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The Night Smiles, Once Again
Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch breathe new life into A Little Night Music
Elaine Stritch and Bernadette Peters
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When the Tony-nominated revival of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music reopens on July 13, two award-winning Broadway legends will take on the leading roles recently portrayed by Catherine Zeta Jones and Angela Lansbury. To honor this waltz-driven musical masterpiece for a while longer, Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch will assume the roles of daughter Desiree, and mother Madame Armfeldt, respectively. Since the announcement, many have wondered what these two Sondheim-alumni stars will bring to this beautifully intimate production. To search for an answer to this question, and in honor of this change, or simply “In Praise of Women,” it’s worth taking a look back at the theatrical careers of the two leading ladies about to become mother and daughter for the first time.
Curly red hair. Distinct voice. These are the unique features that make up the charismatic Bernadette Peters. While her appearance has often been made fun of (even Sean Hayes, dressed as Annie at the 2010 Tony Awards, jokingly claimed he was dressed as her), they have served her well. Her memorable presence on stage has turned this New York native into a young Broadway legend. Beginning her career at age 3, her credits include roughly two dozen plays and countless TV appearances. She is perhaps best known for originating characters in Stephen Sondheim’s other masterpieces, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Sunday in the Park with George. One cannot neglect to also mention her Tony-nominated performance as Rose in the 2003 revival of Gypsy or her Tony-winning performance in Annie Get Your Gun. But Broadway isn’t her only medium: Peters has had a recurring role on Ugly Betty, created “Broadway Barks” with Mary Tyler Moore, recorded solo albums and even wrote her own children’s book. Now she becomes the famous Desiree Armfeldt.
Here’s to the ladies who lunch! Possibly most loved for portraying Joanne in the original cast of Sondheim’s Company, Elaine Stritch has more than earned her status as a Broadway legend. Her theatrical career spans many decades, but her age has never shown. This award-winning lady was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1926. She learned her trade alongside Marlon Brando and Bea Arthur at The New School. Since the 1940s, Elaine Stritch has been blowing people away on stage. In recent years, her one-woman show, Elaine Stritch at Liberty, won her multiple awards, including a Tony, an Emmy, and a Drama Desk. Throughout the years, her timeless career has led into film and television, leading to her recurring role on 30 Rock. At age 84, Elaine Stritch now decides to take on Madame Armfeldt.
So we return to our question: what will these ladies bring to the table? The only way to find out is to see their performances in person. Isn’t it bliss! Peters and Stritch join original cast member Alexander Hanson in A Little Night Music. The show resumes on July 13 at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St.). For more information about the production and how to buy your tickets to see another delightful Sondheim revival, visit here.