The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis makes romance in the holiday season with its production of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical comedy A Little Night Music, which opens Dec. 4. Previwes began Dec. 1 for a run through Jan. 1, 1999.

Based on the 1956 Ingmar Bergman film "Smiles of a Summer Night," A Little Night Music tells the intertwining stories of a group of lovers whose lives intersect during a weekend at a country estate. The 1973 Best Musical Tony Award winner, with music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, contains what may be Sondheim's most popular song, "Send in the Clowns," along with the well-known "A Weekend in the Country," "The Miller's Son" and "Every Day A Little Death."

Victoria Bussert (the Rep's Master Class, The Most Happy Fella) directs a cast that includes previous Rep Mainstagers Alison Bevan (Desiree Armfeldt), Scott Brush (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm), Donna English (Countess Charlotte Malcolm) and Thom Sesma (Fredrik Egerman) as well as Rich Affannato (Henrik Egerman), Marji Dodril (Madame Armfeldt), Erin Hill (Petra), Caroline Holmes (Fredrika Armfeldt) and Garrett Long (Anne Egerman). The Liebeslieder singers are D'Vorah Bailey, Jennifer Douglas Gray, Matthew Kovach, Theodora Middleton and Fabio Polanco.

A Little Night Music is designed by John Ezell (sets), James Scott (costumes) and Peter E. Sargent (lighting). Glenn R. Dunn stage manages.

For tickets, call the Rep Box Office at (314) 968-4925 or MetroTix at (314) 534-1111. Tickets are $44-$9. -- By Christine Ehren