What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Night Music?
What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Night Music?
#1What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Night Music?
Posted: 12/17/09 at 6:36pmI just watched the recording of the Lincoln Center A Little Night Music with Sally Ann Howes and George Lee Andrews for the first time, and I loved every minute of it. However, I've only heard the music of ALMN before and never seen a full staged production. So, for all you experts out there, how did this production stack up? And how good would you say it is, compared with the current revival?
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#2re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/17/09 at 6:39pm
Some people don't like the sets of the new revival. But I think the sets of the 1990 production are hideous. The costumes too. Sally Ann Howes is just not very sexy. I don't see why two men would duel over her. That's what you lose with most 60 year-old Desirees.
I've only seen the recording, I didn't see it live. So maybe the sets and costumes came across better live.
Updated On: 12/17/09 at 06:39 PM
#2re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/17/09 at 7:20pmI've only seen bits and pieces of it on youtube. I wish I could see the whole thing, but I like what I've seen. I like the end of "Weekend in the Country" when the facade of the mansion flies in.
#3re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/17/09 at 7:31pm
*Cough* The whole thing is on youtube under the username TheSondheimFan *Cough* It really is only 16 parts long, so don't be alarmed when there's no part seventeen.
I absolutely LOVE their Henrik, Charlotte, and Anne... Susan Terry's Petra also does the most thrilling "Miller's Son" I've ever heard. And I was impressed by George Lee Andrews' acting-- everything he did felt so real that I forgot he was acting sometimes... it's a pity he's perpetually in Phantom of the Opera. I kind of feel like that's a waste.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#4re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/17/09 at 7:53pmMaureen Moore is perfection as Charlotte! I adore that performance.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
#5re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/17/09 at 8:25pmYou can get a DVD copy of the tape from www.premiereopera.com. I second any raves for Maureen Moore.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#6re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 1:00am
I Loved that production, but the rake was so steep. I was scared for the actors.
The orchestra, incredible.
Regina Resnik was amazing.
BDrischBDemented
Broadway Star Joined: 11/13/05
#7re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:00amDoes anyone here know what the curtain has projected on it in the beginning? An announcer starts to read it, but gets cut off when the orchestra starts. My copy is several generations removed, so I have no hope of making it out.
"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"
pinoyonbroadway
Understudy Joined: 8/4/07
#8re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 4:51am
Overall I though it was a great production. However I'm not fond of Danielle Ferland as Fredirka and I can't stand Michael Maguire as Carl Magnus. Other than that, I like the rest of the actors, especially Maureen More and Regina Resnick.
I haven't seen the revival yet (though I will when I fly up in January) so I can't really compare the two. But from what I hear from other people, the Lincoln Center seems to fare better
Everybody's Playing The Game
But Nobody's Rules Are The Same
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#9re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 8:53am
Yeah, Danielle Ferland's Fredrika reminded me of the Little Boy from Ragtime, which was really weird. The way she pronounced words kinda bugged me... but she did stay in character really well.
I think it's funny that Michael Maguire and Aaron Lazar both played Carl Magnus... both of the original Enjolri in the Broadway productions of Les Mis.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#10re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 10:50am
Isn't Premiere Opera a bootleg operation?
Having seen and been obsessed with the original production as a teenager, I was very critical of the New York City Opera production.
But coming after the demoralizing movie, it was at least an accurate representation of the original, despite lacking the original's charm and style and desperation and ruefulness and sheer magic.
Natasha Richardson had all those wonderful qualities, even with a music stand and a book in her hand.
That's why I had such high hopes for this revival, and why I can't bear to make myself sit through Trevor Nunn's misconceptions.
But sometimes I watch my video file of the NYCO's "Weekend in the Country" and I imagine and remember...
#11re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 11:10am
I love the 1990 revival. A solid production with a terrific cast. I wasn't too keen on the acting from (opera singers) Anne and Henrik, but they won me over, ultimately. And their singing is first-rate.
I particularly loved Regina Reznik. I think she is the closest I've seen to someone who could have actually BEEN Madame Armfeldt. Elegant enough, clearly a beauty "back in the day," with enough discretionary naughtiness to convince me that she was a calculating courtesan. And her "smokey baritone," as she refers to it herself in an interview, is magic on Liaisons. Such a brilliant interpretation of the song. Plus, her scenes with Daneille Ferland were truthful and understated, only adding to their impact. The "wooden ring" dialogue with the two of them is my favorite of all.
I also loved the chemistry between Sally Ann Howes and George Lee Andrews. They were charming together, and the ending was very romantic.
And the NYC Opera quintet with the full orchestra? Pure magic.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
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Updated On: 12/18/09 at 11:10 AM
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#12re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 11:25amThis was my first exposure to LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and I absolutely love it. Especially for Maureen Moore. I could watch her performance daily.
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
wonkit
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
#13re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 12:06pmI saw this production live twice, and loved it. Maureen Moore was absolutely perfect, but George Lee Andrews stole the whole show for me. He seemed to fit the character like a glove, and his singing of some very tricky music seemed effortless. He played Frid in the original Broadway production and, I believe understudied Cariou. Anyone see him then?
#14re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 12:44pm
He was very sexy as Frid, and on the Scrabble album (Sondheim Evening: A Musical Tribute--1973 Concert Cast), you can hear him singing the song they cut, "Silly People."
Thrillingly, I might add.
#15re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 1:24pmPJ, I've been meaning to ask you this. We know that Trevor Nunn was going to cast Natasha and Vanessa in the revival of his production before Natasha's unfortunate death. Would you still have skipped it, even with Natasha? I am sure Natasha would have been absolutely fantastic, but I doubt Vanessa's reviews would have been anything near Lansbury's.
#16re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 2:35pmI really enjoy the '90 Lincoln Center production. The only major flaws I find with it are that Sally Ann Howes is not remotely sexy (at least I don't think so), and the New York State Theatre. Since it was New York City Opera, that was the theatre it had to be done in, but it's probably the biggest setback for the production. A lot of jokes get lost, not because of delivery, but because they float out into the open air of that barn of a theatre. I saw Candide and Sweeney Todd in there, and I just don't think it's a proper theatre for musicals. That said, the set works for the space and the voices are truly wonderful. Definitely one of the best sung productions recorded.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#17re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 2:48pm
After the performance Natasha gave in the benefit, I would have gone anywhere to see her play Desiree again.
You might remember, but I said that, shockingly, Vanessa was terrible as Mme. Armfeldt. First of all, she didn't understand the convention of the staged reading: how much to read, how much to act for the audience, etc. That could be excused. But second, she didn't seem to "get" the character at all, the humor or the imperiousness. But I would have gone to see them and probably have been annoyed by Trevor Nunn's choices.
But if I'm not going to like the production, I'm not going to like the Desiree, I'm not going to like the supporting cast and I'm going to feel guilty disliking Angela's performance, I'm certainly not going to go because the Fredrik is a good actor.
It would be like Ann going to see Desiree Armfeldt...in The Wild DUCK.
#18re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 2:53pm
While Sally Ann Howes really doesn't seem like a 'sexy' Desiree, I really liked her chemistry with George Lee Andrews. They truly did seem like they loved each other. Their scenes together were so enjoyable... the same scenes that fall SO flat in the movie with Elizabeth Taylor (which I just watched today... I'm on such a Night Music kick right now).
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#19re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 2:56pm
" The "wooden ring" dialogue with the two of them is my favorite of all."
I truly hope you can see Lansbury's interpretation of that scene. I still can't get over it.
#20re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:00pm
PJ. Thanks for the explanation. But how do you know you will dislike Lansbury's performance? You very well may have disliked Richardson's performance under Nunn's direction. Sadly we will never know.
Updated On: 12/18/09 at 03:00 PM
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#21re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:05pmWas this production directed by Susan Stroman?
#22re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:07pm
Not exactly. Directed by Scott Ellis, Musical Staging by Susan Stroman.
P
P.S. This version is much better than the KenCen revival.
#23re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:07pmIt was directed by Scott Ellis. Choreographed by Stroman.
#24re: What Do You Think Of The 1990 Lincoln Center Production of A Little Nig
Posted: 12/18/09 at 3:14pm
P.S. This version is much better than the KenCen revival.
- Oh my. I've heard that production. What was Blair Brown doing? I think someone in the audience actually laughed during her Clowns.
And why cast her as Desiree? Completely unsexy.
Updated On: 12/18/09 at 03:14 PM
