In Praise of Women

A Little Night Music

Hi ho, the Glamorous Life! It’s here! BrightSide Theatre’s 12th year, collectively entitled A Season of Passion, opens with a bang. Well, perhaps not exactly a bang, but definitely an explosion of glorious music and delightful storytelling, all presented by a cast, orchestra and team of creative artists bursting with talent. Superb and sumptuous, BrightSide’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s glorious, Tony Award-winning musical is absolutely magical.

As Sondheim’s score proclaims, the musical is “In Praise of Women.” Every female in this story, the 14-year-old Fredrika, teenage Anne and Petra, middle-age Desiree and Charlotte, and the elderly dowager, Madame Armfeldt, each have their own, individual stories to share. But Hugh Wheeler’s clever book (an adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s film, “Smiles of a Summer Night”), combined with Stephen Sondheim’s poignant lyrics and haunting melodies, primarily written in waltz time, somehow merge everyone’s story together. The result is a bittersweet and often humorous look at the human condition. In Act I, wealthy matriarch Madame Armfeldt, who has been caring for and educating her granddaughter, while her actress mother is off touring Europe, shares a wisdom that will link all the characters together. She tells the Fredrika to watch carefully, that the summer night will smile three times: first on the young, second on the fools, and third on the old. And, indeed, by last notes of the musical, it does.

 Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass’ production is sparing in its scenic element. But in doing so, he allows the stories of the many characters to dominate and fill the stage. With just a few well-chosen pieces of furniture and a couple of necessary props, the turn-of-the-century musical turns opulent. Additional lavishness is provided by Cheryl Newman’s elaborate period costumes, complemented by Roberto Puig’s stylish wigs. The rest is provided by the dramatic and musical talent, both on- and off- stage, as well as through our own imaginations.

The cast is led by Melissa Paris, as Desiree Armfeldt. This talented actress is making her auspicious BrightSide debut in this starring role. Ms. Paris portrays a once prominent and glamorous actress who’s now reduced to performing in productions that tour to small towns. Ms. Paris plays the role appropriately spirited and self-absorbed. Desiree’s a woman filled with joie de vivre. She loves her life, especially her unbridled freedom to meet, have affairs and even fall in love with handsome, exciting men. But years of touring have taught the actress that it’s finally time to settle down. 

Of her many affairs, Desiree’s heart has remained true to handsome lawyer, Fredrick Egerman, the one love of her life. Played with genteel sophistication and a beautiful baritone voice, talented Jon Cunningham is perfection. The talented actor will be familiar to BrightSide audiences for his many excellent performances, such as Georg in “She Loves Me” and Felix in “The Odd Couple.” Jon is a standout in this role, subtly conveying Fredrick’s frustration with marrying a younger bride, after losing his first wife. His chagrin is balanced by an exciting chance encounter with Desiree, the woman he will forever adore. Mr. Cunningham displays his expertise in Fredrick’s patter song of disappointment, “Now,” the lavish praise for his wife Anne in “You Must Meet My Wife” and, especially, his part in Sondheim’s best-loved song, “Send in the Clowns.” This anthem to regret is sung primarily by Desiree and is the highlight of this production. Encapsulating the entire story, the song is everything. Both Ms. Paris and Mr. Cunningham shine in this heartbreaking, eleventh hour ballad that expresses the folly of their lives.

The entire cast is a treasure. My favorite characters in this musical are the quintet, sometimes referred to as the Liebeslieder Singers. These five gifted vocalists are like a Greek Chorus, setting the scene and commenting on characters and plot points. As the ensemble, Dana Vetter, Sadie Wynne, Megan Kessel, Shane Brown and Andrew Buel are terrific. They open the show with the gently swaying “Night Waltz,” reminding theatergoers that Sondheim’s musical is about past loves and lost worlds.

Strong performances are delivered by each and every 

actor/singer. Young Anne Egerman is played with giddy girlish glee by lovely soprano, Sophie Smekens. While she loves Fredrick like a dear uncle, she’s not attracted to him physically. Henrick Egerman, Fredrick’s straight-laced, adolescent son, is nicely portrayed with youthful exuberance by Max Trotter. The young man is conflicted by his strict seminary training versus trying to deal with his raging hormones. The boy is secretly in love with Anne, his stepmother. Of course, this further complicates his life.

A veteran of many productions all over Chicagoland, Carol Brown is simply magnificent as Madame Armfeldt. She’s one of this great joys of this production. Ms. Brown, a gifted actress with a pleasant contralto voice, plays Desiree’s tenacious and opinionated mother with vigor. A former courtesan, Madame Armfeldt accumulated her wealth over the years through her many “Liaisons,” which she recounts in song. Rich yes, but sadly nostalgic for the poverty of loves she’s lost and left behind.

Desiree’s on-again, off-again lover is the staunch military dragoon, Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. He’s handsomely played by the trained, operatic baritone, Gerald Kelel. His portrayal of the Count brings us an arrogant, self-entitled misogynist. Singing the ironic, “In Praise of Women,” Carl-Magnus makes it clear how he views the fairer sex. This includes both his current mistress, Desiree, as well as his long-suffering wife, Countess Charlotte Malcom. She’s beautifully played by Julie Ann Kornak in, what I consider (along with her leading role in “Bridges of Madison County”) one of her finest performances. Ms. Kornak does this kind of character so well: the wronged woman who’s hurt but conniving and determined to seek revenge. Charlotte’s touching duet with Anne, “Every Day a Little Death” is a testament to how love can also bring pain as well as joy.

Another great performance comes from the beautiful and brilliant Jamie Marie DePaolo. She shines as Anne’s young, impetuous maid, Petra. The talents of this skilled artist have been enjoyed in BrightSide’s concert version of “City of Angels,” as well as in leading roles all over Chicagoland. Here she’s funny, feisty and sings the heck out of  “The Miller’s Son.”

And Sammy Menapace, a young veteran performer, who’s been seen on stages all over the city and suburbs, is truly Desiree’s daughter. As Fredrika Armfeldt, this 14-year-old is respectful, sweet and wide-eyed, but displays a much wiser-than-her-years knowledge of the world.   

The late Stephen Sondheim’s opulent score is musically directed and played by Sara Cate Langham’s beautiful orchestra of reeds, horns and strings. They can be seen through a filmy, undulating upstage curtain that separates the action from the symphonic ensemble. Sondheim’s masterpiece is filled with so many musical gems, but the finale to Act I, “A Weekend in the Country,” ranks as one of the five greatest songs ever written for the stage. It’s clever, filled with solos, duets, trios, dialogue and a rousing rhythm that will stay with theatergoers long after the final curtain.

 Thoughtfully staged and nicely-paced, Jeffrey Cass keeps this deceptively difficult musical in constant motion. A show that could easily be presented by an opera company, Mr. Cass offers Chicagoland theatergoers a talented cast of trained actor/singers who present this piece as true musical comedy. BrightSide Theatre’s new season explodes with this wonderful production, one of Sondheim’s finest compositions. Creatively written in waltz time, filled with mellifluous and magical music, this is a theatrical treat that’s peppered with naughty innuendos, titillating dalliances and funny flirtations—all In Praise of Women.       

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 20-November 5 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.