Meet the Actors of 'A Little Night Music'

The first Friday night after each opening night, Center Stage has always scheduled their "Meet the Actors" night where after the performance, theater-goers get a chance to listen, question, and enjoy cast members following the play. These can often be quite hilarious, entertaining, and always informative. One always gets a different perspective when the actors let their hair down to discuss the production.

 There were close to seventy members of the audience of A Little Night Music on March 21 who after giving the cast a loud standing ovation, wanted to "get up and personal" with this amazing group of actors. The entire cast (minus Stephen Bogardus who had family in town) sat on the stage and Center Stage Promotions Director, Charisse Nichols, gave the microphone to those in the audience desiring to ask questions.

 Many were curious to hear from Polly Bergen. She was asked to describe the kind of roles she selected. Bergen didn't hesitate to say "I have always been a strong proponent of feminism and I strive to take roles that portray strong women." You can see Bergen interviewed on MPT's "Artworks This Week" Wednesday night, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. with a repeat on Saturday morning, March 29 at 8:30 a.m. This won't be boring.

 The actors thanked the dramaturgy department at Center Stage who made their rehearsal hall inspirational by placing some paintings of Gustav Klimt on the walls. (One is even used in the program.)

 There was an inquiry if the cast saw the inspiration of the musical, Ingmar Berman's classic film "Smile of a Summer Night" and they related they had just seen the film and did a lot of laughing watching it together.

 Kate Baldwin plays the Countess Charlotte Malcolm. (I remember her great portrayal of "Nellie" in the Arena Stage production of South Pacific). When she was asked about her character, she related that "At that time females were the property of men. Even though her husband was plainly having affairs, Charlotte had no options. If she wanted to remain a countess, she had to deal with it."

 Josh Young (Henrik) was asked how it came about he sells his CD in the lobby. He replied, "I was in West Side Story, not making much money so I decided to make a CD and sell it. It's a mixed CD with show tunes and ballads." It's for sale at Center Stage for $15.

 There is an Annapolis native in the show.  Julia Osborne plays the young 18 year bride Anne Egerman. Even though she is from the area, she admitted she has never performed locally before and she's happy to be home. She admitted she even enjoys the long and arduous technical rehearsals and was impressed that Board Members of Center Stage brought the cast Swedish food.

 Bergen chimed in that noted film director John Waters attended opening night. "I was here making his film "Cry Baby" for three months and fell in love with Baltimore".

 Playing the role of Petra and getting to sing wonderful ballad "The Miller's Son" is Sarah Uriarte Berry.  She appeared on stage with her daughter on her lap. She was very complimentary to Center Stage and the entire staff for helping take care of her daughter and allowing her to be back back-stage.

Another actress from Maryland in the cast is Barbara Walsh (who gets the chance to sing "Send in the Clowns" as Desiree). She hails from Chevy Chase and admitted she's never worked professionally in the area either. She added "It's very comforting". She had a cheering section who have followed her since she her days at Montgomery College.

Walsh and Amy Justman (Mrs. Nordstrom) worked together previously in Cincinnati and on Broadway in Company. They both can be seen in the recent PBS Great Performances presentation. When asked about the difference between regional theater and Broadway she added, "There are a lot of external factors in New York. There are always box office issues, publicity, dealing with friends, and you have no idea how long a show will last. In regional theater, there are no worries. You know when the show opens and when it will end."

Bergen then surprised everyone when she admitted that this was her first experience in regional theater. And when asked how Baltimore was lucky enough to have her, she responded, "I'm friends with director Mark Lamos. He asked me to do the play in Baltimore and I said yes."

The cast admitted that two members of the cast were out for an extended period of time due to illness during rehearsals. Even Director Lamos was in sick bay for a time.

Anyone attending the musical can notice the three television monitors hanging in front of the mezzanine.  These are used for the actors who can't see the musical director (Wayne Barker) who not only conducts but is at the key boards in the orchestra pit. Barker by the way conducts eight musicians, the largest ensemble in Center Stage history.

The music playing is superb. Besides Barker (who plays the piano/celeste AND conducts), kudos to  Celeste Blasé (violin), Keith Daudelin (woodwinds), James Gollmer (horn), Chris Hofer (bass), Lee Lachman (woodwind), Julia Martin (harp) and Kirsten Walsh (who has that great cello solo as Henrik sings "Later").

 How did Bergen respond to working with the conductor?  "I just do it and he follows me".

 Talking about the conductor and the use of the monitors, one actor was candid to admit he made a mistake during the show. Maxwell Caulfield (who boasts a heavy British accent) admitted he misunderstood a movement by the conductor which made him come in at the wrong time during "It Would Have Been Wonderful", his duet with Stephen Bogardus.  He stated, "We sometimes have a hard time hearing the music up here. I noticed Wayne pointing and I thought he was pointing at me but as it turns out he was pointing at the French horn player and I just messed up.  It's a complicated song."

 I had noticed the mistake during the show. But I admire his courage and candor to admit his faux pas in front of the audience.

 Bergen also admitted she made a blunder during her toast. "I was supposed to say TO LOVE but said TO LIFE (maybe she was thinking of L'Chaim in Fiddler on the Roof). This cast is so extraordinarily strong, they help me every night get through this."

 Allison Mahoney gave director Lamos credit for changing the lieder singers (a quintet) act as sort of a Greek chorus who on Broadway were stiff and wore gowns and tuxedoes.  She added, "This is so different from Broadway. We get to wear sexy outfits and feel like we're really part of the action."

 Mattie Hawkinson (Fredrika) commented she played the same part at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

 Center Stage received praise from Caulfield who raved about the beautiful space. He mentioned that much money has been spent on this production and …"it's ALL on the stage." He urged those in attendance to subscribe and support the work of Center Stage.

 One audience member admitted she flew in from Nashville, Tennessee to see the show. Bergen was so excited and blurted out that she was also from the bluegrass state, near Knoxville.  She stated proudly, "Once a hillbilly, always a hillbilly."

 The cast was then asked about their training and if and how they used it.

 Jacque Carnahan (Mrs. Anderssen/Dance Captain) went to the Boston Conservatory of Music.

Three actors attended Northwestern. Two are Kate Baldwin ("It really helped me") and Mattie Hawkinson. The other is Joe Paparella (Mr. Erlanson) who admitted he found out during the audition process that director Lamos is also a Northwestern graduate.

Josh Young went to Syracuse as a musical theater major

Amy Justman (Mrs. Nordstrom) was a music major at Yale and got a master's in opera from Manhattan School of Music.

Barbara Walsh was proud to have spent two years at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD and has had the same voice teacher from Silver Spring for 30 years.

Sara Uriarte Berry attended UCLA. She replaced her college room-mate Susan Egan as "Belle" in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. She suggested training at a four year university versus a conservatory. "We used to call non-musical theater people "civilians".

Julia Osborne who has a BFA from Penn State University stated, "I'm always learning".

Alison Mahoney attended New England Conservatory of Music as an opera major.

I've let the best response for last…yes, it came from Polly Bergen.

 What was her educational background? "I went to Las Vegas and sang with a band".

 This cast includes three Tony-nominated actors (Bergen, Bogardus, and Walsh) and a Tony-nominated director. Nine have appeared on Broadway. The others have extensive Off-Broadway and regional theater experience.

 If you have a copy of the original 1973 Broadway cast recording, look closely at the sexy, sensual cover. I was one of the lucky ones who saw this production which starred Len Cariou (the original "Sweeney Todd"), Glynis Johns, and Hermione Gingold (remember The Music Man?).

Well, this production is more racy, sexy, sensual, and fun than Sondheim could ever have imagined. And the cast?  See for yourself. They are all outstanding. Get yourself a ticket ASAP before there are none available. You will NOT be sorry.

A Little Night Music (winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical) continues at Center Stage until April 13. For tickets, call 410-332-0033. You too can meet the actors after the show. Just wait in the lobby!

For comments, email cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.