Performance Network Theatre's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Begins Tonight

Join Performance Network Theatre during the holidays for the fervent tale of six-time Tony Award- Winning romantic musical, A Little Night Music with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler tonight, November 15 through December 30, 2012 starring Naz Edwards as Desiree and John Seibert as Fredrik. Please note there is no performance on Thanksgiving. The final preview performance will be held on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:30pm.

Set in Sweden in the early 1900’s, A Little Night Music follows a series of love triangles during “a weekend in the country”. Fredrik Egerman, a successful lawyer, takes his young celibate wife to a play starring his ex-lover. Anne, the trophy-wife, does not anticipate being spotted by the breathtaking Desiree Armfeldt, the ex-lover, while sitting in the audience. Overcome with emotion, Fredrik and Anne dash out of the theatre, leaving the former lovers flooded with memories of tousled sheets and hair. Meanwhile, Fredrik’s son has growing affections towards his stepmother and Desiree is faced with a jealous wedded bedmate. A series of events leads an anthology of couples to a weekend in the country filled with harmony and discord. A Little Night Music features the Broadway standards, “Send in the Clowns” and “The Glamorous Life”.

Performance Network Theatre is embarking on a new endeavor with their first attempt at a Stephen Sondheim piece in its 31 year history. “Since we have access to talent that can deliver, we chose this Sondheim piece because of the challenges it presents to vocalists and musicians,” said David Wolber, Artistic Director. Notable mentions of the shows lively cast include Performance Network Associate Artist, Naz Edwards, playing the role of Desiree Armfeldt. She was last seen at PNT starring in The Drowsy Chaperone and has performed on Broadway, national tours, regional theaters, television, even voice animation and a recently released album. John Seibert, playing Fredrick Egerman, is an Associate Artist with Performance Network Theater. His last performance was in The Vibrator Play as Dr. Givings. Acting in many productions, Seibert has also directed plays such as Circle Mirror Transformation and Doubt at Performance Network. A Little Night Music also stars Adrienne Pisoni, Barbara Scanlon, Madison Deadman, Eva Rosenwald, Scott Crownover, Joseph Feldman, Leslie Hull, Kristy Barnes, and Zach Barnes.

Performance Network is pleased to collaborate with talented and skilled designers such as Monika Essen, the set, props, and projection designer for A Little Night Music having just received The Rogue Critic Award for her designs for RED at Performance Network. Nationally recognized, She has designed sets, costumes, and props for countless Theater Productions. Phil Simmons, A Little Night Music’s director, is a member of Actor’s Equity Association with major Broadway production experience working on the tour productions of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and The Will Rogers Follies. Certainly not least, Ryan Lewis marks his 6th year as music director at Performance Network and 17th show collaborating with Phil Simmons. Lewis is also a composer and music director for Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Theatre along with recent works including composing for Jason Invisible and The Wings of Ikarus Jackson, both commissioned by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., orchestrating and music directing the National Tour and Off-Broadway premiere of The Berenstain Bears LIVE: Family Matters, composing Video Games: The Rock Opera and the world premiere musical with Ben Vereen, Soaring on BlacK Wings.

Performance Network Theater now offers Casual Thursdays, a more comfortable night out to the theater. Dress down for the Thursday performances and be sure to arrive an hour early for the PNT’s themed happy hours. Before every performance, enjoy a beer for two dollars provided by Ann Arbor’s Brewing Company or a glass of wine for three dollars from Everyday Wines. Please note, you must be a member to purchase alcohol (Memberships are $5 for the month or a $65 tax-deductable donation for the year).

Tickets can be ordered at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at www.performancenetwork.org or at Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Tickets are $32-$46), with discounts available for seniors, members, students and groups. There is a Pay- What-You-Can performance on November 17 (with a suggested donation of $15). Unfortunately, Pay-What-You-Can tickets for November 15th are sold out!

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