"This has been an incredible experience from day one," says Molina, whose Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd and Rock of Ages. "I feel like the luckiest girl; getting to fall in love with the dreamy Jason Tam, all whilst singing some of the most gorgeous, clever, and rare Sondheim songs. The process of creating the show was extremely collaborative with director Jonathan Silverstein and music director John Bell. It felt like I was back in college, at the University of Michigan, really focusing on the simplicity of living in a space, being present, and truly acting a song. "
"Craig Lucas and Stephen Sondheim have been nothing but encouraging," Molina adds. "It has been very exciting to revise this piece, adding never-before-heard songs, cutting those songs which didn't serve our story, and making it contemporary. It is also thrilling for me to sing in so many different styles during the show; belting, high legit, jazz, oh, and, of course, play the cello, too. It seems Sondheim and the cello always find their way into my life, and I love it.
"The show is very special and sweet, and I hope you all come to see it before we close on Oct 27."
*
Keen artistic director Jonathan Silverstein stages the production that has extended its run through Oct. 27, past its original closing date of Oct. 21. In addition, two matinee performances have been added on Oct. 17 and 24. John Bell is musical director and accompanist.
This updated production of Marry Me a Little features several new songs, including "Rainbows," a duet penned for the Baker and his Wife in a previous film treatment of Into the Woods. It replaces "Two Fairytales."
Also added are "Yoo-Hoo!," cut from Sunday In the Park With George, replacing "Pour La Sport"; and the Follies song "Ah But Underneath," replacing "Uptown, Downtown."
Created by original Sweeney Todd cast member Craig Lucas and Norman René, the original Off-Broadway run of Marry Me a Little debuted in 1981 starring Lucas and Suzanne Henry at the Actors' Playhouse.
The new production has choreography by Tony Award nominee Dan Knechtges (Lysistrata Jones, Spelling Bee, Xanadu), with set design by Steven Kemp, costume design by Jennifer Paar, lighting design by Josh Bradfor and prop design by Ricola Willie.
Marry Me a Little includes such songs as "So Many People," "The Girls of Summer," "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "There Won't Be Trumpets," "Can That Boy Foxtrot," "Bang!," "Your Eyes Are Blue," "Happily Ever After," "It Wasn't Meant to Happen" and "A Moment with You."
Here's how it's billed: "Weaving together several unknown Sondheim songs, Marry Me a Little tells the charming and bittersweet tale of love, loneliness and survival of the modern single. Two single strangers, left alone in their studio apartments on a Saturday night, pass their time with sweetly secret, shared fantasies, never knowing that they're just a floor away from each other and the end of their lonely dreams."
For tickets, priced $69.95, visit Telecharge.com or phone (212) 239-6200. The Clurman Theatre is located at 410 West 42nd Street. For more information visit KeenCompany.org.
