From March 14-16, University Opera, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Union Theater, will present a special production of Stephen Sondheim’s popular musical A Little Night Music. Directed by Karen K. Bishop Director of Opera, David Ronis, and conducted by UW–Madison Director of Orchestral Activities, Oriol Sans, the production will feature student performers from the School of Music, accompanied by the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra.
University Opera is proud to join with other Madison area companies in presenting “A Spring of Sondheim, a series of four Sondheim shows in four months.” A Little Night Music, in March, follows Four Seasons Theatre’s production of Company (February), and precedes Music Theatre of Madison’s Marry Me A Little (April) and Middleton Players Theatre’s Merrily We Roll Along (May).
A Little Night Music is set in early 20th-century Sweden on the longest night of the year. Sondheim’s ravishing score, featuring his best-known song “Send in the Clowns,” is entirely written in ¾ time. The story explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress Desirée Armfeldt and the men who love her: a lawyer named Fredrik Egerman and Carl-Magnus Malcolm, a military officer.
When the traveling actress performs in Fredrik’s town, the estranged lovers’ passion rekindles. This strikes a flurry of jealousy and suspicion between Desirée; Fredrik; Fredrik’s wife, Anne; Desirée’s current lover Carl-Magnus; and Carl-Magnus’ wife, Charlotte. Both men–as well as their jealous wives–agree to join Desirée and her family for a weekend at Desirée’s mother’s country estate. In the perpetual twilight of the Nordic summer, lovers waltz in and out of each other’s lives and arms during a weekend romp filled with possibility, second chances, and endless surprises.
The large production will involve over 70 UW–Madison students–singer-actors, instrumentalists, technicians, and stage crew–spanning a wide age range, from freshmen to doctoral students.
The central role of Desirée Armfeldt will be performed by Madison Barrett. Her lovers, Fredrik Egerman and Carl-Magnus Malcolm will be played, respectively, by Alexander Cook and Grady Hayden. Fredrik’s young wife, Anne, will be doubled by Isabella Nowka and Elena Paul. Likewise, both Ben Johnson and Nathen Lê will take on the role of Fredrik’s son, Henrik. Charlotte, Carl-Magnus’ wife, will be performed by Kaitlin Case and Eliza Morris and Avery Brutosky and Danielle Bullock will share the role of the Egerman’s maid, Petra.
Guest alumna Jessica Kasinski will play Desirée’s mother, Madame Armfeldt, and Haley Street will play Desirée’s daughter, Fredrika. The quintet of “Liebeslieders” will be: Minseon Lee (Mrs. Nordstrom), Katie Eggers and Zoë Miller (Mrs. Segstrom), Brendin Larson and Rach Misner (Mrs. Anderssen), Ben Johnson and Nathan Lê (Mr. Erlanson) and Corey Lallo (Mr. Lindquist). Rounding out the cast will be Matthew Jordan as Frid, Lydia Jewell as Malla, Kyla Moore as Osa, and Camille Bruce-DeMuri. In addition to the orchestra, the musical team will consist of UW–Madison vocal coach Thomas Kasdorf (musical preparation), and Frankie Bones (rehearsal pianist). Graduate conducting student Elijah Schuh will serve as assistant conductor and conduct one performance.
The production will be designed by Em Allen with lighting by Zak Stowe, costumes by Kenneth Hoversten and Emily Popp, wigs by Jan Ross, and sound by Taylor Marshall. Dustin Strobush will be the technical director, and the production stage manager will be Alissa Berman. Others on the production staff include Zak Wolff, props designer; Ben Johnson, operations manager for University Opera; Sam Speer, sound assistant; and assistant stage managers Meghan Stecker, Lily Balge, and Lillian Doyle.
Ticket prices range from $15-$47 and are available in advance through the Campus Arts Ticketing office at (608) 265-ARTS and at artsticketing.wisc.edu. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office Monday-Friday, 11:30 am-5:30 pm and Saturdays, 12 pm-5 pm. Tickets may also be purchased at the door beginning one hour before the performance.
A Little Night Music is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
