NYCO A little Night Music

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 6:50pm

Just put my VHS of the Lincoln Center telecast on DVD ... what a great production it was!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 7:28pm

Wont ever happen: Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts contractually can't be released on video!

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 7:58pm

Don't think Mister Russell was asking if it would be released.

I think he was just stating a fact and an opinion.

I have a love/hate reaction to the production. I ADORE Maureen Moore as the Countess. She is the best I've ever seen. I like Resnik's Madame Armfeldt as well.

But Sally Ann Howes (sp?) as Desiree leaves me flat. Plus I think she is too old.

And there isn't a HINT of European sophistication from that clunky Frederica.. She is closer to THE FACTS OF LIFE than A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

Updated On: 9/2/08 at 07:58 PM

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 8:21pm

Ugh, BFB, I agree about Frederika. I love Danielle Ferland in Into the Woods, but I can't stand her in this.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 9:24pm

MB needs to check his glasses!

BFB---I still think it's the best production (all around) that I've seen.

And I agree about Maureen Moore and Regina Reznik. They will be hard to top... ever.

As far as Miss Facts Of Life... Yes, she's not very "euro," but there's a sincerity to her that is absolutely terrific. Particularly in her last scene with Regina... the "what does it all mean?" scene. They are both so good there, I forgive her for being too American.

And I'm not too crazy about the acting from Henrik and Anne (the opera singers), but at least their singing is first-rate. Incredibly first-rate.

I revisit it from time to time, and I'm never disappointed in the quality of that production. It holds up so well.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:10pm

Love George Lee Andrews in this production. He has both the singing voice and the acting talent to make Frederick foolish AND sympathetic.

[Jon]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:16pm

I like most of the performances, but I find the production visually dull and boring. More movement, color and light is needed to keep one awake.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:28pm

Maureen Moore is so brilliant in this it blows my mind.

Who plays Petra? I like her.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:38pm

I absolutely adore this production. Sure a few of the performances fall a little flat, but it's still an incredible production nontheless. I really would love to see a full scale revival of ALNM. I think out of all of Sondheim's shows, this is the one that deserves a beautifully, but carefully done revival.

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 11:08pm

Is there a video released for purchase, or are you guys just referring back to what you've recorded from when it was broadcast?

I really want to see it...

[commasplice]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 11:13pm

theaterkid, Petra is played by Susan Terry.

I adore Maureen Moore's Charlotte. She's wonderful. Her line readings (especially in "A Weekend in the Country") are often reminiscent of Diana Rigg's in the film.

[sparrman]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 11:32pm

I believe Beverly Lambert, the Anne, had more of a musical theatre background than opera.

And no one has yet mentioned how dreadful Michael Maguire is in this.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 11:41pm

There are bootlegs available of this production on DVD if you know where to look for them...

[dcl7777]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 6:16am

Did this production use some similar set and stage direction in the original broadway production?

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 1:13pm

"There are bootlegs available of this production on DVD if you know where to look for them..."

.... and where's that?

[EugLoven]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 1:20pm

Gawd, what I would give for Roundabout to helm this revival... but as we know from Colored Girls and Godspell, it just doesn't look like today's economy and movie-loving-theatre-tourists give a damn about quality musicals! But I'm gonna keep dreaming. Because when that day comes, I'll need someone to scrape me off the ground (as I'll have melted)

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 1:23pm

I feel like Roundabout wouldn't bring the highest quality sound to the production and without it, any production of this show would fail miserably. I'd like it to have Lincoln Center caliber costumes and orchestrations as they do more than justice to most of their productions.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 3:29pm

I most definitely agree with LadyRosecoe, Roundabout should stay away from this one. With the first class treatment they gave to the SOUTH PACIFIC revival, Lincoln Center should definitely mount A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 3:53pm

Lincoln Center would present a fantastic NIGHT MUSIC.

I've seen clips of this production (sadly, not the whole thing) and I really like it. Maureen Moore is brilliant.

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 9/3/08 at 10:46pm

Bump.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 3:13am

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario is presnting ALNM until Oct 7 in their intimate 326 seat Court House Theatre. Exquisite cast accompanied by a five piece chamber ensemble. Well worth checking out!

[keen on kean]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 9:36am

Smaller is definitely better. The one problem with the NYCO production was the cavernous size of the New York State Theater.

[Jon]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 2:08pm

The NYCO production was completely different in set design and staging from the original Broadway version.

NYCO revived their version recently, so I doubt Linconln Center Theatre would mount a revival right across the courtyard.

[JBSinger]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 2:44pm

Loved the Broadcast. Wonderful cast and terrific production.
Saw the NYCO revival with Jeremy Irons a few years back. They had more actor/singers in it this time (Danny Gurwin, Michelle Pawk, Marc Kudish) and it was gorgeous and wonderful!
There needs to be a full fledged revival sometime soon.
Rumors are flying for Emma Thompson.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/4/08 at 4:14pm

Dream movie cast:

Desiree - Cate Blanchett
Frederik - Gary Oldman
Madame Armfeldt - Judi Dench
Carl-Magnus - Hugh Jackman
Charlotte - Gwyneth Paltrow


"Realistic" Broadway cast:

Desiree - Christine Ebersole
Frederik - Boyd Gaines
Madame Armfeldt - Mary Louise Wilson
Carl-Magnus - Paulo Szot
Charlotte - Marin Mazzie