A Little Night Music

July 28th, 2004
L.A. Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Musical, went with Troy

Hands down, one of the best Sondheim productions we've seen anywhere. It's a charming musical to begin with (Sondheim calls it Whipped Cream with Knives, lol). Add Judith Ivey, Victor Garber, Zoe Caldwell, Laura Benanti, Michele Pawk, Danny Gurwin and Mark Kudisch and you have a stellar evening of Broadway calibre Sondheim. I suppose one should expect this from The Los Angeles Opera at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Judith Ivey (whom I guiltily admit I didn't know had a competent singing voice) played Desiree to the hilt, with a kind of diguised southern charm always present. It was very effective. Desiree has to be charming and bigger than life. She can't be prim, proper and small. Victor Garber and Mark Kudisch captured your attention whenever on stage.

The set was sparse, but we just didn't care; we were to enthrawled with the songs and voices no notice.

It won Best Direction, Costume and Sound at The L.A. Drama Critic Circle Awards.