This seems like it was "Get on the phone & see who is available!"

Sure, but being 10 years older than a character is different than being 30 years too old (with an actor who's closer in age to his Madame A than his Desiree). Even if this is merely a concert and album, we can only suspend our disbelief so much. But ages are the least of the problems for some of this casting :)

As with a lot of classic musicals, the actors playing the principal roles have gotten older and older as time goes on. The original cast was 49 (Johns), 33 (Cariou), 34 (Elliott), and 33 (Guittard). For me, ALNM usually works best when Desiree/Fredrik appear to be early 40ish, instead of in the twilight of their lives.

Of course, the National production is regarded as one of the best ever done, and the ages of those actors disprove what I've written above (Judi Dench was 60 and Sian Phillips was 62).

Broadway Flash said: "The only way to buy tickets is at the box office or by calling. Someone tell us the prices. Also, this sounds like the concert they did of Camelot before LCT did the full revival. That was also strange casting. LinMiranda played Arthur"

This goes on sale tomorrow at 10am online. Tickets aren't on sale yet as far as I know.

This ALNM concert has nothing to do whatsoever with LCT. That was a one-night benefit reading and LMM wanted to play Arthur. This is being put together independently by Jeff Berger, Jonathan Tunick, and John Doyle with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, renting out Geffen Hall.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Sure, but being 10 years older than a character is different than being 30 years too old (with an actor who's closer in age to his Madame A than his Desiree). Even if this is merely a concert and album, we can only suspend our disbelief so much. But ages are the least of the problems for some of this casting :)

As with a lot of classic musicals, the actors playing the principal roles have gotten older and older as time goes on. The original cast was 49 (Johns), 33(Cariou), 34 (Elliott), and 33 (Guittard). For me, ALNM usually works best when Desiree/Fredrik appear to be early 40ish, instead of in the twilight of their lives.

Of course, the National production is regarded as one of the best ever done, and the ages of those actors disprove what I've written above (Judi Dench was 60 and Sian Phillips was 62)."

Now the ever creeping upwards of the age ranges being cast in a lot of these classic shows is something I definitely agree with. I think a lot of that has to do with how people seem to physically age slower now than how they looked at those same ages back then, due to better diets, health practices, and of course advances in cosmetic surgery.