A Weekend in the City with Bernadette and Elaine

I was thrilled to pieces when I heard that Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch were taking over the lead roles in A Little Night Music. I had never seen the famous musical, knew nothing about it except "Send in the Clowns". It would be a tragedy to miss this revival starring these two theatre legends. Seeing these ladies perform is definitely one of the most unforgettable theatre experiences of my life.
Based on an Ingmar Bergman film, Smiles of a Summer Night, it tells the story of 4 pairs of lovers. The lawyer Fredrik Egerman (Alexander Hanson---who we had the pleasure of seeing in his last performance before returning to London) is married to 19 year old Anne (Ramona Mallory), who refuses to consummate their 11 month old marriage. His sullen son Henrik (Hunter Ryan Herdlicka) wants to be a minister but is secretly carrying on with their libidinous maid Petra (Leigh Ann Larkin---look out for her 2nd Act song The Miller's Son). Fredrik reconnects with his former lover, the famous actress Desiree Armfeldt (Ms. Peters). Desiree is currently having an affair with a married dragoon, the Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Bradley Dean). The Countess Charlotte Malcolm (Erin Davie, but played by Erin Stewart the day we watched) turns out to be an old acquaintance of Anne. Did you get all that?

Desiree realizes she wants Fredrik back, and talks her mother Madame Armfeldt (Ms. Stritch) into inviting the Egermans for a weekend in the country. The Count and Countess decide to crash the party. Wackiness ensues. Who will end up with whom?
Ms. Stritch is FUNNY as the acerbic and haughty Mme. Armfeldt, who is taking care of her granddaughter Fredrika while Desiree tours. We forgive the times Ms. Stritch seemed to forget her lines because of her comic timing and her biting delivery. Ms. Peters is astounding to watch. By turns subtle, droll,tragic, but always spectacular, her pathos-filled rendition of Send in the Clowns brought me to tears.
Bradley Dean as the pompous Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm.
Kevin David Thomas. There's always a group of 4 or 5 singers (a Greek---or should we say Swedish?---chorus, if you will) who help move the story along, or just to comment on what's going on with the principal characters. Pinky pointed out that it is great to be part of this ensemble because the actors are onstage for a good portion of the show.
Keaton Whittaker, our Fredrika Armfeldt, Desiree's daughter.
Hunter Ryan Herdlicka. The cast all gave great performances. The weakest link I thought was the actress who played a shrill Anne.
Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics are elegant, exquisite even, despite the saucy plot. The book is witty and riotous. It was a night of wondrous music.
It's the marvelous Bernadette!
She was very gracious, a real class act.