Tales of sex, jealousy and infidelity abound in the Ball State production of the Tony Award-winning musical "A Little Night Music," directed by assistant theater professor Bill Jenkins.
"This show appeals to audiences both young and old," said Jenkins, a 1995 Ball State graduate and coordinator of the musical theater option in the Department of Theatre and Dance. "It's a biting, sarcastic, smart musical comedy that is accessible to a variety of audiences."
Set in the late 1800s, the show presents the characters' difficulty in finding the right partner.
Middle-aged Fredrik Egerman and his teen-age bride, Anne, have been married 11 months, but they have never had sex. Fredrik and Anne live in the same house with Henrik, Fredrik's son. Henrik, a divinity student who is a year older than Anne, is infatuated with her.
Fredrik and Anne go to the theater to see a show starring Desiree Armfelt, Fredrik's former lover. Noticing Fredrik in the audience, Desiree begins flirting with him. Their passion is rekindled, and Anne, realizing what is going on, becomes upset.
Desiree's current lover, Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, is also married. When he learns about Fredrik and Desiree, he convinces his wife Charlotte to tell Anne that her husband has cheated on her.
"This show has strong characters the audience will have no problem identifying with," said Mark A. Boyle, who plays Fredrik. "You'll be able to pick out a character and say, 'I know exactly what that's like.'"
"A Little Night Music," written by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, won 1973 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score (Sondheim), Best Book (Wheeler), Best Actress in a Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. The show features "Send in the Clowns," one of Sondheim's most recognizable songs. Sondheim's other well-known shows include "West Side Story," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and "Into the Woods."
"This is a great show with an amazing cast and awesome direction," said Melissa Blue, who plays Charlotte. "The audience will have a great time."
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