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MILWAUKEE - Stephen Sondheim,
considered by many as the ultimate composer of American musical theater, first
gained notice when he wrote the lyrics for Bernstein’s score for “West Side
Story.” Sondheim has a very unique musical style and is an exceptionally
clever lyricist, as well. One
doesn’t want to miss a word, so vocalists have to articulate very carefully
when delivering his compositions.
The Windfall Theatre
celebrates its 20th anniversary with a stunning production of “A Little Night
Music.” One can hardly believe the assemblage of talent that Carol Zippel
gathered for this show. Sondheim
himself would probably revel in this showing of his musical on its 40th
anniversary.
Set in Sweden in the early
1900s, it is based on an Ingmar Bergman film, “Smiles of a Summer Night.”
There definitely are smiles in this show. It swirls along with graceful dancing
and sexual intrigue, amid the witty wisdom of Madame Armfeldt, the elder of the
tribe, so deliciously portrayed by Michelle Waide.
The opening overture
introduces us to five strong vocalists - Matt Wickey, Kristin Pagenkopf, Marcee
Doherty-Elst, Isaac Brotzman, and Heather Reynolds - who set the tone of the
whole production. We already sense,
under the musical direction of Christopher Wszalek, that we are in for a melodic
banquet. This quintet of voices appears regularly to provide transitions and
emphasize main turning points in the story.
The plot revolves around
Fredrik Egerman, masterfully rendered by the incomparable David Flores’ his
second wife, the still innocent Anne, nicely depicted by the lovely vocalist
Emily Pogorelc; his former lover and actor Desiree, a complex mix of flamboyance
and confusion, cleverly captured by Tamara Martinsek; and another unforgettable
couple, the blustering Count Malcolm (Christopher Elst) and his acerbic wife,
Charlotte (Laura Monagle), both of whom cross paths with Fredrik via Desiree.
Two other characters provide
supreme delight - Doug Clemons as Henrik, Fredrick’s tortured son, and the
flirty, dirty maid Petra, hilariously rendered by the inimitable Liz Mistele.
Alison Pogorelc does a good job as Desiree’s daughter and companion to her
grandmother, Madame Armfeldt.
Few of Sondheim’s songs
enjoy a life beyond his musicals, with the exception of “Send in the
Clowns,” which provides the moving climax of this show when Fredrik and
Desiree realize that they may finally get their timing right. There are many
numbers, however, that are vital to the context of the story and are beautifully
delivered by these gifted vocalists.
Several of these include
“Later” by Henrik; “Soon” by Fredrick, Anne and Henrik; “In Praise of
Women” by Carl-Magnus Malcolm; and “Every Day a Little Death” by Anne and
Charlotte. The ensemble number “A Weekend in the Country” is especially well
done, emphasizing in its lyrics Sondheim’s supreme sense of irony.
Mention must also be made of Petra’s strong rendering of “The
Miller’s Son.” Mistele has such a mischievous quality about her that one has
to smile just anticipating her next move.
I can’t rave enough about
this powerful show. It already has made my list of “The Best of 2013” and
it’s only May. I can’t imagine another show that will match this one.
“A Little Night Music”
has performances Friday, Saturday, May 16, May 17 and May 18 at the Village
Church, 130 E. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee. Call 414-332-3963 or visit
www.windfalltheatre.com.
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