Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Goes a Long Way

One of the dangers of hearing a great Broadway melody by itself is it loses its context. Such is the case with SEND IN THE CLOWNS. Everyone has covered the song from Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, from Judy Collins to Frank Sinatra to Krusty the Clown with the latter being my personal favorite.

It's easy to dismiss the song as a schmaltzy ballad, but when it is seen in context, such as Short North Stage's production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, it is easy to see why so many artists try to capture the passion of the song and why so few have. The song, delivered by Marya Spring, is one of the high points of the two-act musical being performed Oct.22-Nov. 1 at the Garden Theatre (1187 North High Street in downtown Columbus).

Directed by Michael Licata, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is a story of hypocrisy and infidelity as much as it is about love. In the opening part of the show, actress Desiree Armfeldt (Spring) is in a play about a woman complaining about her husband having an affair and yet discovers the affair might be the best thing to happen to the marriage. The "show within a show" mirrors the plot of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

Desiree finds herself carrying on affairs with two married men. She resumes a liaison with Fredrick Egerman (Mark A. Harmon), who recently married an 18-year-old trophy wife Anne (Jennifer Barnaba) but has yet to consummate the union. At the same time, she continues a tryst with the quick tempered Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Nick Lingnofski). Malcolm complains bitterly to his wife Countess Charlotte Malcolm (Kate Lingnofski): "I can tolerate my wife's infidelity, but if anyone touches my mistress, I become a tiger."

There's also two-facedness with the other members of the houses of Egerman and Armfeldt. Henrik Egerman (JJ Parkey) is preparing to take his vows as a priest and longs to have his spiritual convictions taken seriously. At the same time he's carrying on an affair with Petra (Eli Brickey) while pinning for his stepmother. Madame Armfeldt (Linda Dorff) constantly complains about her daughter's affairs while boasting of her own to her granddaughter Fredrika (Maria Dalanno).

Harmon, who was last seen in Columbus as part of the touring company of MAMMA MIA, has a real chemistry with Spring in songs like "You Must Meet My Wife" and displays a cocksure swagger when he matches wits with Nick Lingnofski's bombastic character.

Fixtures on the Columbus theatre scene for years, Nick and Kate Lingnofski appeared together in several productions including Red Herring's production of Sondheim's ASSASSINS but this is the only the second time the two have been a romantic pair. The two do a wonderful job in bringing to life the truly complicated relationship of the Count and Countess.

Parkey seems to be the Columbus' top exporter of brooding characters, having nailed title characters in Short North Theatre productions of THE WHO'S TOMMY and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. He doesn't miss a beat here as a suicidal, bookish seminary student. His delivery of the line "We have sinned! And it was a complete failure!" was one of the highlights of the first act.

Dorff brings a wise, world-weariness to her character while Barnaba and Dellano bring a youthful innocence to theirs. Petra remains in the shadows for much of the show but Brickey's reading of THE MILLER'S SON truly made her performance stand out.

Kristin Basore (soprano), Edward Carignan (bass), Vera Ryan Cremeans (mezzo), Jenna Lee Shively (alto), and Ryan Stem (tenor) are Sondheim's version of an all-knowing "Greek chorus" who provide commentary on the actions of the other characters in the show. Rounding out the show's performances were Nick Hardin, Doug Joseph, Chris Rusen and Sally Squires.

If you haven't seen A LITTLE MUSIC live or even if it has been awhile since you've seen it, the Short North Stage's production will help you appreciation of its beauty and the complexity of its score.

The Short North Stage presents A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC 8 p.m. Oct.22-24 and Oct. 29-31 with 3 p.m. matinees Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at the Garden Theatre (1187 N. High Street in downtown Columbus.)Call 614-725-4042 for information.

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