A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Transfers to Singapore, 11/9 to 11/14

Original Media Singapore brings Atlantis Productions (Philippines) recent critically-acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's 1973 Tony Award Best Musical "A Little Night Music" (ALNM) to the Lion City for a one week limited engagement at the Esplanade Theatre -- Tuesday, November 9 to Sunday, November 14, 2010. One of Philippine cinema's iconic leading ladies Dawn Zulueta plays Desiree Armfeldt, the same role portrayed by Tony Award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in ALNM's first revival on Broadway.

Masterfully directed by Bobby Garcia ("Hairspray", "Cinderella"), ALNM is Atlantis Productions' fourth touring production in Singapore after "Rent" (2001), "Avenue Q" (2008) and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (2009). 

"...Bobby Garcia never disappoints. Their version of 'A Little Night Music,' the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical based on Ingmar Bergman's classic film on love and second chances, 'Smiles of a Summer Night,' is one of the best local adaptations of a Broadway musical we've seen. The whole cast delivers superb ensemble acting but Dawn Zulueta singing the play's most famous song, 'Send in the Clowns,' is a truly magical moment in theater," said Filipino columnist Mario Bautista when he saw the production in Manila last month. 

Christopher De Venecia of the Philippine Star also had a rave review for the show's lead actress: "Dawn delivers the performance of a lifetime, not overplaying the character to depict a caricature but rather, tempering those tender moments that pull audiences in, hook, line, and sinker. Her 'Send in the Clowns' was in a whole other universe."

ALNM, which highlights Mr. Sondheim's rich music and sporadic bursts of counterpoint mostly written in waltz time (¾ time), was awarded Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Hugh Wheeler), Best Actress in a Musical (Glynis Johns), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Patricia Elliott) and Best Costume Design (Florence Klotz) at the 1973 Tony Awards. The stage musical was also adapted into film in 1977, which starred ElizaBeth Taylor, Len Cariou, Lesley-Anne Down and Diana Rigg. 

This year, Broadway celebrates Mr. Sondheim's 80^th birthday all year long with a birthday gala celebration; a Broadway theatre named after Mr. Sondheim; a musical revue "Sondheim on Sondheim"; a new book "Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981)", which debuted Top 11 on the New York Times Review Bestseller list this week; and last but not least -- the first Broadway revival of ALNM that opened with Ms. Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury (Madame Armfeldt). 

Directed by Trevor Nunn (based on the 2008 Menier Chocolate Factory production in London), Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch have replaced Ms. Zeta-Jones and Ms. Lansbury respectively in the Broadway production, which was earlier announced to close on Sunday, January 9, 2011 after 20 previews and 425 performances. 

Original Media Singapore and Atlantis Productions' Asian version of ALNM welcomes to the team renowned Australian sound designer Michael Walters ("Priscilla - Queen of the Desert", "Boy from Oz") who is tasked to make sure that audio levels are properly calibrated at the Esplanade Theatre.  Apart from Mr. Garcia and Mr. Walters, Chari Arespacochaga is on board as assistant director and choreographer; Ceejay Javier is musical director; Jonsy Reyes is lighting director; and Mio Infante is set and costume designer. 

Noni Buencamino (Fredrik Egerman), Cris Villonco (Ann Egerman), Felix Rivera (Henrik Egerman), Aly Serdenia (Petra), Jake Macapagal (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm) Jay Glorioso (Madame Armfeldt) , Crystal Baranda-Paras (Fredika Armfeldt), Jenny Jamora (Charlotte Malcolm), Gab Santos (Frid), Raul Montesa, Teenee Chan, Glen Llanes, Agnes Barredo-Fenoli, Bea Garcia, Anthony Tarrosa Ong and Jenny Nuyda complete the cast. 

To purchase tickets, call 6348-5555 or visit www.sistic.com.sg or http://www.original.com.sg/shows/littlenight.html.