Opera Theater to present ‘A Little Night Music'

BOWLING GREEN, O.—The musical that gave us such enduring songs as “Send in the Clowns” will be performed by the Bowling Green State University Opera Theater this week. “A Little Night Music” will be staged at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (March 24-26), and at 2 p.m. Sunday (March 27) in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, the musical was inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film “Smiles of a Summer Night.”

A Little Night Music” involves the lives of several couples in turn-of-the-century Sweden. A love triangle ensues when Anne, Fredrik’s 18-year old, virginal trophy wife, finds herself intrigued by her 19-year-old stepson. Because their marriage has not yet been consummated, Fredrik finds himself frustrated and attempts to rekindle his physical relationship with Desiree, the indiscriminate actress who is also intimate with the married Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm. The Liebeslieder, a sort of Greek chorus, accompanies the action.

Michael Ellison, an associate professor of theater and film, is artistic director of the production, and Dr. Emily Freeman Brown, director of orchestral activities, is the musical director.

Allison Stark from Toledo will sing the role of Fredrika Arnfeldt, Desiree’s 13-year-old daughter. BGSU voice faculty member Jane Rodgers will sing the role of Madame Arnfeldt, Desiree’s mother. Christine Amon from Grand Rapids, Mich., will sing Desiree Arnfeldt. The role of Henrik, Fredrik’s 19-year-old son, is played by Scott Sanville from Worthington. Drew Ochoa, from Toledo, will play Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm.

For ticket information, call the Moore box office weekdays from noon-6 p.m. at 1-800-589-2224 or 419-372-8171, or e-mail musictickets@bgsu.edu.

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(Posted March 21, 2011 )