A Little Night Music
The 1990 New York City Opera revival of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s musical about the romantic relationships between an actress, her former lover, his young wife, and his young son, during a weekend in the country in turn of the century Sweden. Broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center.
Where to watch
A Little Night Music was broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center on November 7, 1990. To date, the capture has not been officially released for home viewing, though VHS transfers have made their way to YouTube.
theatrical history
The Original Film
Smiles of a Summer Night was a film comedy written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. It told the story of four men and four women attempting to navigate the laws of attraction during a weekend in the country set in turn-of-the-century Sweden.
Released in 1955, the Smiles of a Summer Night was Bergman’s fifteenth film, and the first to catapult him to international fame. It was funded by the Swedish Film Institute at a cost of $100,000 — reportedly the largest amount ever spent on a Swedish film.
Smiles of a Summer Night was nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards, the Palme d’Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival, and a Cashiers du Cinema Award. The film won the Bodil Award for Best European Film, and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Poetic Humor. Criterion describes the film as “one of cinema’s great erotic comedies,” and Time included it in the 2005 “100 Best Films of All Time” list.
The film is still widely available (see Related Content below).
1973 Broadway Production
According to Sondheim in Finishing the Hat, the idea for A Little Night Music was sparked in 1964 when he and Hal Prince decided they wanted “to do a romantic musical, something flowing and operetta-like.” Prince and Sondheim initially wanted to adapt Jean Anouilh’s L’Invitation au Château (produced in English as Ring Around the Moon with translation by Christopher Fry), however Anouilh declined.
Prince and Sondheim eventually turned to Bergman’s film, Smiles of a Summer Night, and Hugh Wheeler was hired to write the book. Sondheim noted in Finishing the Hat that he initially did not take to Wheeler’s book, describing it as “boring and literal.” He later recanted this opinion of Wheeler’s book, claiming “After living with it through numerous productions for more than thirty-five years, I've come to the conclusion that it is one of the half dozen best books ever written for a musical.”
Sondheim noted that he was encouraged by his “real-life Muse” to use the project to “show off…[and] let loose with verbal dazzle and technical prowess.” In composing A Little Night Music, Sondheim was inspired by the musical form of Theme and Variations, and the music of Ravel and Rachmaninoff — the latter of whom Sondheim purposely referenced throughout the score. Sondheim also repurposed his own previously unused compositions — one of which was a waltz inspired by Ravel that had been intended to woo Anouilh into giving the rights for his play. Almost the entire score was composed in variations of triple meter (three beats to a measure).
Directed and produced by Hal Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell, the musical was choreographed by Patricia Birch, with scenic design by Boris Aronson, costume design by Florence Klotz, lighting design by Tharon Musser, musical direction by Harold Hastings, and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.
Choreographer Patricia Birch was fresh from her successes with the off-Broadway hits You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Me Nobody Knows, and the Broadway musical Grease. During auditions for A Little Night Music, Birch was concurrently preparing the national tour of Grease.
The cast included Len Cariou (Frederik Egerman), Hermione Gingold (Madame Armfeldt), Glynis Johns (Desiree Armfeldt), Despo (Malla), Patricia Elliott (Countess Charlotte Malcolm), Beth Fowler (Mrs. Segstrom), Laurence Guittard (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm), D. Jamin-Bartlett (Petra), Judy Kahan (Frederika Armfeldt), Mark Lambert (Henrik Egerman), Barbara Lang (Mrs. Anderssen), Victoria Mallory (Anne Egerman), Teri Ralston (Mrs. Nordstrom), Benjamin Rayson (Mr. Lindquist), Gene Varrone (Mr. Erlanson), Will Sharpe Marshall (Bertrand), and Sherry Mathis (Osa).
Tryouts began on January 23, 1973 at the Colonial Theatre in Boston. After 23 performances, the Boston run closed on February 10, 1973.
Broadway previews commenced at the Shubert Theatre on February 14, 1973.
A week later, The New York Times reported on February 21, 1973, that the musical’s opening would be delayed until March 4 or 5 due to Glynis Johns falling ill and needing to be hospitalized. Barbara Lang stepped in to the role of Desiree.
Despite the reported delays, A Little Night Music opened on Broadway on February 25, 1973 at the Shubert Theatre.
In a rave review for The New York Times, Clive Barnes described the musical as “heady, civilized, sophisticated and enchanting…” and “an adult musical.” Barnes praised Hugh Wheeler’s book as “uncommonly urbane and witty,” Sondheim’s score as “an orgy of plaintively memorable waltzes,” and his lyrics as “breathtaking…sassy, effortless poetry.” Barnes also extolled Hal Prince’s direction and his success in “something of the sensibility of the serious lyric theater” into musical theatre. Patricia Birch’s choreography was praised for its “style and pattern” and “subtly, almost unnoticeably” driving the mood of the show. Barnes was less enamored with Boris Aronson’s set design, but had plenty of compliments for the cast — notably Hermione Gingold, Glynis Johns, Len Cariou, Laurence Guittard, Patricia Elliot, Victoria Mallory and D. Jamin‐Bartlett.
Walter Kerr, also writing for The New York Times, was less enthusiastic. Kerr critiqued the musical being too filmic in its staging, the plot as “tamely routine,” and the use of the four extraneous singers unnecessary. Kerr was however enamored with the performances of Glynis Johns, Patricia Elliott, D. Jamin‐Bartlett and concluded “the score is a gift, the ladies are delightful, and producer Harold Prince has staged the moody meetings with easy skill.”
A Little Night Music was nominated for, and won, a slew of awards including the Tony Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (see Awards and Nominations below).
On September 18, 1973 A Little Night Music transferred to the Majestic Theatre.
After 601 Broadway performances, A Little Night Music closed on August 3, 1974.
Smiles of a Summer Night was a film comedy written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. It told the story of four men and four women attempting to navigate the laws of attraction during a weekend in the country set in turn-of-the-century Sweden.
Released in 1955, the Smiles of a Summer Night was Bergman’s fifteenth film, and the first to catapult him to international fame. It was funded by the Swedish Film Institute at a cost of $100,000 — reportedly the largest amount ever spent on a Swedish film.
Smiles of a Summer Night was nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards, the Palme d’Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival, and a Cashiers du Cinema Award. The film won the Bodil Award for Best European Film, and the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Poetic Humor. Criterion describes the film as “one of cinema’s great erotic comedies,” and Time included it in the 2005 “100 Best Films of All Time” list.
The film is still widely available (see Related Content below).
1973 Broadway Production
According to Sondheim in Finishing the Hat, the idea for A Little Night Music was sparked in 1964 when he and Hal Prince decided they wanted “to do a romantic musical, something flowing and operetta-like.” Prince and Sondheim initially wanted to adapt Jean Anouilh’s L’Invitation au Château (produced in English as Ring Around the Moon with translation by Christopher Fry), however Anouilh declined.
Prince and Sondheim eventually turned to Bergman’s film, Smiles of a Summer Night, and Hugh Wheeler was hired to write the book. Sondheim noted in Finishing the Hat that he initially did not take to Wheeler’s book, describing it as “boring and literal.” He later recanted this opinion of Wheeler’s book, claiming “After living with it through numerous productions for more than thirty-five years, I've come to the conclusion that it is one of the half dozen best books ever written for a musical.”
Sondheim noted that he was encouraged by his “real-life Muse” to use the project to “show off…[and] let loose with verbal dazzle and technical prowess.” In composing A Little Night Music, Sondheim was inspired by the musical form of Theme and Variations, and the music of Ravel and Rachmaninoff — the latter of whom Sondheim purposely referenced throughout the score. Sondheim also repurposed his own previously unused compositions — one of which was a waltz inspired by Ravel that had been intended to woo Anouilh into giving the rights for his play. Almost the entire score was composed in variations of triple meter (three beats to a measure).
Directed and produced by Hal Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell, the musical was choreographed by Patricia Birch, with scenic design by Boris Aronson, costume design by Florence Klotz, lighting design by Tharon Musser, musical direction by Harold Hastings, and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.
Choreographer Patricia Birch was fresh from her successes with the off-Broadway hits You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Me Nobody Knows, and the Broadway musical Grease. During auditions for A Little Night Music, Birch was concurrently preparing the national tour of Grease.
The cast included Len Cariou (Frederik Egerman), Hermione Gingold (Madame Armfeldt), Glynis Johns (Desiree Armfeldt), Despo (Malla), Patricia Elliott (Countess Charlotte Malcolm), Beth Fowler (Mrs. Segstrom), Laurence Guittard (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm), D. Jamin-Bartlett (Petra), Judy Kahan (Frederika Armfeldt), Mark Lambert (Henrik Egerman), Barbara Lang (Mrs. Anderssen), Victoria Mallory (Anne Egerman), Teri Ralston (Mrs. Nordstrom), Benjamin Rayson (Mr. Lindquist), Gene Varrone (Mr. Erlanson), Will Sharpe Marshall (Bertrand), and Sherry Mathis (Osa).
Tryouts began on January 23, 1973 at the Colonial Theatre in Boston. After 23 performances, the Boston run closed on February 10, 1973.
Broadway previews commenced at the Shubert Theatre on February 14, 1973.
A week later, The New York Times reported on February 21, 1973, that the musical’s opening would be delayed until March 4 or 5 due to Glynis Johns falling ill and needing to be hospitalized. Barbara Lang stepped in to the role of Desiree.
Despite the reported delays, A Little Night Music opened on Broadway on February 25, 1973 at the Shubert Theatre.
In a rave review for The New York Times, Clive Barnes described the musical as “heady, civilized, sophisticated and enchanting…” and “an adult musical.” Barnes praised Hugh Wheeler’s book as “uncommonly urbane and witty,” Sondheim’s score as “an orgy of plaintively memorable waltzes,” and his lyrics as “breathtaking…sassy, effortless poetry.” Barnes also extolled Hal Prince’s direction and his success in “something of the sensibility of the serious lyric theater” into musical theatre. Patricia Birch’s choreography was praised for its “style and pattern” and “subtly, almost unnoticeably” driving the mood of the show. Barnes was less enamored with Boris Aronson’s set design, but had plenty of compliments for the cast — notably Hermione Gingold, Glynis Johns, Len Cariou, Laurence Guittard, Patricia Elliot, Victoria Mallory and D. Jamin‐Bartlett.
Walter Kerr, also writing for The New York Times, was less enthusiastic. Kerr critiqued the musical being too filmic in its staging, the plot as “tamely routine,” and the use of the four extraneous singers unnecessary. Kerr was however enamored with the performances of Glynis Johns, Patricia Elliott, D. Jamin‐Bartlett and concluded “the score is a gift, the ladies are delightful, and producer Harold Prince has staged the moody meetings with easy skill.”
A Little Night Music was nominated for, and won, a slew of awards including the Tony Award for Best Musical, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (see Awards and Nominations below).
On September 18, 1973 A Little Night Music transferred to the Majestic Theatre.
After 601 Broadway performances, A Little Night Music closed on August 3, 1974.
Film history
In November 1990, the New York City Opera staged a revival of A Little Night Music at the at the New York State Theatre. According to choreographer Susan Stroman, the company felt the musical “straddled the line between the theater and the opera." Sondheim was directly involved in the production, working with individual cast members and attending rehearsals.
Under the musical direction of Paul Gemignani, the production featured a 60-piece orchestra playing Jonathan Tunick’s original Broadway orchestrations.
The production featured mostly Broadway performers, along with the acclaimed operatic mezzo-soprano Regina Resnik as Madame Armfeldt. George Lee Andrews, who had played Frid in the original 1973 Broadway production, was cast as Fredrik.
A Little Night Music opened at the New York State Theatre on August 3, 1990 and was performed in repertory through November 7, 1990.
In December 1990, the New York Times quoted Sondheim stating “The charm of this production is how they've managed to make it intimate on a stage three times as high and twice as wide as the Shubert."
In a less than enthusiastic review for the New York Times, John Rockwell stated “Overall the flow of the production lacks ease and intimacy,” and describing the sound as “reasonably tolerable,” and the scenic design as “blandly pretty. Despite these complaints, Rockwell felt there was “a good deal to admire,” and praised Sondheim’s “clever and sometimes very moving” score, Paul Gemignani’s musical direction, and the cast as an “artful blend of Broadway and opera.”
A Little Night Music was the only musical in the 15th season of Live from Lincoln Center which also included concerts featuring pianist Daniel Barenboim with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta, Luciano Pavarotti, Yo-Yo Ma, James Galway, mezzo-soprano Fredericka von Stade with the Vienna Boys Choir, and the Mozart Bicentennial.
In the lead up to the broadcast, stage director Scott Ellis shared “TV will enhance what we already have,” while film director Kirk Browning enthused that viewers were “going to get more of the text than the people in the house” and “…hear every word.” Adding to Sondheim’s sentiments about the intimate nature of the production despite the size of the opera house, the New York Times’ Jeremy Gerard noted “television reverses the theater-to-opera-house process, making intimacy possible no matter the size of the stage.”
The Rock Island Argus encouraged viewers to tune into the broadcast to catch former local Kevin Anderson, and noted that the Broadway performer had been a member of the Moline Boys Choir.
Produced by John Goberman, A Little Night Music was broadcast across the United States on November 7, 1990. It was also simulcast on radio.
The musical was filmed with six cameras - three in the orchestra and three in the mezzanine.
During the intermission of the broadcast, home viewers could watch interviews with Stephen Sondheim and members of the cast.
To date, the capture has not been officially released for home viewing, though VHS transfers can be found on YouTube.
Under the musical direction of Paul Gemignani, the production featured a 60-piece orchestra playing Jonathan Tunick’s original Broadway orchestrations.
The production featured mostly Broadway performers, along with the acclaimed operatic mezzo-soprano Regina Resnik as Madame Armfeldt. George Lee Andrews, who had played Frid in the original 1973 Broadway production, was cast as Fredrik.
A Little Night Music opened at the New York State Theatre on August 3, 1990 and was performed in repertory through November 7, 1990.
In December 1990, the New York Times quoted Sondheim stating “The charm of this production is how they've managed to make it intimate on a stage three times as high and twice as wide as the Shubert."
In a less than enthusiastic review for the New York Times, John Rockwell stated “Overall the flow of the production lacks ease and intimacy,” and describing the sound as “reasonably tolerable,” and the scenic design as “blandly pretty. Despite these complaints, Rockwell felt there was “a good deal to admire,” and praised Sondheim’s “clever and sometimes very moving” score, Paul Gemignani’s musical direction, and the cast as an “artful blend of Broadway and opera.”
A Little Night Music was the only musical in the 15th season of Live from Lincoln Center which also included concerts featuring pianist Daniel Barenboim with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Zubin Mehta, Luciano Pavarotti, Yo-Yo Ma, James Galway, mezzo-soprano Fredericka von Stade with the Vienna Boys Choir, and the Mozart Bicentennial.
In the lead up to the broadcast, stage director Scott Ellis shared “TV will enhance what we already have,” while film director Kirk Browning enthused that viewers were “going to get more of the text than the people in the house” and “…hear every word.” Adding to Sondheim’s sentiments about the intimate nature of the production despite the size of the opera house, the New York Times’ Jeremy Gerard noted “television reverses the theater-to-opera-house process, making intimacy possible no matter the size of the stage.”
The Rock Island Argus encouraged viewers to tune into the broadcast to catch former local Kevin Anderson, and noted that the Broadway performer had been a member of the Moline Boys Choir.
Produced by John Goberman, A Little Night Music was broadcast across the United States on November 7, 1990. It was also simulcast on radio.
The musical was filmed with six cameras - three in the orchestra and three in the mezzanine.
During the intermission of the broadcast, home viewers could watch interviews with Stephen Sondheim and members of the cast.
To date, the capture has not been officially released for home viewing, though VHS transfers can be found on YouTube.
cast & creative credits
Theatre: New York State Theater
Producer: New York City Opera, Live from Lincoln Center for Thirteen/Wnet
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Scott Ellis Film Director: Kirk Browning
Musical Director: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Susan Stroman
Scenic Design: Michael Anania
Costume Design: Lindsay W. Davis
Lighting Design: Film: Dawn Chiang
Sound Design: Abe Jacob
Stage Manager: Joseph Gasperec, Peggy Imbrie, John Knudsen
Cast:
Ron Baker (Mr. Lindquist)
Lisa Saffer (Mrs. Nordstrom)
Barbara Shirvis (Mrs. Anderssen)
Michael Rees Davis (Mr. Erlanson)
Susanne Marsee (Mrs. Segstrom)
Danielle Ferland (Fredrika Armfeldt)
Regina Resnick (Madame Armfeldt)
David Comstock (Frid, her butler)
Kevin Anderson (Henrik Egerman)
Beverly Lambert (Anne Egerman)
George Lee Andrews (Fredrik Egerman)
Susan Terry (Petra)
Sally Ann Howes (Desiree Armfeldt)
Raven Wilkinson (Malla, her maid)
Michael Rees Davis (Bertrand, a page)
Michael Maguire (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm)
Maureen Moore (Countess Charlotte Malcolm)
Judith Jarosz (Osa)
Servants
Michael Cornell, Ernest Foederer, Kent A. Heacock, Ronald Kelley, Brian Michaels, Brian Quirk, Christopher Shepherd, John Henry Thomas
The New York City Opera Orchestra
Producer: New York City Opera, Live from Lincoln Center for Thirteen/Wnet
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Scott Ellis Film Director: Kirk Browning
Musical Director: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Susan Stroman
Scenic Design: Michael Anania
Costume Design: Lindsay W. Davis
Lighting Design: Film: Dawn Chiang
Sound Design: Abe Jacob
Stage Manager: Joseph Gasperec, Peggy Imbrie, John Knudsen
Cast:
Ron Baker (Mr. Lindquist)
Lisa Saffer (Mrs. Nordstrom)
Barbara Shirvis (Mrs. Anderssen)
Michael Rees Davis (Mr. Erlanson)
Susanne Marsee (Mrs. Segstrom)
Danielle Ferland (Fredrika Armfeldt)
Regina Resnick (Madame Armfeldt)
David Comstock (Frid, her butler)
Kevin Anderson (Henrik Egerman)
Beverly Lambert (Anne Egerman)
George Lee Andrews (Fredrik Egerman)
Susan Terry (Petra)
Sally Ann Howes (Desiree Armfeldt)
Raven Wilkinson (Malla, her maid)
Michael Rees Davis (Bertrand, a page)
Michael Maguire (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm)
Maureen Moore (Countess Charlotte Malcolm)
Judith Jarosz (Osa)
Servants
Michael Cornell, Ernest Foederer, Kent A. Heacock, Ronald Kelley, Brian Michaels, Brian Quirk, Christopher Shepherd, John Henry Thomas
The New York City Opera Orchestra
Related content (books & DVDs)
Research Sources
Books
Articles
Websites
- Dan Dietz, The Complete Book of Broadway Musicals 1970s Broadway Musicals, Rowman & Littlefield (2015)
Articles
- Clive Barnes, “The Theater: ‘A Little Night Music’,” New York Times (Feb 26, 1973) p. 26
- David Bianculli, “TV tonight,” The Philadelphia Inquirer (Nov 7, 1990), p. 8-D
- Eleanor Blau, “For Regina Resnik, Feisty Fun In City Opera's 'Little Night Music’,” New York Times (Aug 23, 1990), Section C, p.15
- Olga Bourlin, “ANNE RAVEN WILKINSON (1935-2018),” BlackPast.org (Oct 24, 2012)
- Jon Alan Conrad, “Can a Bigger 'Night Music' Retain the Old,” New York Times (July 29, 1990) Section 2, p.19
- Don Davies, “‘Night Music ‘ on PBS tonight,” Wisconsin State Journal (Nov 7, 1990) p.7C
- Roger Ebert, “A midsummer night's sex comedy,” RogertEbert.com (Jan 31, 2012)
- Bill Ervolino, “A night musical on PBS,” The Record (Hackensack, NJ) (Nov 7, 1990), p. D-18
- Kay Gardella, “Hugh Downs: Music Man,” Daily News (New York), (Oct 3, 1990) p.69
- Jeremy Gerard, “Sondheim's 'Night Music' Set for TV” New York Times (Nov 7, 1990), Section C, p.22
- Mel Gussow, “Prince Revels in a ‘A Little Night Music,” New York Times (March 27, 1973), p.54
- Walter Kerr, “Who Could Resist These Women?” New York Times (March 4, 1973), p.119
- Ken Kubasic, “TV Spots: Downs on ‘Lincoln Center Live,” Newsday (Nassau Edition) (Sept 21, 1990), p. PART II/51
- Michael Kuchwara, “Loads of ‘A Little Night Music,’” Philadelphia Daily News (Nov 7, 1990) p.54
- Susan Lyall, “Call Her ‘New’ But Not ‘Hot’,” New York Times (Oct 29, 1972)
- Bill McElwain, “Former Moliner on TV,” The Rock Island Argus (Nov 4, 1990), p.G1
- Robert E. Tomasson, “Chronicle,” (July 23, 1980), p. B-4
- Sam N. Pitner, “Letters to the Editor: ETV just one of the many good things in Mississippi,” The Clarion-Ledger (Nov 20, 1990) p.10A
- John Rockwell, “Review/Musical; Love’s Labours Gained,” New York Times (Aug 5, 1990) p.48
- Uncredited, “‘Night Music’ Postponed,” New York Times (Feb 21, 1973) p. 36
Websites
- Criterion, “Smiles of a Summer Night,” Accessed via: https://www.criterion.com/films/849-smiles-of-a-summer-night
- IMDb, “Live from Lincoln Center (TV Series) — New York City Opera: A Little Night Music,” Accessed via: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359610/?ref_=tt_mv_close
- IMDb “Smiles of a Summer Night (1955): Awards,” Accessed via: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048641/awards/?ref_=tt_awd
- Music Theatre International, “A Little Night Music,” Accessed via: https://www.mtishows.com/a-little-night-music
- Playbill, “A Little Night Music; Broadway | Musical | Original,” Accessed via: https://www.playbill.com/production/a-little-night-music-shubert-theatre-vault-0000010474
- The Stephen Sondheim Reference Guide, “A Little Night Music,” Accessed via: http://www.sondheimguide.com/television.html
- The Stephen Sondheim Reference Guide, “Television and Radio,” Accessed via: http://www.sondheimguide.com/television.html
- Susan Stroman, “A Little Night Music,” Accessed via: https://www.susanstroman.com/productions/a-little-night-music