Richardson, Garber, Baranski, Benanti, Kudisch and Redgrave Set for Night Music Concert

By Andrew Gans
14 Oct 2008

Laura Benanti
Laura Benanti

The Roundabout Theatre Company will present a one-night-only gala concert reading of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning A Little Night Music Jan. 12, 2009, at the Nokia Theatre Times Square.

Scott Ellis (She Loves Me, 1776, Curtains) will direct the 7:30 PM performance, which will boast the talents of Natasha Richardson (Desirée Armfeldt), Victor Garber (Frederick Egerman), Christine Baranski (Countess Charlotte Malcolm), Laura Benanti (Anne Egerman), Marc Kudisch (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm) and Vanessa Redgrave (Madame Armfeldt). Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Musical director Paul Gemignani will lead a 27-member orchestra with orchestrations penned by Jonathan Tunick.

A Little Night Music, according to press notes, "follows three lovestruck couples as they lose – and find – each other during a long midsummer night on a country estate."

A Little Night Music — featuring a score by Sondheim and a book by Wheeler — originally opened at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on Feb. 25, 1973, with a cast that included Glynis Johns as Desiree, Len Cariou as Fredrik and Hermione Gingold as Madame Armfeldt. The show, directed by Harold Prince, garnered five 1973 Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical. The Sondheim score features the composer's best-known tune, "Send in the Clowns," as well as "Every Day a Little Death," "The Miller's Son" and "A Weekend in the Country."

Proceeds will benefit the not-for-profit Roundabout Theatre Company.

Tickets, priced $150-$2,500, will be available Oct. 15-30 through an arrangement with American Express. Beginning Oct. 31 tickets will go on sale to the general public by calling (212) 719-1300 or by visiting www.roundabouttheatre.org. (Premium and reception tickets include an exclusive cast party following the performance.)

The Nokia Theatre Times Square is located at 1515 Broadway at 44th Street.