ROMANCE AND “NIGHT MUSIC” HAVE LAST WALTZ AT PLAYHOUSE Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 8:01 pm
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, perhaps the most beautiful of Stephen Sondheim’s scores, has its final Cumberland County Playhouse performance October 1 at 2:30. It first opened on Broadway in 1973, winning Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score, and a B’way revival is now running in New York. The signature song, “Send in the Clowns,” was a smash hit by Judy Collins, and won the 1975 Grammy Award. NIGHT MUSIC is the Playhouse’s second Sondheim musical, following 2005’s INTO THE WOODS.
Weslie Webster sings “Send in the Clowns” as actress Desirée Armfeldt, with Jason Ross as lawyer Fredrik Egerman, Desirée’s former lover. The third corner of this romantic triangle is Britt Hancock (from the National Tour of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE), as dashing Count Carl-Magnus, Desirée’s current paramour. Adding to the flirtation, romance and risqué story are Nicole Begué as Anne, Fredrik’s 18-year-old trophy wife and tenor Gregory Pendzick as Fredrik’s 19-year-old son Henrik, who is of surprising interest to his new stepmother! Lauren Marshall is Carl-Magnus’slong-suffering wife Charlotte and veteran actress Carol Irvin portrays the wise grandmother (and former courtesan) Madame Armfeldt.
At the heart of this show about relationships and the challenges of love and marriage, is a quintet of singers who lead us on a waltz of romance, and comments on life. Rounding out the cast is Nicole Bowles as the earthy, flirtatious maid Petra, Michael Ruff as Mme. Armfeldt’s butler, and Tori Cannon and Makayla Moore as Desirée’s precocious daughter.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is music-directed by Ron Murphy, and staged by Michele Colvin and John Fionte, who last teamed up for CCP’s 2009 production of CAMELOT. Scenic design is by Mr. Fionte and choreography by Ms. Colvin. The show is rated PG-13 for mature themes, situations and language. Also at the Playhouse is the witty, late-in-life love story SOUTHERN COMFORTS, rated PG and sponsored by Mariner’s Pointe and Tennessee Heart; the gospel/bluegrass classic SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, rated G (except for that one word!) and sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store; and the magical BRIGADOON, rated G and sponsored by Discovery Depot of Cookeville. Tickets for all shows range between $13 and $26. For more information, visit www.ccplayhouse.com or call 931.484.5000 to reserve your tickets today. Posted 9.28.10 | 
