The production is the Scott Ellis-Susan Stroman staging that played at the New York City Opera in March 2003. The L.A. run is set to open July 10 at the 3,086-seat Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Garber (as Fredrik Egerman) and Ivey (as Desiree Armfeldt) replace the original cast members Jeremy Irons and Juliet Stevenson — who have pulled out due to scheduling conflicts. Caldwell will take on the role of Madame Armfeldt — played in the New York run by Claire Bloom.
Garber (Assassins, "Alias"), Caldwell (Master Class) and Ivey (Follies, Hurlyburly) join original cast members Marc Kudisch, Michele Pawk, Daniel Gurwin, Jessica Boevers, Stephanie Woodling, James Schaffner and Michael Chioldi. Also joining the cast for the L.A. run are Laura Benanti (Nine, Into the Woods), Kristen Bell (Tom Sawyer, Reefer Madness) as well as Joohee Choi, Laura Kay Swanson, Hank Stratton, Maureen Dodson and Allison Prival. Ashley Rose Orr will play the role of Fredrika at some performances.
Director Scott Ellis and choreographer Susan Stroman collaborated on the City Opera staging of the 1973 Tony Award-winning show. John DeMain returns as conductor for the production which features the original design team of Michael Anania (set), Lindsay W. Davis (costume) and Kenneth Posner (lighting).
The L.A. staging will mark the Los Angeles company's first-ever summer presentation. The L.A. Opera debuted in 1986 and is currently run by artistic director Edgar Baitzel with renowned tenor Plácido Domingo serving as general director. A Little Night Music, which is set in turn-of-the-century Sweden, opened on Broadway Feb 25, 1973 at the Shubert Theatre. It transferred to the Majestic Theatre later that year and played there through Aug. 3, 1974. The musical featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim with a book by Hugh Wheeler was inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film "Smiles of a Summer Night." Harold Prince directed the original Broadway staging with choreography by Patricia Birch. The work, which features the well-known song "Send in the Clowns," won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book among others.
Los Angeles Opera production of A Little Night Music, will play at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Music Center of Los Angeles County, located at 135 North Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. For more information, call (213) 972-8001 or visit the website at www.losangelesopera.com.
