There’s
a lot of hanky-panky going on in this lush Stephen Sondheim musical, with an
elegant and witty book by Hugh Wheeler. Set in Sweden around the turn of the 20th
century, it’s surprising that all these cool Nordic types are so hot to trot
given the perpetual summer sun at this elevated latitude.
The
talented Porthouse cast, under the direction of Sean T. Morrissey, gives this
production a glossy texture that serves the material well. This includes an
appearance by Terri J. Kent, producing artistic director of Porthouse, in the
linchpin role of Desiree Armfeldt.
Suffice
to say that pretty much every character in this upper-class Scandinavian
community is eager for romance and the boffing that goes along with it. They’re
all so focused on fitting their naughty parts into each other, it eventually
feels like a horny Ikea assembly party, with lots of singing.
Here
are the convoluted relationships in a big, messy nutshell: The older Fredrik is
married to the 17-year-old virgin Anne, who is still virginal after 11 months of
marriage, so blue-balled Fredrik visits Desiree, his former lover who offers
him a pity boink. Frederick’s uptight son Henrik falls in love with his teenage
step-mom while Anne herself is being schooled by her maid Petra, who’s been on
Henrik’s tail, and then Desiree’s current man-toy Count Carl-Magnus gets wind
of the relationship between Desiree and Fredrik while the Count’s acid-tongued wife
Charlotte prods Anne to confront her hubby and Petra shares some time with the
servant Frid and launches into her own fantasy.
As
the night repeatedly smiles on these folks, love finds a way. It’s all overseen by Desiree’s aged
mother, Madame Armfeldt (Lenne Snively), who mostly sneers at the goings-on from her
wheelchair.
Clear
now? Of course not, and it really doesn’t matter that this is all a bit
confusing. That’s because Sondheim’s glorious music is there to lubricate the
proceedings, including the popular “Send in the Clowns.” Even if it takes you a
while to plug into all the randy stuff, swathed in yards of luxe period
costumes designed by S.Q. Campbell, it’s a journey you should be happy to take.
Standouts
in the cast include Fabio Polanco, who struts his powerful vocal wares as
Fredrik, a nubile Lucy Anders as Anne, and Kent in an often-affecting turn as
Desiree. Shamara Costa is earthy as Petra and Jim Weaver postures pompously as
the Count. Most of the laughs come from Amy Fritsche, whose Charlotte is a
constant snarky delight.
Indeed,
it’s a strong production from first to last, including the quintet that begins
each of the two acts on a wave of Greek chorus-style singing, accompanied by
conductor Jonathan Swoboda’s small but excellent string orchestra.
A
Little Night Music
Through
June 27 at Porthouse Theatre, Blossom Music Center campus, 1145 W. Steels
Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-672-3884.
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