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A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA

A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA

Andy51 Profile Photo
Andy51
#1A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 7/27/17 at 10:05am

I'd really like to see a good production of A Little Night Music, and am curious if anyone here has attended musicals put on by Signature in Arlington and/or is familiar with the lead performers in their upcoming production.  I'd appreciate any insights to help me decide whether to make the trip from Philly for this.  

http://www.sigtheatre.org/events/2017-18/a-little-night-music/

kdogg36 Profile Photo
kdogg36
#2A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 7/27/17 at 10:37am

I haven't looked into this production, but Signature is very well-regarded for the quality of its productions, and Sondheim is their specialty. I've seen excellent productions of Follies and Company there, along with a bunch of non-Sondheim shows, and have rarely been disappointed. (Maybe only their Chess let me down a little.)

Andy51 Profile Photo
Andy51
#3A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 7/27/17 at 11:38am

kdogg:  Thanks.  That's very helpful and encouraging.

morosco Profile Photo
morosco
#4A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 7/30/17 at 9:15pm

I wouldn't hesitate going.  I've seen some wonderful productions at Signature.  Top notch production values.  

BroadwayConcierge Profile Photo
BroadwayConcierge
#5A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 7/30/17 at 10:36pm

I've had the pleasure of visiting Signature Theatre many times during trips to D.C. over the past several years. Their productions rival and are oftentimes better than what I see here in New York.

Their brilliant production of West Side Story two years ago remains very close to my heart. I wish I could get down there to see this one. Don't miss it.

Andy51 Profile Photo
Andy51
#6A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 7/31/17 at 10:26am

Many thanks for the further, helpful input.  I bought my tickets and am very much looking forward to it.

morosco Profile Photo
morosco
#8A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/25/17 at 3:28pm

Andy, have you seen the show yet?  Be sure to report back when you do.

Andy51 Profile Photo
Andy51
#9A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/25/17 at 3:37pm

I'm going this Sunday.  Will report back.

DottieD'Luscia Profile Photo
DottieD'Luscia
#10A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/25/17 at 3:52pm

Signature productions run hot or cold with me. Some have been wonderful, others have left me disappointed.  A certain mainstay is in this production.  I've learned my lesson where she is concerned (giving the same bland performance in whatever show she's appearing in).  I'll skip this one.


Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

MikeInTheDistrict Profile Photo
MikeInTheDistrict
#11A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/26/17 at 12:45pm

DottieD'Luscia said: "Signature productions run hot or cold with me. Some have been wonderful, others have left me disappointed.  A certain mainstay is in this production.  I've learned my lesson where she is concerned (giving the same bland performance in whatever show she's appearing in).  I'll skip this one."

I think I know who you're talking about. If it's the same person I'm thinking of, I've always been confounded at her being cast in so many high profile roles in the D.C. area. She just stands there, singing blandly, with very little expressive range and no color to speak of. I feel like she must know someone high up in the chain because she often ends up in roles she's a poor fit for, both physically and vocally. 

DottieD'Luscia Profile Photo
DottieD'Luscia
#12A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/26/17 at 2:29pm

@MikeintheDistrict, I think we're talking about the same actress!!  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way about her.  Her most recent appearance in one of my favorite shows ruined it for me.


Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany

BroadwayConcierge Profile Photo
BroadwayConcierge
#13A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/26/17 at 2:44pm

Would somebody mind sharing or PM'ing me the name of who we're all quietly talking about? There's one person in this cast I've also found a weak link in previous shows I've seen her in in D.C., but want to make sure I'm not the only one...

South Florida Profile Photo
South Florida
#14A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/26/17 at 3:43pm

Concierge, there are a lot of people that hate (is that too strong a word) you on this board. I find a Trump supporter refreshing in this forum.  However, you're not allowed to come in here and write this wasn't a good thing... and still not write the words, clearly, I WAS WRONG ABOUT TRUMP, HE SUCKS, YOU GUYS WERE RIGHT!  If you add anything about his opponent you will not have apologized.  Until then the hate continues.

 


Stephanatic

BroadwayConcierge Profile Photo
BroadwayConcierge
#15A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/26/17 at 3:47pm

...you're requiring me to explicitly disavow the President in order to talk about a regional theatre production in Virginia that is completely unrelated to politics? Really?

South Florida Profile Photo
South Florida
#16A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/26/17 at 4:44pm

Yes LMAO, and I never do that acronym.


Stephanatic

MikeInTheDistrict Profile Photo
MikeInTheDistrict
#17A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/27/17 at 10:41am

DottieD'Luscia said: "@MikeintheDistrict, I think we're talking about the same actress!!  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way about her.  Her most recent appearance in one of my favorite shows ruined it for me."

Yeah, I think we're thinking of the same person. I also probably saw the production you're talking about (also one of my favorite musicals, at a historically significant theatre) , and left feeling utterly underwhelmed by her turn in the role. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I thought there was something I was missing about her appeal that everyone in D.C. could see but not me.

kdogg36 Profile Photo
kdogg36
#18A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/27/17 at 3:55pm

Just out of curiosity, why is everyone being so cagey in this thread about the identity of this particular performer? I would think expressing our dissatisfaction with an actor or actress would be well within the bounds of acceptable discussion here. smiley

MikeInTheDistrict Profile Photo
MikeInTheDistrict
#19A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/27/17 at 5:54pm

I don't know. I was just following Dottie's example, and then it kind of became fun to see how vague I could keep it while still dropping hints about the performer. I thought maybe they knew the person or something. The regional theatre world is a lot smaller than thew New York one.

BroadwayConcierge Profile Photo
BroadwayConcierge
#20A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/27/17 at 6:14pm

For what it's worth, Mike, Dottie, and I were all talking about the same performer. So... *grimace emoji*

doodlenyc Profile Photo
doodlenyc
#21A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/28/17 at 10:23am

I haven't posted in a long while, but saw this last week and was wondering what others thought. I love the show and thought this was a fine production. Well directed and a pretty consistent cast. Twyford was a good Desiree, nailing the comedy especially. Bobby Smith was a great Frederick and Sam Ludwig was a terrific Henrick. I also quite enjoyed both of them in the Signature's "JCS" playing PIlate and Annas respectively. The standout, as usual for this musical, was Tracy Lynn Olivera. The countess was a miss in the recent Bway revival, in my opinion. Olivera delivered Charlotte's quips very effectively, only letting her guard down at the right times. "Every Day a Little Death" was wonderful. Rizzo is a very good comedic actress, if not the greatest vocalist. Still, her "Miller's Son" was good.

I'm not sure why they decided to use a photograph of Twyford looking like she stars in "Caroline in the City" for the poster. It looks nothing like her in real life. Twyford is the right age for the role, so why try to make her look awkward and too young? Bizarre choice.

The only disappointment in the cast was Fredericka. I never realized how important the role is to the proceedings.

I've never seen Olivera or Twyford before, and I know they are local actors, so I am assuming Dottie is referring to one of them?


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Andy51 Profile Photo
Andy51
#22A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 8/28/17 at 11:18am

I went to the show yesterday.  I had not previously seen a production of it, and my only points of reference for the show were the original and 2009 Broadway cast recordings, both of which I've listened to many times.  I also tend to be NY-centric when it comes to theater, so I was a bit apprehensive about going the regional route and did not have high expectations.  But this truly is a very fine and delightful production.  The vocals and orchestrations are, on the whole, quite strong, and in my view superior to those of the 2009 Broadway production.  The staging is economical but elegant.  I agree with doodlenyc about the standouts, and would add Will Gartshore as Carl-Magnus to the list.  I also thought Twyford was a solid Desiree.  She has a rich voice, well suited to the role, and good acting chops.  I was rather stunned to learn after the performance that this is her first role in a musical.

I don't know who the folks above were referring to as a "weak link" and with a "grimace" for her previous performances, but those comments, while perhaps justified, should not deter anyone from seeing this production.  One can certainly nitpick about aspects of certain performances in this production (as one can with many good shows), but none of the performances stood out to me as being especially weak. If you're a Sondheim fan who has not seen A Little Night Music, or who has but needs a fix, this production should be quite satisfying.  

Updated On: 8/28/17 at 11:18 AM

South Fl Marc Profile Photo
South Fl Marc
#23A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 9/2/17 at 3:00pm

Shouldn't this thread be on the main board?

SeanD2
#24A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 9/5/17 at 3:34pm

South Fl Marc said: "Shouldn't this thread be on the main board?"

Probably.

 

And based on having seen plenty in DC, I'm sure that Ms. Olivera is who other people are referring to. I've also never been wowed by her.

 

Now Maria Rizzo on the other hand... hubba hubba :)

Andy51 Profile Photo
Andy51
#25A Little Night Music - Signature Theatre, Arlington, VA
Posted: 9/5/17 at 9:24pm


And based on having seen plenty in DC, I'm sure that Ms. Olivera is who other people are referring to. I've also never been wowed by her.

Perhaps this role is particularly well-suited (or inspiring) to her, as she does a wonderful job with it.