BWW Interviews: Utah Rep's All-Star Production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
By: Megan Gutierrez Jan. 18, 2016
Douglas Irey (Fredrik Egerman)
In turn of the century Sweden, trysts abound. A variety of people meet for a weekend in the country at Madame Armfeldt's estate, where a tangled web of romantic involvements surprise us with its twists and turns. Featuring the classic song "Send in the Clowns" and a beautiful, lush score, A Little Night Music is a story of love, nostalgia, regret, and the magic of music on a summer's night. This beautiful classic musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler is playing with Utah Repertory Theater at the Sorenson's Unity Center now through January 30th.
What makes this production a unique and exciting draw for Utah audiences is the inclusion of an amazingly talented cast including two actors with Broadway credits. In addition to several other Broadway roles, Susan Facer who plays the role of Desiree Armfeldt, performed the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera in the second and third national tours and on Broadway. Emmy nominated Elizabeth Hansen, who plays the role of Madame Armfeldt, has worked with big names in the Broadway industry such as Tommy Tune, Carol Channing, Harold Prince and Milton Berle. She is currently the Executive Director of Utah Lyric Opera. Megan Gutierrez, a theater columnist for Broadway World had the chance to hear from these two amazing women about their excitement working on Utah Rep's production of A Little Night Music. When asked the following questions, here are their responses.Susan: "Anything involving Anne Puzey (music director) and Chris Clark (Director) is bound to be quality. I also am in love with this show, so that definitely was a draw."
Elizabeth: "Are you kidding?! It's one of the greatest musicals in the American Musical Theatre repertoire. I fell in love with it when it first came out in the 70s and have wanted to be in it ever since."
Elizabeth Hansen (Madame Armfeldt)
What is your favorite scene or musical number from the show and why?
Susan: "I truly love so many songs from this show and my favorite keeps changing. Right now I'm pretty enamored with 'It Would Have Been Wonderful.' Sondheim is a master at marrying music and words. The funny songs crack me up and the sad ones make me cry."
Elizabeth: "Oh, gosh, that's a tough one. I first fell in love with 'Every Day a Little Death' when I was at the U of U and did the scene in class. It had such a gut-wrenching poignancy to it that really touched me."
Susan: "This is one of Sondheim's finest works as far as I'm concerned. The music is fantastic and the characters are interesting."
Elizabeth: "Not many elegant musicals are written nowadays. Most are garish and harsh. Night Music isn't. It deals with adult themes, don't get me wrong, this isn't Rogers and Hammerstein, but there is a grace and class about this musical that you rarely find these days." In conclusion, in addition to an all star production team and cast, A Little Night Music offers a hilariously witty and heartbreaking musical full of moving moments of adoration, regret and desire. Utah audiences don't want to miss the opportunity to see this rarely produced show running now through January 30th at the Sorenson's Unity Center. For more information and tickets visit www.utahrep.org.
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