The Roundabout Theatre Company has announced a one-night only gala concert reading of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning musical A Little Night Music. The star-studded event, directed by Roundabout's Scott Ellis with musical direction by Paul Gemignani, will take place January 12, 2009, at Nokia Theatre Times Square.
A Little Night Music will feature Natasha Richardson as Desiree Armfeldt, Victor Garber as Frederick Egerman, Christine Baranski as Countess Charlotte Malcolm, Laura Benanti as Anne Egerman, Marc Kudisch as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm and Vanessa Redgrave as Madame Armfeldt. Additional cast members will be announced shortly.
Night Music, which follows three lovestruck couples as they lose, and find, each other during a long midsummer night on a country estate, was last performed on Broadway over 35 years ago. The original production, which starred Len Cariou, Glynis Johns, Patricia Elliot, Hermione Gingold and Laurence Guittard, opened at the Shubert Theatre on February 25, 1973. The show later transfered to the Majestic Theatre on September 17, 1973, playing a total of 601 performances before closing on August 3, 1974. Night Music garnered Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Actress in a Musical Glynis Johns, Best Featured Actress in a Musical Patricia Elliott and Best Costume Design, as well as six Drama Desk Awards. The show is best known for its heartbreaking score, featuring songs such as "Send in the Clowns" and "The Miller's Son."
All proceeds from the event will benefit The Roundabout Theatre Company.