Is A Little Night Music worth seeing?

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 12/15/09 at 7:03pm

I am possibly getting into the city in a few weeks, and I am considering seeing Night Music. After reading all the professional reviews for it and all the opinions on here, I can't seem to get a solid opinion on whether it's worth it to spend all that money or not.
With that said, I'm a HUGE fan of the show, and would love seeing CZJ and Lansbury. What I've seen so far looks appealing. Would those of you who have seen it actually recommend it in spite of the somewhat tepid buzz surrounding it?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 2:58am

Given what you have said: yes! go see it.

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 3:22am

I always ask myself when is the next time I'm going to see these people onstage again? Probably not for a long time, if ever. I'd go.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 3:52am

I enjoyed it, but it is expensive. Do I think it is worth the top price? I'd say no. But I really don't think any show is worth that price. But seeing you're a fan of the show and the stars, you might find it worth your while. The show is well done, and both actresses do a fine job.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 7:50am

I'm not seeing it, but you definitely should.

You'll kick yourself if you miss it. I'll kick myself if I see it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 8:18am

PJ. Do you think you should have skipped the West Side revival too?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 8:32am

There are some things gained and lost in a chamber version of A Little Night Music. The grandeur and romantic sweep of the original production, with its Boris Aronson sets, Florence Klotz costumes and full Tunick orchestration, is missed, as well as a certain lightness in touch. But I found a lot to like in Trevor Nunn's production too and was not disappointed in it. Lansbury, Zeta-Jones and Hanson are all very good, as is most of the supporting cast. The score remains a marvel of wit and style and it's a good-looking production in its own right and the set is rather ingenious. Jason Carr also works some miracles from an eight piece orchestration and the sound, while admittedly smaller than the original, feels appropriate to the scale of the production in a 900-seat playhouse.

In the case of Sondheim revivals, some productions are in an unenviable position. The productions that were startlingly different, like the Doyle-directed Sweeney and Company (like them or loathe them) or Roundabout's Assassins, which benefited from so few people having been able to see the original, got the reviews because there wasn't as much as basis to compare them to the original incarnations. The 2008 Sunday in the Park got much better reviews than the original production, although I think that was a case of the critics finally catching up with a show they didn't get the first time around. But the revival productions of Follies, Pacific Overtures, Into the Woods and now A Little Night Music have all been found wanting. Now these shows all had various assets and debits, but I think in particular, they are/were also competing with people's memories (real or imagined) of the original productions.

I think in approaching Sondheim revivals, it's best to love and admire the originals, but try to meet and appreciate the new productions on their own terms.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 8:41am

" Jason Carr also works some miracles from an eight piece orchestration and the sound."

I am glad someone said this. I've been afraid to. Of course I miss the bombastic sound of the original orchestration for songs like WEEKEND. But some of Carr's orchestrations are very good, and the quieter songs sound very similar to their original orchestration.

Updated On: 12/16/09 at 08:41 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 8:52am

You said you love the show, love Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, and the footage you've seen looks appealing.

Based on that, why would you NOT go?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:53am

My experience at the West Side revival is why I'm skipping this one. I was angry about that for months.

I have 5 performances of the original cast of Night Music to remember, as well as 1 of the touring company and the concert with Natasha to remember. That's enough to make me love the show for the rest of my life.

I recently found the souvenir booklet I bought at one of those performances. To my great shock, tucked inside was my 8x10 head shot from that year: 1973.

I was 17, I had great big 70s hair, I loved Sondheim/Prince musicals and I wanted to be an actor.

[once a month]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:59am

By all means...see it. Who cares what detractors claim, if you're interested, don't miss it. I loved it. The time flew by for me, and I didn't even notice the shadows.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:24am

It's Angela Lansbury starring in a Sondheim musical that has never been revived on Broadway. For that reason alone...I would go (and AM going).

[fflagg]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:33am

I had front row seats for $125.00. A crime. For that money I want Daniel Craig as Fredrik and Scarlett Johannsen as Petra and Rufus Sewell as Carl-Magnus.

See the show for Catherine and Angela. Kudos to both. As for the rest of the cast. . . who??

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:48am

Oy. We have more drama here than up on stage.
Updated On: 12/16/09 at 10:48 AM

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:56am

The reason I hesitate is because a lot of other people who also love the show and had high expectations have not had the best things to say about it. But now I think I will see it, if I do end up making it into the city, along with Hair, Ragtime, and my second time at Next to Normal for Aaron's last performance(since I saw Kyle last time and want to see the full OBC).

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:56am

Joe--I would go see it if you fly in to see it with me.

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:09am

If I could do it I would- even with you. I've never regretted seeing a production of "Night Music" and can't imagine how wonderful it would be to see Angela Lansbury in that role. If I am able to make it to town before she leaves I'll let you know.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:32am

Let me know in advance and I'll and get house seats.

[binau]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 2:49pm

fflagg, I'm a n00b at this but how did you get front row seats? Do I just keep refreshing /asking for new tickets until the seats 'come'?

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 3:37pm

Can you get house seats for me, too, PJ?

[Scripps2]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 4:10pm

"Now these shows all had various assets and debits"

So does the Enron play.

And a hell of a lot of credits.