First Look: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC in Paris

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:09pm

The only part of this that looks remotely interesting is "The Sun Sits Low." Looks kind of fascinating. The rest looks like community theater. I love how Fredrik molests Desiree in the Clowns reprise.
Also on ATC, someone said Leslie Caron waltzes in the opening Waltz. I just don't think that's a good idea.
Also do the leaves fall from the trees during Summer in Sweden? They seem to be waltzing with leaves. Maybe that happens in Summer over there opposed to Fall?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqqkVQFNAq4
http://tinyurl.com/y9kcx5m



Updated On: 2/16/10 at 02:09 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:18pm

Those costumes look hideously ugly. Why are Henrik and (who I presume to be) Frederika so old? Not at all impressed.

The falling leaves may be anachronistic, but they do look pretty, at least.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:52pm

Recall that this is a production mounted by an opera company, where the ability to sing a role can take precedence over the accuracy of a character's age. Personally, I think the production looks lovely, preferable to the deconstructed (read: cheap) eyesore we currently have on Broadway. And I quite like Schacchi's choice to speak on pitch.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:53pm

I love, love, LOVE this photo of Leslie Caron.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:56pm

Recall that this is a production mounted by an opera company, where the ability to sing a role can take precedence over the accuracy of a character's age.

Regardless of who's mounting it, this is a musical, not an opera. There must be young actors in France who can sing these roles well that are somewhat age appropriate.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 2:56pm

Thanks. I'll take the Broadway set any day.



Updated On: 2/16/10 at 02:56 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:02pm

Per the website (and my limited French), it appears that the singer playing Fredrika is fifteen. She must just look older.

David Curry, the tenor singing Henrik, is in his thirties. Not terribly egregious.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:02pm

It sounds lovely.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:14pm

"David Curry, the tenor singing Henrik, is in his thirties. Not terribly egregious."

But Henrik is 19 years-old according to the libretto. People can bash the Broadway revival ALL they want, but it is quite refreshing to have an Anne and Henrik who look age appropriate.
Updated On: 2/16/10 at 03:14 PM

[Scripps2]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:14pm

The costumes for this production look very c19th whereas the Chocolate costumes could have tipped over into c20th. Actually Hunter's boots look like some Rockport are selling at the moment; I might buy myself a pair.

A friend saw the Monday night performance of this and texted me to say he wasn't going to tell me anything about it until I see it on Thursday! He knows how to wind me up.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 3:19pm

"It sounds lovely."

I agree, it does sound lovely. The original orchestrations are amazing.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 6:20pm

The orchestra sounds fantastic. Unfortunately, that shouldn't be the highlight of a production.

[alterego]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 7:13pm

I love the leaves! The orchestra sounds wonderful, as it should be - lush. Everything about this looks better than the tinpot version currently on Broadway.
Updated On: 2/16/10 at 07:13 PM

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 7:43pm

wow, this production does look really ugly compared to the Broadway revival

[wonkit]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 7:50pm

I actually thought the orchestra sounded awfully oompah-oompah.

[artscallion]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:11pm

Looks like cheap 80's regional theatre. I do love me some Leslie Caron. But I'll stick with the lovely Broadway production.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:15pm

"wow, this production does look really ugly compared to the Broadway revival"

At least they understand the meaning of the word "lush."

I was taken with the extensive silhouetting and the leaves look wonderful.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:20pm

I am REALLY curious if leaves do fall from the trees during Summer in Sweden. That part looks more like Fall to me than Summer.
Updated On: 2/16/10 at 08:20 PM

[Brick]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:22pm

It sounds and looks gorgeous.

Oh, how I wish the production at the Kerr was a bit more like that. So, romantic and, yes, lush is a perfect word.

[FranzRelax]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:31pm

Wow. it really does look like a cheap regional/community theater production! Ugly and cheap. Paris can keep it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:32pm

Whoa, I thought Henrik and Anne were Frederik and Desiree for several of those photos. Since their youth, particularly Anne's is so key to the plot, not just her own character, I think this is a big mistake.

Why so many photos of Anne but only one of Desiree? Was Anne's mother taking these pictures?

And while the sets aren't nearly as drab and boring as the Broadway revival, they still aren't good.

But I agree, PJ, that the photo of Leslie Caron is magnificent. It's particularly fascinating to see our lovely "Gigi," who was being carefully groomed to be a courtesan as a young teen, playing an aging courtesan in this show. Had Gigi chosen a different path (and not the handsome Gaston), she might have ended up just like this.

Updated On: 2/16/10 at 08:32 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:34pm

Yeah, I'm not really getting why there are so many pictures of Anne! lol.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:40pm

And poor Greta Scacchi (sp?) in that ill-fitting evening gown ... Couldn't they afford to have it tailored?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:43pm

Does Madame Armfeldt have a coffin in her mansion?

https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/upload3/104663/tn-500_nigh1.jpeg

[alterego]

Posted: 2/16/10 at 8:48pm

Yes the leaves do fall from the trees in Sweden, particularly if it is late Summer and they are deciduous birch trees.

No I'll go with this design. The set for the current Broadway revival looks like it belongs to The Livingroom Players.