“A Little Night Music” opened on Broadway in 1973, with music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Sondheim, and book by Hugh Wheeler. The duo based their show on the film “Smiles of a Summer Night,” directed by Ingmar Bergman. One of the production's songs, “Send in the Clowns,” has been covered by artists from Judy Collins to Count Basie.
Since its first appearance on Broadway, the show has been produced in London's West End; by various opera houses; and is often chosen by regional theaters and universities such as Otterbein. It was revived on Broadway in 2009. A 1977 film version featured Len Cariou, who was in the original Broadway cast.
The show concerns two pairs of lovers who, because of timing, are with the wrong partners. Over the course of the performance, they realize their mistake, and all ends well. However, the tale is bittersweet, as the older couple realizes they have wasted years when they could have been together.
Otterbein University's productions consistently win praise from audiences:
“If you're looking for (almost) Broadway quality performances at a fraction of the cost, you owe it to yourself to take in one of the many shows this college puts on throughout the year.”
The show opens October 22, at 7.30 pm, for a short run. Poster printing is often used to publicize this type of performance.